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NEWS & EVENTS
Brunei squash gains exposure in 2013, aims for more in 2014
Thursday, December 26, 2013






The country's squash players are hoping to represent the country on bigger stages in the future following their successful campaigns this year, but are taking things one step at a time.

"We are looking at three to four or five tournaments abroad next year," said Abang Muhd Huzairie Abang Ali, who competed at the recently concluded Singapore Squash Invitational Open 2013.

"I hope that we would be able to represent the country in Southeast Asian (SEA) Games in 2015 if there is any chance that we can go, but two years is not that very long time to prepare and we must plan carefully," he said.

"We can confirm that we have been invited for the Squashermania Tournament in Malaysia in March, Indonesia's Jakarta Open in May, the PJ Open, Malaysia in September and also the Singapore Open in December," he added.

"Then there is the Brunei's National Sports Festival middle of the year, so lots of tournaments to look forward to which is interesting," said Abang Muhd Huzairie who finished 14th out of 64 players competing in the Division 1 of the Singapore Squash Invitational Open 2013 on Sunday.

Meanwhile, another Bruneian competing in the tournament, Muhd Kamaludin Abu Bakar, also finished in the top half of the division in 24th place.

It was an eventful year for the squash community this year after Muhd Shavez Cheema created history when he became the first Bruneian to reach the second round of the Petaling Jaya Squash Open in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in October.

Muhd Shavez achieved his target of reaching the second round of the tournament after defeating Ahmed Hamez 3-0 in the first round.

He then bowed out of the competition after losing 3-0 to Dheez in the second round.

Abang Muhd Huzairie, meanwhile, lost 3-0 to Brandon Leong in the opening round of the Division 2 event.

Abang Muhd Huzairie came into the tournament after winning silver in the men's open category of the Sarawak Squash Circuit in Miri in September.

He lost 3-0 to compatriot Hj Mohd Sufri Hj Abdul Hamid in an- all Bruneian final, a first on their travels, at the Squash Academy in Pei Lin Middle School.

Muhd Shavez, meanwhile, finished sixth in the 16-player tournament.

This year also saw the first Brunei Squash League being introduced in an effort to help develop young squash players and to promote the sport in the country.

All thanks to the organiser, 1stopbrunei.com, a website that promotes Brunei 's creative talents and local startups.

The league, which was sanctioned by the Brunei Squash Racquet Association, also hopes to raise the sport's profile among Bruneians.

Five teams were vying for honours in the first edition of the league including two teams comprising individuals from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces ( ABDB), one from Jerudong International School and another two teams called the Young Lions and Bru Lions.

Young Lions which consisted of Abang Muhd Huzairie, Muhd Shavez, Mohsin Khan and Muhd Kamaluddin emerged champions in the inaugural tournament after recording 135 points in May, meanwhile, their senior team, Bru Lions, were second on 130 points.

The 2nd Brunei Squash League kicked off in November and currently going through a break and will only resume early in January.

After Singapore confirmed that squash will be in the list of sports for the 2015 SEA Games, Brunei have been invited to send a team of 4 players to participate.

It will be the first time squash will be included in the games after a prolonged absence and Brunei's squash players will be looking to keep their momentum going for a chance to fly the flag for Brunei.

Courtesy from Brunei Times