Malaysia’s squash queen Datuk Nicol David will greet fans in Hypp TV’s latest celebrity special, writes Dennis Chua
HYPP TV’s channel Trace Sport Stars HD (710) zooms in on national squash icon Datuk Nicol Ann David this month.
The channel’s Entourage programme focuses on sports celebrities and offers a behind-the-scenes look at their careers and lifestyles.
Viewers will get to see Nicol at her training base in Amsterdam.
The programme will also reveal some less known facts about the popular sportswoman from Penang.
During a recent phone interview from Amsterdam, Nicol said she enjoyed every moment participating in the hour-long show, where she is the show’s first Malaysian sports personality. “It was fun spending a day with the camera, it’s always been a good friend to me.”
While fans get to see Nicol training hard in the Netherlands’ capital city, her “second home” for 11 years now, they will also learn how she chills — drawing, and going to concerts and art galleries.
“I love Amsterdam because it’s cosmopolitan, has very nice people and a lively arts scene. Its colourful culture makes it very conducive for sports training, too.”
Nicol loves Amsterdam’s music concerts and street dances which are a blend of various cultures. “Some of my favourite singers and musicians — India Arie, Ministry Of Sound, John Legend, Missy Elliot and TLC, are popular here too.”
Nicol loves the legendary Dutch painter Vincent Van Gogh and it was here that she became acquainted with his colourful and tragic life visiting art galleries.
“Van Gogh was an artist ahead of his time,” she says, adding that Don McLean’s song Vincent which is dedicated to his memory, nicely summarises his life.
As a squash champion, Nicol has many fans in the Netherlands, and the kingdom’s national airline KLM Royal Dutch Airlines made her its official brand ambassador last year.
Entourage shows that Nicol first played squash when she was 5, at Bukit Dumbar Sports Complex in her hometown George Town in Penang. “While I was exposed to squash at a young age, I began to take regular lessons when I was 8, training thrice a week.
“Squash was initially a hobby and during my schooldays, I also played volleyball, basketball, and was involved in athletics and swimming.”
Expected to return to Malaysia next Tuesday for the Malaysian Open in Kuala Lumpur, Nicol is the world’s No.1 woman squash player and holds records for winning the most (seven) women’s open titles (2005-2006 and 2008-2012) and most consecutive women’s open titles (2008-2012).
“Besides the Malaysian Open, I’m also preparing for the Hong Kong Open and Asian Games later this year. The year’s been very exciting, and winning big in the Commonwealth Games was a morale booster.”
Since 2002, Nicol has been the national goodwill ambassador for the United Nations Development Programme. In this capacity she speaks to Malaysians on the environment, IT, HIV/AIDS awareness and the empowerment of women.
Having done well in her studies (she scored seven As for her Penilaian Menengah Rendah and Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia examinations), she credits playing squash as making her more focused. “My parents are teachers and they have always been supportive of me. They taught me to manage my time effectively. Playing squash also helped me concentrate better in my studies.”
Mathematics was her best subject and she dreamt of becoming an engineer before finding her true calling in sports. She revealed that her most memorable moment was winning her first international title in Hong Kong in 2005.
“That was a dream come true. A moment I’ll cherish forever and the real start of my journey to become a world champion.”
While her biggest passion is squash, she loves watching sports programmes and admires Michael Johnson, Usain Bolt, Michael Jordan and Roger Federer. “I salute them for being passionate and hardworking in their respective sports. I’m so inspired by them because they have the passion to reach for the stars.”
Nicol feels blessed to be an athlete because her journey has taken her around the world, and opened her mind.
“I love travelling and getting to know people and cultures. Being a sportswoman has made it happen, beyond my dreams.”
Does she have a special diet? “No, I just eat moderately, and adapt to various cuisine. But back home, I love kuay teow, and the best of it is at Cameron Hawker Centre in George Town.”
Nicol believes that Entourage is an excellent avenue to promote squash, in it she shares useful tips with fans. “I always believe that we should love what we do and do what we love. It’s best to follow your dreams and work hard to achieve success.”
Entourage’s spotlight on Nicol David will be screened at 9pm on Tuesday. Trace Sports Stars is available at www.trace.tv/en/tv/sport.