FOR the first time in 18 years, Malaysia will host the World Junior Championships at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil on July 30-Aug 9.
The last time Malaysia hosted the event was in Penang in 2001, which turned out to be an emotional affair for local fans.
Nicol David successfully defended the girls’ individual title that year but she failed to lead Malaysia to glory in the team event, losing 2-1 to England in the final.
Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) director of coaching Major (Rtd) S. Maniam hopes for a better show from his charges this time.
“Nicol won the 2001 world junior meet individual final and led Malaysia to the team final,” said Maniam at the launch of the tournament in Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
“Nicol won the opening match in the team final. In the second match, Tricia Chuah was 2-1 up and led 10-6 in the fourth against England’s Laura Massaro.
“But she lost that point and went on to lose that game as well as the deciding game. We also lost the third match.
“It was really a heartache having come within one point from winning the title.
“We came close again in the final in New Zealand two years ago.
“I certainly hope we will not end the competition disappointed this time.”
Egypt will be Malaysia's main obstacle in the girls’ team competition.
Malaysia will be led by three-time British Junior Open champion Aifa Azman and two-time Asian Junior champion Chan Yiwen along with Ooi Kah Yan and Aina Ampandi in the girls’ team.
They will also play in the individual event.
The boys’ individual competition will feature Siow Yee Xian, Darryl Gan, Duncan Lee, Amir Amirul Azhar, Adam Agan Aziz and Danial Nurhaqiem.
The boys’ team event will only be held next year.