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AZLAN RETIRES... |
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Contributions from : Alex Gough... Heba El Torky... Jadeleen Lee... Marwan El Shorbagy... Mohamed El
Shorbagy.... Tim Garner... Cyrus Poncha... Paul Selby...
Nicol David... Nick Matthew... Tom Richard.... Greg
Gaultier... Peter Genever.... Daryl Selby.... Ong Ben Hee... Neil
Harvey... LJ Anjema... Thierry Lincou....
send your
messages to
gommendy@aol.com |
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Azzy!!!
Thank you for giving your best all the time.
Never had I met someone as determined as you. You should be proud of
yourself that you've achieved your goals.
I'll miss watching and photographing you in court for sure. The
"tongue out" will always be your signature!
All the best in your next phase of life and I look forward to seeing
you more.
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 On the shuttle bus to the
British Junior Open about 12 years ago: still remember
sitting next to that superstar kid from an unknown land who
got so bloody low during his shots.
Two years later our paths crossed again when we formed the
Chingford-clan with OBH and Ricky Bhattacharya. I think we
may exclude Beng Hee as he was way out of our league! It was
basically you, Ricky and me grinding it out. For almost 5
years dude!
Admired your extreme professionalism and dedication. Shocked
to see a training buddy retire but many congrats on a career
in which you've achieved your goals!!
All the best Azzy...
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 Salut
Azlan
Bravo for your career and to have reached your goals...
We stop at the same time, but not at the same age, as you
are 6 years younger.
The same way, I too had to leave my island when I was young
but there again, you are much younger - I was 17 and better
equipped by then to handle the exile better, compared to
you, being only 12.... Only proving as needed that squash
and the tour are exceptionally hard.
So once again, hat to you, for your achievements and career.
You are a hard worker, and I still cannot believe the
physical potential you possess, in term of reactivity, power
and stretch ability.
Good luck for you new life, and let's meet in Mulhouse,
France in June 2013 for the World Teams...
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'I've had the privilege of training
with Azlan for the past 5 years and have seen first hand the
dedication and commitment that he puts into his craft, and it is
this professionalism that will surely mean he will continue to be a
great success in the future.
Good luck mate and I'm sure we'll be able to get a couple more
battles on court in the future!
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GREG ABOUT AZZY...
I first met Azlan at the British junior open in Sheffield in
the category under 14 and remembered he beat me in semis
3-1. At 13 years old, he was already really fast and had
huge capacities and potential.
He did a lot of sacrifices in his life. the biggest one i
think was to move that far away from his country at such a
young age, this is tough for a kid and family, but when you
have big goals like he had, sometimes you have no choice if
you want to improve and become a top player, so you have to
give a try and this is not all, then there is also lot of
things which made him reach his objectives.
He was and is really disciplined in what he does, took care
of his body really well, his diet, he was a hard worker on
and off court.
We always thought with Thierry that if you had to put all
the squash players on a line and run as fast as possible 10
or 20 even 50 meters, that he would be the fastest even
after eating a huge curry :)
And that s what you need for squash, the first two steps
really quick, he was really explosive and had great fitness
capacities, really flexible and loved playing fast,
volleying and controlling the T, loved his backhand flick.
I had the chance to go twice to Malaysia to train with him
and Beng Hee, it was probably ones of my best summer
preparations there with them, they were really helpful and
nice with me and players who were coming to train as well,
we had a great time.
I started to know more and more Azlan at the end of his
career and we became really really close friends. It's tough
to lose another friend on the squash tour but hopefully, we
will be able to see each other in the future.
He can be proud of having achieved his goals, helped
Malaysia to do well, and became a great example for future
Malaysian champions.
I wish him the best of luck for his next career, hard worker
as he is, I'm sure he will do well. I also wish him the best
for his life, family and girlfriend. Enjoy spending more
time at home now.
All the best my friend,
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 That's
it now, Azlan's retired.
But like Thierry who retired a day before him, he'll still
will be playing for his country, 'if he is good enough' that
is...
A member of the Professional Squash Association since 2000,
the Sarawak-born 30-year-old has enjoyed a distinguished
career in the sport, reaching 24 PSA World Tour finals
and winning 14 Tour titles - including three
Malaysian Open crowns between 2004 and 2010.
The Asian Games gold medallist in 2010 and twice
winner of the Asian Championship, Iskandar celebrated a
career-high world No10 ranking in March 2011.
Ranked
14 in the world last month, he maintained an unbroken
presence in the world top 20 since October 2009.
Arguably, his greatest rivalry has been with fellow
countryman Ong Beng Hee.
The pair first met on the Tour in the first round of the
2000 Malaysian Open - and went on to contest the Asian Games
final in 2006, two Asian Championships' finals, and four
Tour finals, three of which were in the Malaysian capital
Kuala Lumpur. |
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"It is always a shame when a
long-standing player retires from any sport.
Azlan has always been one of the hardest trainers on Tour
and his fitness levels have been extraordinary over the
years.
Having reached the top 20 over seven years ago and reaching
one of his goals of the top ten in the world last year, he
can proud of having scalps such as beating the great Amr
Shabana on more than one occasion, not least of all in
reaching last year's Hong Kong Open semi-final, his best
result in a World Series event.
"We wish him all the best in his new ventures and hopefully
he all not be too far away from squash in the next chapter
of his life."
PSA CEO |
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Two of the top
PSA players retired; Lincou & Iskandar! We'll definitely
miss watching amazing squash.
Wish them the very best in their new lives
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 Why
now....
It was a decision that has been going through my mind for a
good six months after I got injured a few times earlier this
year. Bear in mind I have set huge, huge, targets from the
age of 12 and I'm proud to say I have achieved them all last
year and the year before.
This decision was a melting pot of many factors brewing all
at the same time, but ultimately I found it hard, or have
been finding it hard, to find new goals for me that give me
that personal satisfaction that has always been vital for
me.
Lack of motivation maybe...
Everyone is built differently and throughout my life, things
have always been mapped out in my head with clear targets
set. Recently, honestly speaking I have found it hard to
play and just go through the motions, floating from
tournament to tournament, knowing in my head that I am
partly being supported through government funding, hard
earned tax payers' money. so I feel it's not right to do
something if I cannot give it 120%!
As such, I feel an example needs to be set for future squash
players or athletes that representing ones country in
anything but the highest reward, but does also come with
huge huge responsibilities.
What now then....
Passion & Inspiration- I have tried and just can't find
inspiration apart from setting my next goals that I am
passionate about - which are, of course, to give back to
my sport SQUASH.
 I
will be focusing on the development of physical
infrastructure for squash, supported by the growth of squash
related events and adoption by the public.
My goals are to make sure that the number of courts built in
Malaysian doubles; the number of squash events grows; and
the popularity and the game's reach will penetrate the
masses and make the sport more accessible in my country.
I am committed to growing both the supply and demand in
squash, as I feel that there aren’t enough platforms for the
people to pick up the sport which then leads to the lack of
physical courts.
I have quietly been going around the country (with the
Ministry of Youth & Sports support) to engage the youths
through squash clinics and also with the successful programs
under my Squash Academy.
 Through
this, I have been to so many states around Malaysia–
noticing that there are so many keen learners and so much
talent & enthusiasm when squash is introduced. This just
reflects on the potential that squash has in being a common
sport adopted by many Malaysians, both young and old!
The Future of Squash in Malaysia
Malaysia and its Sports Industry is growing fast, thanks to
vision of our Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib,
Deputy Prime Minister Tan Sri Muyiddin Yasin, and our
Sports & Youth Minister Datuk Sri Shabery Cheek - they
are and have been huge drivers for sport and responsible for
setting the opportunities for the next generation.
I truly believe a career path in squash is one of them,
whether it may be as a professional squash player on tour, a
coach, or a tournament organiser - I believe it is all
relevant in the sports industry and the squash industry.
Still playing for Malaysia
I will still be playing for my country as I will just be
stepping away just from the professional scene. Squash is
very much in my bones, but I think the travelling (an
average of 18 tournaments a year for the last 13 years,) has
caught up with me in all honesty - living away from home at
12, then living away from Malaysia since I was 17, regetibly
not being there for so many Hari Raya’s, not being able to
watch my mother get older is a huge sacrifice, so I think it
would be an appropriate and a fair time for my mind and body
to call it a day and concentrate on helping to drive the
sporting scene in the country.
Good luck mate and congrats on
a great career.
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 Here we are....
So this is where I am at today. The end of my professional
squash career, but the start of something new and exciting
that still revolves around my sport of squash. Of course,
who I am today will not be possible without all the people
that have been in my life and played a big or small role in
my growth in squash.
Thank
you....
I would like to firstly mention a big shout out to all the
relevant people who have been dear to me through my life on
Tour and have helped me be where I have been today.
I thank the people that were there from the very beginning
when my love for squash started.
 To my dear Mom, whom
not only encouraged me at the courts of the Sarawak Club but
to also let me go at the tender age of 12, leaving Kuching
to live and school in KL under the Gemilang 1998 program.
My
other 2 rocks are my sisters Zai and Faridah who have
supported me fully from then, and also to when I chose to
turn professional at 17.
Not to forget the Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia
for first spotting me when I was 11. I still remember that
day when Major Maniam came to Kuching and played me
to prove if I was worthy enough to be part of the national
team, and thereafter securing the approval of Wong Ah Jit,
the GM back then.
A big thanks also goes to the late Dato Alex Lee and
thereafter another great president Datuk Mokzhaini.
Without these key people, I honestly wouldn’t know where id
be today.
Thank you also goes to the National Sports Council (NSC)
Datuk Wira Mazlan for believing me enough to send me
to for my first training in stint in London when I was 14,
and Datuk Seri Zol, a very positive supporter of
squash from day 1, and to Datuk Ramlan of the
National Sports Institute (NSI) who helped educate me
about my body at the most personal level.
I cannot also leave out the role of the Ministry of Youth
and Sport who have been vital in supporting and funding
my pursuit of excellence in squash, and who enabled me to
make a career out of this sport.
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DOUBLES
I also would like to be part of the convincing process to
push for doubles to be in Sukma. It hasn’t been
publicized enough that in the past 2 Commonwealth Games,
Malaysia has won 2 medals through mixed doubles so I
feel its something that is worth exposing to our younger
generation too.
I am aware that States would then require new infrastructure
but there are court technologies available (like the courts
in Bukit Jalil) whereby singles courts can turned into
doubles courts just by a press of a button!
Indirectly by having doubles in Sukma more gold medals will
be in contention, from 4 Golds to 7 Golds which now means
that the States would take the sport more seriously. |
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I first remember Azlan when he
came for the British Junior Open in Sheffield at about 12
years of age, he went through quite a few different looks
over the next few years each one was always a bit more
daring and provocative than the last.
Thankfully now he has reverted to a mainstream look but that
does not mean he is a mainstream person.
I have been happy to help Azlan when needed whether as a
chaperone to Junior Tournaments in the UK whilst he was
training with Neil Harvey or just plain host to Azzie at our
house where he is always welcome.
In later years I was happy to be instrumental in securing
him sponsorship with a racket sponsor which he has stayed
with to this day.
It has been great to sit beside him at a few of the large
tournaments around the world trying to help him through
matches in his own idiosynchratic style. The hardest game
for me to watch was between Daryl and Azlan in the
Commonwealth Games in 2010 in Delhi which lasted 137 mins
and was only 3-1 in games which Azlan eventually won.
It was probably the hardest physical game of attrition
between two mighty gladiators but the thing that was great
about it was not the result it was the comaraderie after the
battle. That is Azlan he wears his heart on his sleeve and
gives no quarter but he leaves that on court which is where
it belongs.
I wish him the greatest success in his new ventures and hope
that we can continue to be as good friends in the future as
we have been in the past.
Head |
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My Sponsors
To my personal sponsors from the very early years and
thereafter - Datuk Zainal from Zecon, Datuk
Seri Effendi from Encorp, Maxis,
Powerbar, Head and Graham watches.
I couldn’t have also done it without the professional help
from Sportspin Athlete Management Sdn Bhd who have
allowed me to focus on the sport, whilst managing the
important areas of funding, sponsorships and other areas
that required negotiation.
To the personal people that have had a role in my squash
career: the current Malaysian sports minister, Datuk Sri
Ahmad Shabery Cheek (who plays squash himself) has been
a huge driver with his personal touch that he lends to me
and athletes, lending inspiration and pushes us to strive
for better.
His presence and encouragement allowed me to deliver the
Asian Games gold medal in 2010, and to enter the Top10
ranking in 2011. Dato Mohid, KSU of the Ministry
of youth and Sport also came to personally watch me play
that final of the Asian games, thank you to you too.
And Also
To my wife-to-be, thank you for being there through
the tough times ( I have to admit more than the good times,
haha, but she's always there!); to my three major coaches
and my singular physical trainer Sean Sturggeas
(who's been there with me since I was 19 and a big shout out
to the national sports institute). Throughout my career,
Neil Harvey, Jamshed Gul and of course Peter Genever
(now the Malaysian national head coach) - they have been
part of my life in grooming me to think the way I do and to
play the way I have ... a big big thank you!!
My favourite guys on tour ....
 You
guys know who you are, I need not mention names. My fellow
countrymen, and women; Ong Beng Hee an absolute
legend in his way by opening up the small window of squash
back in the 90s, by making squash an option as a career
path, (which I feel deserves a whole lot of credit as people
tend to forget how much he and his Dad KH did from the
start), for being my room-mate for so many events and over
so many years, I wish you all the luck in your career and
hope you find closure in the sport one day;
to my training partner Mohd Nafiizwan who was my
house mate in London and practically a younger brother to
me, I wish you the best in your career to take squash to
greater heights;
Miss Nicol David, of course - Malaysia's squash and
sporting princess and world number 1 for making squash so
popular in the country and taking Malaysia to heights and
places it has never been! To all the up and coming juniors
in the program which I feel are all a talented bunch and
have great potential to fill the shoes of us past generation
players, as long as they receive enough support hopefully
from the private sector and with the media’s help to push
the sport.
My hope is to see squash grow more in time in Malaysia and
of course the world. Delia Arnold, Low Wee Wern, (I
congratulate you on your top 10 achievement and I feel it
shows where Malaysian squash is today) the relevant parties
in SRAM the past president Dato Sani and the current
Dato Syed ... we have all been a small support group
for each other as a family, watching and helping each other
grow, seeing the sport blossom in Malaysia since the 90's
and I do hope to see this continue.
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Most memorable moments
 I
think the most memorable memory in my squash life was when I
first played in Cairo and I watched squash being
played by the pyramids - then it was, of course,
Tournament of Champions in New York where squash is
played in Grand Central Station. I think those things were
huge motivations in my career to want to play on the 'show
court'.
Of course there were my most memorable wins - beating a few
of the top 10 guys who I don't need to mention!
But, genuinely, it's been in the last couple of year on the
tour that the sport, PSA, WSA and World Squash has grown
leaps and bounds, and will continue to make the sport more
'relevant' around the world - so I believe that squash has a
great chance of making the Olympics in 2020 and at least im
one of the Million squash players world wide who want to
play a part in getting the sport in, it’s the little
initiatives that help.
It's every squash player's dream to make the Olympics but I
guess one that I can only just watch on the TV!
 What
now then....
Passion & Inspiration - I have tried and just can't
find inspiration apart from setting my next goals that I am
passionate about - which are, of course, to give back to
my sport SQUASH.
I will be focusing on the development of physical
infrastructure for squash, supported by the growth of squash
related events and adoption by the public.
My goals are to make sure that the number of courts built in
Malaysian doubles; the number of squash events grows; and
the popularity and the game's reach will penetrate the
masses and make the sport more accessible in my country.
I am committed to growing both the supply and demand in
squash, as I feel that there aren’t enough platforms for the
people to pick up the sport which then leads to the lack of
physical courts.
 Yes
the initial thought would be this decision would be a huge
blow to the SRAM, NSC etc but I feel it isn’t. I am here to
stay,
If I am still good enough and if the country needs me to
play in the World Mens Team
end of 2013 I will play, and if it needs me during
Commonwealth Games, and Asian Games 2014 I will play.
I will still be training, but I think that SRAM will gain in
my dedication to help develop the sport through my
experiences to help promote the sport nation wide. Always
being optimistic!
Squash and sports is my passion and my life as I’ve gone
through the process of being selected, Identified, trained,
groomed and I feel that my generation is the first or second
generation of sporting professionals in the country so there
is only one way to go from now, and its to give back that
experience to my country as the millions of dollars spent on
this process is priceless, the experiences that I have
gained in my sporting life. One should never take It for
granted.
I can’t see doing anything else apart from a career that
involves sport. I have my squash academy and I will
be focusing on helping developing the game to grass root
levels and making squash more appealing to the masses in
Malaysia, I am committed to find more sponsors that are able
to support more senior and junior tournaments in Malaysia.
I will also be working with a sports events company
to ensure that these tournaments are well run and serve as a
great platform for our players before they start travelling
the world and competing on an international level.
And finally...
 I
feel that squash as a sport deserves that chance as we have
the talent in the country but its maximizing our resources
to ensure that every ringgit spent goes a long way.
Everyone knows the sport but they don’t necessarily know how
to play it, or learn it correctly, so I believe it’s a small
step in educating, engaging then eventually providing the
relevant infrastructure to help that transition from non
“squashers” to squashers.
If I have missed anyone, I'd
like to apologise as it is an extremely emotional moment in
my career and the next stage of life, but this decision is
inevitable and it's just a matter of when one wants to make
the call and to dare to move into something else."
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OLYMPICS
Squash isn’t in the Olympics
but we have a (twitter) @azziskandar #backthebid2020 dream
Yes when I was watching the GAMES I had so many people
asking me on twitter and the general public why is squash
not in the Olympics?
Well to start, it is a worthwhile but tedious process for a
sport to get into the Olympics.
Squash had its best chance to get into 2016 Olympics in RIO
but squash narrowly lost to Rugby and golf, so we are now
gunning for Olympics 2020.
I believe it is also the Malaysian squash community’s role
to help back the bid but also hope that the Malaysian
public, relevant authorities and the media can get on this
bandwagon to ensure squash has a huge support system.
Simplistically put, the demand for squash on TV will also
determine squash’s chance. Of course there has to be content
for it be on TV hence why I feel having more small
tournaments and progressively growing these tournaments
around the country will help popularize the sports in
Malaysia and get more parties involved.
The 2020 bid (which started
last year) as I know it is a good 8 years away but
worthwhile things happen with a lot of planning. Just like
the creation of champions, it will be a long process of
awareness, hard work, support and commitment.
I believe the game has very little to do with how beautiful
the sport is in its display of skill, athleticism, mental
prowess and physical strength in the eye of the IOC (Olympic
international committee).
I truly believe it boils down to more people playing, making
squash their pastime, TV time, having more squash events,
amateur events, club events, community based tournaments,
school based tournaments having more development programs
through schools and more infrastructure! (I believe there
are only a total of 500-600squash courts in the country! Far
too little to make a impact despite having so many world
class players.) |
I knew Azzy would be a great player
having seen him ‘survive’ six month sleeping on mattresses with Beng
Hee on my lounge floor aged just 15!
They used to put them down at night & lean them up against the wall
in the morning.
This was just so that he could take advantage of coaching with Neil
Harvey & training with Peter Nicol and the squad.
He always trained and conducted himself with his upmost
professionalism, and it is no surprise that already has a vey
successful business career running in tandem alongside his pro
career.
I am quite sure that now that he can focus fully on these ventures
they will continue to flourish & grow, and I look forward to seeing,
and maybe even helping, it happen.
Best wishes, but most of all enjoy it Azzy.
Eventis |
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I
was first introduced to Azlan via Jamie Hickox when he was
leaving his post as the Malaysian national coach way back in
1997 if my memory serves me correctly. 
THEN
PETER GENEVER...
