Abang Huzairie Abang Ali (L) of Institute of Higher Learning Lions in action against Vincent Lawrence of Jerudong International School Bulls on the final day of the 2nd Brunei Squash League on Tuesday. BT/ Ak Fauzi Pg Salleh
Brunei's national squash players are now turning their attention to regional tournaments following the conclusion of the 2nd Brunei Squash League campaign on Tuesday.
Brunei will be sending three players to Jakarta in May to compete at the Kijono Cup Open Squash Championship 2014.
The country will be represented by Abang Huzairie Abang Ali, Rosman Roslin and Hj Sufri Hj Abdul Hamid in the Grade A men's category at the Gelora Bung Karno Squash Complex from May 16-18.
"This will be my second time competing in Jakarta but it will be my first time competing in the main sports complex of Gelora Bung Karno," said Abang Huzairie in an interview with The Brunei Times yesterday.
"As for a target, I will see how my fitness is, leading up to the tournament in three months time because the Indonesian players are well known for their excellent fitness.
"Also, we need to work on our game plan and try to improve it. Then we can set up proper targets for this tournament," he said, adding that players from Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand are expected to lace up in Jakarta.
The other categories on offer are the Open Men's and Women's category, Under-17 Men's and Women's category and Under-15 Men's and Women's category.
"I am trying to get permission from the squash association to use the stadium's court, and while waiting for their approval we have to find our own places to train," continued Abang Huzairie, who finished 14th out of 64 players in Division 1 of the Singapore Squash Invitational Open 2013 in December.
The other Bruneian who competed at last year's tournament, Muhd Kamaluddin Bakar, also finished in the top half of the division in 24th place.
"We are training with each other at the moment and I am able to use my experience from my coaching course last year for the training programmes," said Abang Huzairie.
"As for match-practice, we get help from the stronger players such as Mokhsin Khan from the Hawks and Vincent Lawrence from JIS Bulls once a week.
"This year will be a very busy year for us as we are looking to compete in regional tournaments in Sarawak in August and Singapore at the end of the year," added Abang Huzairie, who played for Institute of Higher Learning (IPT) Lions in the 2nd Brunei Squash League.
IPT Lions finished fourth in the league after recording 88 points in the five-team league table.
The Hawks was crowned champions at the Squash Centre of the Hassanal Bolkiah National Sports Complex in Berakas on Tuesday after recording 119 points, ahead of second-placed National Stadium Team who notched 98 points.
The Jerudong International School (JIS) Bulls were third with 91 points while the Army Team were last with 67 points.
The tournament, which was sanctioned by the Brunei Racquet Squash Association, was co-organised by1stopbrunei.com and JIS to help develop young squash players and to promote the sport in the country.
