'Mr Squash' returns

 Squash’s main man Maniam returns

Subramaniam Singaraveloo or better known as Mej (Rtd) S. Maniam returns to Malaysia to take up the Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia’s (SRAM) director of coaching post on July 1 after imparting his expertise in India for 14 years.

The former Malaysian national squash champion, national coach, Director of Coaching and affectionately known “Mr Squash of Malaysia” is certainly the most decorated Asian squash personality having been inducted to the Asian Squash Federation in 2009 and besides his consultant coach position in India, he was also the Director of Coaching for the Asian Squash Federation (ASF) and is still the director of the World Squash Federation (WSF) coaching and development committee. He has conducted more than 200 coaching courses at various levels.

The 62-year-old who will return to Malaysia on the third week on June was contacted by Mailsport’s TONY MARIADASS in Chennai and below he answers 10 questions…..

Mailsport: What made you return?

Mej Maniam: During his tenure as president of SRAM, Datuk Sani Karim invited me to return as Director of Coaching. But it did not work out at that time. The current president Huang Ying How then asked me sometime late last year. My contract with India was up for renewal in October 2016. I spoke with Mr N.Ramachandran, the patron of SRFI, expressing my desire to take up the Malaysian offer. After some discussions he reluctantly gave me his blessings. I had served Indian squash 14 years.

My family were happy as they wanted me back. My two daughters had moved back a few years ago.

My 17 years with SRAM was enjoyable and fruitful and I wanted to work with them again.

Mailsport: Who played significant role in your squash journey?
Mej Maniam: When I left in 2002 I had the blessings of two very important people in my squash career. Tan Sri Tunku Imran who was responsible for my coaching career and Tan Sri Mokhzani who was then the president of SRAM. In fact, Tan Sri Mokhzani wanted me back after a couple of years of my departure. I will never forget the support they provided throughout.

I am glad that I am finally returning to give back to squash in Malaysia. It has been an incredible journey for me.

Mailsport: How long will your contract be for?

MM: Two years.

Mailsport: What are your plans and what do you hope to achieve. What needs to be done? Is two years enough to revamp squash scene?

MM: SRAM  doing are well. I  may make small changes to see better results. I would like to focus on SRAM’s coach education programme. We need to bring many of the experienced local coaches up to speed with the rest of the advanced countries in squash. We need to continue improving our ‘bench strength’. The National Junior Development Programme would probably require a full time supervisor. I’d like to see Malaysian squash take back its rightful place as the world’s top four in men’s, women’s, junior men and junior women. Two years may not be sufficient for this to happen. I’d like to see another world champion (junior or senior- in addition to Nicol and Ong Beng Hee) emerge from Malaysia in the near future.

Mailsport: How was your tenure in India and what were your significant achievements?

MM: Besides being a coaching consultant in India, I conducted coaching and umpires courses, umpired, trained technical officials and helped out in the administration.

It was enjoyable and memorable tenure. I had a fantastic team with me. ASF Coach of the year Cyrus Poncha has been a great understudy and is more than ready to take the reins over from me. Mr. Ramachandran was a pillar of strength. He gave me a free hand to handle coaching. I set up a coach education programme, a National Junior development programme and a structured junior and elite training system.

Saurav Ghosal’s British Junior Open U19 title, Asian Games Gold (men) and Dipika Pallkai and Joshna Chinappa winning the 2014 Commonwealth gold (women) brings fond memories.

Mailsport: How do you see the squash world today compared to your playing days and since Nicol made her impact?

MM : Squash has evolved with new courts, equipment, scoring and refereeing. The quality of the squash court floors allows players to play and train longer and harder without too many injuries caused by the hard floors of yesteryear. The rackets are lighter and generate more power. This allows additional use of wrist for deception and short kills. The point a rally scoring is entertaining and encourages players to be adventurous at the right time. Stricter refereeing ensures the game flows without too much interference. Today’s players are extremely fit, fast and powerful. Specialist physical trainers are becoming a norm at the elite level. Sports science is playing a pivotal role in the grooming of world class squash players. The media (print, digital and social) have played an important role. Budding youngsters, these days are watching and learning via their mobile phones.

Mailsport: Do you see Malaysian players making an impact?

MM: Not having studied the full spectrum of players in the country I can only guess. Ng Eain Yeow and Sivasangari come to mind.

Delia Arnold showed her true mettle during the British Open in September 2015 where she beat Raneem El Weilily to make the semis. It was an outstanding performance. This only shows she has it in her to make top 10 at least. Need to look at her plans and take it from there.

Mailsport: How do you see Nicol's present form and will she be able to regain the world No 1  position?

MM: Nicol has been flying our flag proudly in the international arena for more than a decade now. She has been able to maintain her supreme fitness. The 17 inch tin requires her to be quicker and more aggressive. Players need to use the front of the court productively which I am sure Nicol is working on. Having worked with Nicol, before I can assure you one thing - she never ever gives up. She will give everything she has to regain her number one spot. It will not be easy but I am confident with slight modifications in her game and training, Nicol can be world No 1 again

Mailsport: How do you see the current coaching set-up with SRAM?

MM: I first travelled with Ong Beng Hee, when he played in the Scottish Junior Open (Under-11). Since then I have seen him grow into a world class squash player. Now he is a national coach at SRAM and I look forward to working with him yet again. Peter Genever whom I have met on several occasions is soft spoken and has been doing a great job with all the players at SRAM. Andrew Cross has done a great job with Eain Yeow. My old friend Raymond Arnold carries years of experience.

 In the team I shall be working with Peter Chee, the coaching Chairman and Leslie Ponnampalam and I am really looking forward to it because I think we have a great team. 

Together as a team and with full support from Datuk Ahmad Shapawi (Ismail) from the National Sports Council, I think we can take SRAM a notch higher.

Mailsport: Do you still play squash? What about your three daughters?

What do you do during your leisure time?

MM: I still play squash but mainly doubles. Of my three daughters (Venisha Mani, Ashrena Mani and Jesheila Mani), only Jesheila the youngest took up the game. She played as a junior in Malaysia and a little in India. Due to studies she quit. She has a bachelors in economics and runs an Internet marketing company called Chammak selling Indian products. My oldest has a masters in psychology and is employed by Institute Sukan Negara (National Sports Institute). The middle one, Ash, is with us in India. I love golf and reading.

BIO DATA: SUBRAMANIAM SINGARAVELOO (Maj. S.Maniam (Rtd))

CONSULTANT COACH - SQUASH RACKETS FEDERATION OF INDIA

DIRECTOR OF COACHING & DEV. WORLD SQUASH FEDERATION (WSF)

Bio-Data

D.O.B:                                 11 March 1954

Place of Birth:                    Kuala Lumpur

Nationality:                        Malaysian

Marital Status:                   Married with three daughters

Malaysian Armed Forces: 1972 - 1992

Graduated:                         Military Academy- Portsea, Australia 1975

Appointments:

1983-1985                           Assistant National Coach - SRAM

1986-2002                           National Chief Coach - SRAM 

1990-2013                           Director of Coaching - ASF

1999-2002                           Chairman-Malaysian Sports Coaches Assoc.

1995 - 2000                         Consultant Coach - WSF

1995 - 2009                         Coaching Committee - WSF

1997- 2012                          Seeding Panel - WSF & ASF

1996-2000                           Referee Advisor - WSF

1997-1998                           International Referee - WSF

2002- Current                    Consultant Coach SRFI

2009 - 2012                         Referee Appointments Review Panel-WSF

1990 - 2011                         Director of Coaching - ASF

2009 Nov - current            Director of Coaching and Development - WSF

Awards:                                           

1980, 1983, 1984, 1985       Sportsman of the year for Squash - Malaysia

1980                                     Player of the Year - East Asia

1985                                     Sportsman of the Year - Armed Forces

1998                                     Coach of the Year - Malaysia (all sports)

1999                                     WSF Award for work done in China

2009                                     ASF Hall of Fame

2012                                     WSF Award of Recognition

Squash Career:

1976                                    Started squash

1978 -1988                          Armed Forces Champion

1978 - 1986                         Represented Malaysia

1980 and 1985                    Malaysian National Champion

1980                                    Player of the year - East Asia

1980 and 1981                   SRAM Closed Champion

1983                                    Malaysian Closed Champion

1984 and 1985                    National Circuit Champion (Guinness)

Coaching Qualifications:

1980                                      Level 1

1981                                      Level 1 Course Tutor

1982                                      Level 2                                 

1983                                     Assistant National Coach-Malaysia                           

1983                                     Level 2 Course Tutor

1986                                     National Chief Coach                              

1986                                     Level 3 (England)

1989                                     Level 3 Course Tutor

Achievements as Coach

·     Worked with players who became Commonwealth Games Women’s Doubles champions, Asian Games champions, World Junior men’s and women’s champions, British Junior Open champions and winners of several other international titles.

·        Successfully groomed coaches in the region. Some of whom are Allan Soyza (Director of Coaching-Malaysia), Aaron Soyza - Coach to former world no.6 (Low Wee Wern), Raymond Arnold (National Coach -Malaysia), Peter Chee (National Development officer-Malaysia), Cyrus Poncha (National Coach and Recipient of the highest coaching award in India- the Dronacharya Award) and many other elite coaches

·        Created and implemented the Coach Education Programme for the Asian Squash Federation, Malaysia and India.

·        Initiated the WSF Coach Education Programme.

·        Created and implemented the Sportexcel Junior Squash Circuit - Malaysia

·        Compiled and successfully implemented the National Junior Development     Programme and the Long Term Development Programme in Malaysia and   India

·        Introduced an Instructors course to the Asian Squash Federation

·        Lectured at the World Coaching and Development Conference (Malaysia,    Brazil, Sweden, Poland) WSF AGM (KL, Austria, New Zealand,  Philadelphia, Nice) and all coaching conferences in Asia.

·        Conducted more than 100 coaching courses, seminars and coaching clinics   around the world

Outstanding achievement of Teams

Malaysia     -            East Asian Champions - Senior and Junior

-            Asian Junior Champions - Junior Men and Junior Women

-                Asian Champions -Men and Women

-                World Junior Women - 2^nd

India             -           World Junior Men’s Team -4^th

  -               World Junior Women’s Team - 3^rd

  -           World Men’s Doubles - 2^nd

                       -           International Invitation Doubles – Women’s - 1st

                       -           Asian Men’s Team - 2^nd

   -          Asian Women’s Team - 1^st

   -          Asian Junior Men’s Team - 1^st

   -          Asian Junior Women’s Team – 1^st 

   -          Asian Games - Men-Individual Silver, Women Bronze

   -          Asian Games - Men’s Team- Gold and Women’s Team -                                    Silver

   -          Commonwealth Games – Women’s Doubles – Gold

   -          Commonwealth Youth Games – Boys Individual Bronze and         Mixed Doubles silver

Outstanding Achievement - Individuals

Malaysia      

Nicol David              World Junior Champion

Ong Beng Hee          World Junior Champion

India 

             

Saurav Ghosal        British Junior Open - Champion, Asian Junior

                                  2^nd, Asian Games - Bronze.  Joshna Chinappa    British                                             Junior Open          

                                  Champion, Asian Junior -

             Champion, WISPA Satellite Winner, 

              CWG-Women’s Doubles Gold, Arjuna Award

Parth Sharma          National Jr. Champion

Dipika Pallikal        Asian Junior Champion - U15, Asian Games -                                               Bronze, CWG-Women’s Doubles Gold, Arjuna                                            Award

Anaka Alankamony   Asian Jr. Champion, Youngest WISPA satellite      winner, Arjuna Award

Ravi Dixit                 Asian Junior Champion

Harinder Pal Singh  PSA Satellite Winner, National Champion

Kush Kumar             Asian Junior Champion (U17) Asian Youth 

    Games  - Gold, World Jr. 2014 - Bronze, BJO           2015 Bronze

                     Velavan S                 Commonwealth Youth Games -  Bronze

                      Harshit Kaur/Velavan Commonwealth Youth Games - Mixed                                                                          Doubles - Silver

Other contributions

Created and helped implement the ASF Performance and Coaching Awards

Initiated the Asian annual individual junior championships

Initiated the WSF annual individual junior championships

Please respect athletes

 

Commentary

To even ask squash queen Nicol David whether she is considering retirement in view of her current form is unconscionable.

Yet many have been quick to dismiss her after she failed to defend her world title last week, losing to Egyptian Nour El Sherbini, the eventual champion, in the quarterfinals.

It is very sad that Nicol is getting this kind of treatment after having brought this nation so much glory all these years – 80 wins and 20 runner-up WISPA titles, eight world titles, five wins and two runner-up titles at the British Open, ten Hong Kong Open titles, five Qatar Classic titles, eight wins and three runner-up Malaysian Open titles and a host of Asian and World Games titles.

Yes, it is all about being a champion and the best in one's sport but sometimes we have to look at the background of these athletes, their sacrifices, their achievements and, above all, their unquenchable desire to bring home the title.

Winning and losing is part of the game but the manner in which an athlete bounces back to stay in the game and continue to win has to be taken into account.

Badminton star Lee Chong Wei too faced similar criticism when he was banned for failing a dope test and his world ranking dropped drastically when he returned to the game. Look at where Chong Wei is today.

Bodybuilder Sazali Samad, currently banned for testing positive for drugs, was also dismissed overnight.

Malaysian athletes like Nicol, Chong Wei, cyclist Mohd Azizulhasni Awang, diver Pandelela Rinong, Sazali, racer Afiq Ikhwan, archer Muhd Okran Joni, gymnast Farah Ann Abdul Hadi, golfer Gavin Kyle Green, synchronised swimmer Katrina Ann Abdul Hadi, bowlers Sin Li Jane and Esther Cheah and high jumper Nauraj Singh Randhawa, to name but a few, are a rare breed.

Fortunately for Nicol, Sports Minister Khairy Jamaluddin came to her defence immediately, pointing out that she was going through a transition period in her game and that it was normal for her form to drop before she rose again.

Nicol herself said: “It’s now really about fine-tuning a few things, adjusting and adding it to my game. For me, these are very exciting times. I just have to gain the consistency and discipline at the right time in these situations. I’m definitely going to be fighting for the next world title.”

Not many Malaysian athletes can speak with such confidence and take a positive attitude to every difficult turn. That's Nicol for you.

I remember speaking to her South African fitness coach Allstair McCaw – a fitness guru – in Holland ten years ago after she attained the World No 1 status. He had this to say about her: “Nicol is a very determined, disciplined and motivated athlete. I have not come across many as motivated as her. There was a time when we were supposed to do fitness training outdoors and it was snowing heavily. I had told her we will switch to indoor training, but she insisted that we train in the snow.”

Indeed, Malaysia probably has not seen an athlete like Nicol who pushes herself to the limit.

Picture by Razak Ghazali (Malay Mail)
DOWN,  BUT NOT OUT!..... Nicol reflects on her defeat to Nour El Sherbini in the quarterfinals of the World Championship. She has vowed to carry on players for a few more years.

These are her thoughts on mental toughness, taken from her blog: “The more experience we have from playing tournaments, the better we can control our mental capabilities. Personal achievements come through perseverance and that can only happen if mentally we channel our focus at the right time and handle it appropriately.”

On skills, she says: “We develop specific skills to take us to the next level, into being a better squash player. Everything is refinement and detail. Planning my schedule has to be precise and according to the very last detail. It depends on where our skills take us before we can plan what is in store for us. My day to day schedule, training and yearly calendar make ‘my plan’.”

On drive: “Wanting something so badly makes something work. My drive is to be a complete squash player. This includes also what I want to achieve in the future for myself and for the sport itself. My visions include, inclusion into the Olympics and Olympic gold if possible.”

On creativity and passion: “The more creative options we have the better we work the game. My creative side works also with what I do apart from squash, like loving design. There’s no real squash player without passion. When you love the game so much, nothing gets in the way of your path. It is in everything I do. My love for my family, friends and life says it all.”

She concludes by saying: “Squash world is a big part of my life. It expresses my essence and gives a complete sense of who and where I am today. Keep up to date and find more in depth details of my professional profile, schedule and achievements. There is more squash in store once you discover it first-hand.”

With so much intensity coursing through her veins, was it right to talk about retirement to Nicol?

She said this in an interview with Daily Express three years ago when squash missed the Olympic boat: “I would do anything to play in 2020. Even if I have to use a walking stick, I will want to play in the Games. That will be my real drive and motivation to stay in the sport.”

It must be underlined that Nicol, like many of our top athletes, has either trained overseas or with foreign coaches. These athletes have a different mindset and character from those trained by local coaches. They are tough and passionate.

Nicol is a complete athlete who should serve as a shining example to Malaysians who want to reach the pinnacle of their respective sport - ruthless on the court yet courteous and incredibly pleasant off it. Her humble and down-to-earth personality puts many world champions to shame.

So let Nicol and her ilk continue their quest to bring glory to the nation. And when they finally decide to quit the sport, please salute them, not ridicule or embarrass them.

TONY is a sports

journalist with more than
three decades of experience
and is passionate about
local sports.
He can be reached at
tmariadass@gmail.com

Twitter: @tmariadass​

                     

Mej Maniam the Squash Guru

Malaysia’s Mej (Rtd) S. Maniam is a household name in India among the squash fraternity. And it is no surprise for the 56-year-old has been the Consultant Coach with the Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFi) for the last eight years based in Chenai. Maniam’s present contract ends at the end of the Delhi 2010 Commonwealth Games in October, but SRFi has already offered him an extension for another two years.

The former Malaysian national squash champion, national coach, Director of Coaching and basically “Mr Squash of Malaysia” when met in New Delhi at the test event for the Commonwealth Games, confirmed that he will be accepting the two year extension. “It has been bliss for me here the last eight years and I see no reason not to stay on,” said Maniam who is certainly the most decorated Asian squash personality. He was inducted to the Asian Squash Federation last year and besides his position in India, he is also the Director of Coaching for the Asian Squash Federation (ASF) and World Squash Federation (WSF). He has conducted more than 200 coaching courses at various levels. And SRFi is also very happy with Mej Maniam because he is one-man squash machine for he not only is a coaching consultant, but he conducts coaching and umpires courses, umpires, trains technical officials, helps in administration – basically the same he was doing in Malaysia and was largely responsible for putting Malaysian squash in the world map. Indeed Malaysia’s loss is India’s and the world’s gain. But Maniam bears no grudges with Squash Racquet Association of Malaysia (SRAM). “I am still very close with SRAM and keep constant touch. I go back regularly to conduct courses in Malaysia and SRAM still consults me on coaching matters. In any case SRAM president, Datuk A. Sani Karim is also the president of ASF. Maniam said that he has been very satisfied in India because of the progress they have made in the game. In the Women’s world ranking, India has Joshna Chinappa ranked sixth and Dinika Pallkal ninth, while in Asian men’s ranking Saurav Ghosal is ranked fourth and 27th in the world. Saurav has defeated Asian top seed and Malaysian Mohamed Azlan Iskandar on four occasions Dipika was top seed in the world junior championship, but was ousted in the quarterfinals. “It is my hope before I leave India to see an Indian player emerge champion in the world championship, be it senior or junior championship. It is definitely not impossible with the progress made by the Indian players. “They are a very determined and motivated lot and squash has certainly grown tremendously in India has a good following,” said the father of three daughters. Mej Maniam is highly respected in India and everybody looks up to him as the “Guru of the Game”.

The SRFI awarded National level coaches for their outstanding contribution for the development of the sport in India in 2006. The three-day coaching conference conducted by Maj. (R) S. Maniam, Consultant Coach (second from left) and Cyrus Poncha, National Coach.

MAJOR (Rtd) S.MANIAM

CONSULTANT COACH - SQUASH RACKETS FEDERATION OF INDIA

DIRECTOR OF COACHING – ASIAN SQUASH FEDERATION

DIRECTOR OF COACHING AND DEVELOPMENT – WORLD SQUASH FEDERATION

Bio-Data

D.O.B:                                                11 March 1954  Place of Birth:                                                Kuala Lumpur

Nationality:                                                     Malaysian

Marital Status:                                Married with three daughters

Hobbies:                                                           Reading and Golf

Malaysian Armed Forces                            1972 - 1992

Graduated                                                       Military Academy- Portsea, Australia 1975

E-mail                                                               maniamsq@gmail.com

Hobbies :                                                          Reading and Golf

Appointments :

1983-1985                                                        Assistant National Coach

1986-2002                                                        Director of Coaching – SRAM

1986-2002                                                        National Chief Coach – SRAM

1990-current                                                    Director of Coaching – ASF

1999-2002                                                        Chairman Malaysian Sports Coaches Association

1995 - 2000                                                      Consultant Coach –WSF

1995 - current                                                  WSF Coaching Committee member

1997- current                                                   Seeding Panel – WSF & ASF

1996-2000                                                        Referee Advisor – WSF

1997-1998                                                        WSF International Referee

2009                                                                  Referee Appointments Review Panel, WSF

2009                                                                  Director of Coaching and Development -WSF

Awards:                                                          

1980, 1983, 1984, 1985                  Sportsman of the year for Squash Malaysia

1980                                                                  Player of the year-East Asia

1985                                                                  Armed Forces Sportsman of the year 

1998                                                                  Malaysian Coach of the year (all sports)

1999                                                                  Award of Recognition by WSF

2009                                                                  ASF Hall of Fame

Achievements as Player

1976                                                                  Started squash

Word Championships

1979 – Australia (Player)

1983 – New Zealand (Player)

1985 – Egypt (Player)

Asian Championships

1981 – 1^st Asian Championships – Pakistan (Player)

1984 – 2^nd Asian Championships – Jordan (Player/Captain)

1986 – 3^rd Asian Championships – Malaysia (Player/Captain)

East Asian Squash Championships (EASC)

1979 -  4^th  EASC – Bangkok (Player)

1980 -  5^th  EASC – Malaysia (Player) Nominated Player of the year

1981 -  6^th  EASC – Hong Kong (Player)

1982 -  7^th  EASC – Bangkok (Player/Captain)

1983 -  8^th  EASC – P.N.G. (Player/Captain)

1984 -  9^th  EASC – Singapore (Player/Captain)

1985 – 10^th EASC – Manila (Player/Captain)

1986 – 11^th EASC – Singapore (Player/Captain)

National Championships

1981 – Runner-up

1983 – Champion

1984 – Runner-up

1985 – Champion

Malaysia Closed Championships

1980 – Champion

1981 – Runner-up

1983 – Runner-up

1984 – Runner-up

1985 – Runner-up

Guinness National Squash Circuit

1984 – Champion

1985 – Champion

SRAM Closed Championships

1980 – Champion

1981 - Champion

Armed Forces Championships

1978 – 1988  -  Champion (11 consecutive years)

Others

Nominated Sportsman of the year for Squash 1980, 1983, 1984, 1985.

                              Coaching Qualifications

1980                                                   Level 1

1981                                                   Level 1 Course Instructor

1982                                                   Level 2                               

1983                                                   Assistant National Coach-Malaysia                                          

1983                                                   Level 2 Course Instructor

1986                                                   National Coach                                

1986                     `                             Level 3 (England)

1989                                                   Level 3 Course Instructor    Achievements as Coach

Worked with players who became world junior men’s and women’s champions  as well as players who became British Junior Open champions and winners of several international titles.

Compiled and successfully implemented the Squash Coaching Curriculum in Malaysia and India

Created and implemented the Sportexcel Junior Squash Circuit - Malaysia

Compiled and successfully implemented the National Junior Development Programme in India

Compiled and successfully implemented the Squash Coaching Curriculum for the Asian Squash Federation.

Introduced an Instructors course to the Asian Squash Federation

Conducted more than 100 Level 1 Courses, 13 Level 2 Courses and 3 Level 3 Courses in Asia.

Lectured at the World Coaching Conference (Brazil), WSF AGM (Austria) and Coaching conferences in Asia.

Conducted more than 100 coaching courses, several seminars and coaching/ clinics in Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Korea, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Philippines, Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Iran, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Mexico and Bahrain.

Successfully groomed several coaches in the region. Some of whom are Allan Soyza (National Coach), Raymond Arnold (National women’s coach and now roving coach Malaysia), Peter Chee (National Development officer-Malaysia), Cyrus Poncha (Recipient of the highest coaching award in India- the Dronacharya Award)

Outstanding achievements of Teams

Malaysia              -              East Asian Champions (Senior and Junior)

-              Asian Junior Champions - Junior Men and Junior Women

-              Asian Champions – Men and Women

-              World Junior Men – 6^th placing

-              World Junior Women – 2^nd placing

-              World Senior Men – 7^th placing

-              World Senior Women – 10^th placing

India                     -           World Junior Men – semi finalist

-              World Junior Women – semi finalist

-              World men’s team – 8^th    

-            World Doubles – men – 2nd

                            -           Asian Championships – Men 3^rd, Women – 3^rd

-            Asian Junior – Men-2^nd, Women-1^st

-            International Doubles invitation – Women’s -1^st

Outstanding Achievement Individuals

Malaysia              Nicol David – World Junior Champion

                              Ong Beng Hee – World Junior Champion

Others - Kenneth Low, Mohd.Azlan, Sharon Wee, Tricia Chua, Delia Arnold

India                     Saurav Ghosal – British Junior Open - Champion, Asian Junior – 2^nd

Joshna Chinappa – British junior Open -Champion, Asian Junior – Champion

Parth Sharma – National Jr. Champion

Dipika Pallikal – Asian Junior Champion – U15

Anaka  - Asian Jr. Champion –U15

Harinder Pal Singh – PSA satellite winner

Others -, Naresh Kumar, Ravi Dixit, Ramit Tandon, Abhishek Pradhan, Kush Kumar, Deepak Misra, etc.

 Other contributions

Created and helped implement the ASF Performance Awards

Created and helped implement the ASF Coaching Awards

Initiated the Asian annual individual junior championships

Initiated the WSF annual individual junior championships