NATIONAL junior squash player Noor Ainaa Amani Ampandi is disappointed that this year’s World Junior Squash Championships has been cancelled.
Due to the global Covid-19 pandemic, the World Squash Federation (WSF) have called off the world junior individual and team meets, which were supposed to take place in Gold Coast, Australia, on July 19-30.
It is certainly a devastating blow for Ainaa, who is in her final year as a junior and will now miss the opportunity to end her junior career on a high.
“I was so frustrated when I heard the news because it was supposed to be my last outing at the world juniors. I had worked so hard to prepare myself for this,” said Ainaa.
“My coaches had even given me a target for it. I was feeling confident at doing well this year and all the work was put in to meet the target.
“This is definitely not the way I had hoped to end my junior career.”
The Asian Juniors, scheduled in Qingdao, China in June, has also been postponed indefinitely.
Ainaa, who turned 18 last month, is, however, taking out her disappointment in the kitchen.
She now cooks in her parents’ house in Rawang.
“Even though I’m frustrated and disappointed, I’m still keeping myself active and occupied so that I can be in good shape when we are allowed back to train after the Movement Control Order (MCO).
“I am now learning how to cook dishes. Apart from cooking, I also complete my daily workout programme provided by the coaches.
“I’ve made curry mee, beef curry, turmeric fried chicken (ayam masak kunyit) and even bubble milk tea.
“Of course, I’m not particularly talented in the kitchen and squash will still be my career choice once the MCO ends.
“Without the world juniors, I’m now looking forward to the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Tour. I hope to break into the top 100 this year,” added Ainaa, ranked No 165 in the world.
That too, however, may take some time after the PSA extended their suspension of the tour from April to July.