AZLAN Iskandar will attempt to qualify for the main draw of the CIMB
Malaysian Open today but that does not mean the former World No 10 is
making a competitive return to squash.
Instead, the sole purpose of Azlan playing in his first PSA Tour tournament in two years is to prepare for the Incheon Asian Games, where he hopes to help Malaysia win the team gold medal which eluded the country in 2010.
Three-time Malaysian Open winner Azlan, 32, who fulfilled a lifelong ambition by winning the Asian Games men’s individual gold in Guangzhou four years ago, is only taking a break from retirement.
“I just need competitive matches for the Asian Games,” said Azlan, who faces Kuwait’s Ammar Altamimi in his first qualifying round match in Bukit Jalil today.
“I’m not aiming for a comeback. The goal is to assist and make sure we have the best chance at winning the (men’s team) gold medal next month.”
Azlan played two matches at the Asian Team Championships in June in Hong Kong where Malaysia were runners-up to Pakistan and one leg of the Malaysian Squash Tour after winning a trial to earn a spot in the Asian Games squad.
For now, Azlan hopes to make the Malaysian Open main draw where he could come up against the likes of national teammates Ong Beng Hee and Nafiizwan Adnan, 2012 Malaysian Open winner Tarek Momen of Egypt or Hong Kong’s Max Lee.
“I think qualifying for the first round would be good enough,” said Azlan. “At the Asian Games, I’ll be tested for two hard matches, maximum. So I have to make sure by then I’ll be able to back up for two or three matches.”
Azlan last played on the PSA Tour at the 2012 Kuala Lumpur Open where he was beaten by Nafiizwan in the first round while suffering from an injury which eventually led to his decision to retire in September that year, having won 13 PSA Tour titles.
l MALAYSIA qualified for the knockout stage of the Men’s World Junior Team Championship after winning both their opening Pool E matches over Zimbabwe and South Africa 3-0 in Windhoek, Namibia on Saturday.
Syafiq Kamal and Ng Eain Yow played in both matches while Darren Chan replaced Ong Sai Hung in the win over South Africa.
Seeded fifth, Malaysia were playing Ireland late yesterday to determine first place in the pool.
By DEVINDER SINGH - NST
Instead, the sole purpose of Azlan playing in his first PSA Tour tournament in two years is to prepare for the Incheon Asian Games, where he hopes to help Malaysia win the team gold medal which eluded the country in 2010.
Three-time Malaysian Open winner Azlan, 32, who fulfilled a lifelong ambition by winning the Asian Games men’s individual gold in Guangzhou four years ago, is only taking a break from retirement.
“I just need competitive matches for the Asian Games,” said Azlan, who faces Kuwait’s Ammar Altamimi in his first qualifying round match in Bukit Jalil today.
“I’m not aiming for a comeback. The goal is to assist and make sure we have the best chance at winning the (men’s team) gold medal next month.”
Azlan played two matches at the Asian Team Championships in June in Hong Kong where Malaysia were runners-up to Pakistan and one leg of the Malaysian Squash Tour after winning a trial to earn a spot in the Asian Games squad.
For now, Azlan hopes to make the Malaysian Open main draw where he could come up against the likes of national teammates Ong Beng Hee and Nafiizwan Adnan, 2012 Malaysian Open winner Tarek Momen of Egypt or Hong Kong’s Max Lee.
“I think qualifying for the first round would be good enough,” said Azlan. “At the Asian Games, I’ll be tested for two hard matches, maximum. So I have to make sure by then I’ll be able to back up for two or three matches.”
Azlan last played on the PSA Tour at the 2012 Kuala Lumpur Open where he was beaten by Nafiizwan in the first round while suffering from an injury which eventually led to his decision to retire in September that year, having won 13 PSA Tour titles.
l MALAYSIA qualified for the knockout stage of the Men’s World Junior Team Championship after winning both their opening Pool E matches over Zimbabwe and South Africa 3-0 in Windhoek, Namibia on Saturday.
Syafiq Kamal and Ng Eain Yow played in both matches while Darren Chan replaced Ong Sai Hung in the win over South Africa.
Seeded fifth, Malaysia were playing Ireland late yesterday to determine first place in the pool.
By DEVINDER SINGH - NST
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