YOUNGSTER C. Ameeshenraj believes his Podium Programme inclusion will further boost his squash career.
Ameeshenraj, who hails from Negri Sembilan, and United States-based Sanjay Jeeva were absorbed into the Podium Programme following their respective performances at the World Team Squash Championships (WTSC), which ended in Tauranga, New Zealand on Sunday.
World No. 136 Ameeshenraj and Sanjay together with Addeen Idrakie were in the national team that finished 11th in the WTSC, achieving their top-12 target.
The 19-year-old Ameeshenraj, who has been studying and training in Bristol for the last two years, said: "I'm really grateful and happy to be in the Podium Programme.
"I am only 19, and it is a dream to be part of an elite initiative. The inclusion will inspire me to train harder and do well on the PSA Tour.
"My target is to play 12 tournaments next year and win some of them. It will help me break into the top 90," said Ameeshenraj, who turned professional in 2019.
Among his impressive results this year were winning the PSNS President's Trophy in Seremban in June and upsetting national No. 4 Syafiq Kamal in the quarter-finals of the National Championships in Bukit Jalil in August, which he bowed out in the semi-finals.
Ameeshenraj will return to Bristol next month to resume training under his coaches, John Welton and Hadrian Stiff.
National No. 1 Ng Eain Yow also trains in Bristol.
Ameeshenraj, who is studying business management in Bristol, also thanked his parents for covering his expenses to study and train in England.