KUALA LUMPUR: Squash players C. Ameeshenraj and J. Yasshmita, who are based in Bristol, will have to sacrifice Deepavali tomorrow as training and tournaments take precedence.
Ameeshenraj and Yasshmita, both 20, have been based in England since 2021. They are doing a degree in business management at the University of West England (UWE) and are also part of the university's squash programme.
The Seremban-born Ameeshenraj returned home last year to celebrate Deepavali with his family, but this time he will be competing in the Gradignan Challenger, a PSA event, in France, from Oct 30-Nov 3.
He has received a first round bye, and will meet either David Bernet of Switzerland or Joel Arscott of New Zealand on Deepavali day,
Ameeshenraj will join Yasshmita in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) league, the main inter-varsity competition in the United Kingdom, on Nov 9 before heading home to play in the ACE Malaysia Squash Cup from Nov 12-17.
"It's always tough not being home to celebrate Deepavali with my family. I've been here (in Bristol) since 2021 and have missed years of Deepavali," said the World No. 114.
"I was lucky enough that the ACE Malaysia Cup was held closer to Deepavali last year, so I was able to return home and celebrate.
"But sacrificing my favourite time of the year for a tournament is massive for me and this definitely acts as fuel to do well in the Gradignan Open."
Ameeshenraj and Yasshmita have been improving under John Welton, the head coach at UWE, and this is also a reason for them to stay back in Bristol and prepare for the ACE Malaysia Cup.
Though Ameeshenraj won't be spending Deepavali with his parents, M. Chandaran and B. Amelamery, and his brother Kishenraj, he will attend some celebration organised by UWE's Indian society.
"Usually in Bristol, I have classes and training on the festival day. I will go out with my friends to have some Indian delicacies. UWE Indian and Tamil societies will also have their Deepavali celebration events that are pretty fun to attend as well."
Meanwhile World No. 87 Yasshmita finished second in the Open de International Féminin De Couzeix-Limoges in France on Saturday and will turn out for UWE in a BUCS league match against the University of Birmingham on Nov 9.
She has not celebrated Deepavali with her family in Malaysia since 2021. She did return to Seremban last year, but her grandfather, V. Viveganan, died just days before Deepavali and there was no celebration due to the mourning period.
"I have missed about four years of Deepavali and I am sad for not being able to return home to be with my family. I have training and tournaments to focus on," said Yasshmita.
"I couldn't return because of the important match against Birmingham where I will play against Hana Ismail of Egypt. I lost to her in the ACE event in Malaysia last month and I want to avenge that defeat and also give UWE the edge."
Yasshmita, who won't be celebrating the Festival of Lights tomorrow with her parents, V. Jadishkumar and S. Sheela, and her sisters, Shirijah and Samirraa, will join Ameeshenraj and their UWE friends in Bristol instead.