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Omneya
Abdel Kawi Guns For Nicol David
Nicol Faces Hometown Pressure
[also:
Team profiles]
by Lee Keng Fatt, 15 July
2001
©
2001 Lee Keng Fatt, New Straits Times, reprinted by permission
THE dramatic title chase for the 9th World Junior Women's Squash title beginning today has two leading characters cast in different roles as they set out to provide the main excitement here in this island retreat.
One has Malaysia's very own squash queen Nicol David in defence of her title starting today, and the other Egypt's young squash sensation Omneya Abdel Kawi wanting to make it hers. But the script, depending on how well they play their respective roles, will have to be written by the two main players.
The Egyptian beauty knows what she wants.
Omneya: "Tell her (Nicol) I wish to beat her... I also want to be the world No 1."
She has set her sights for a double joy her victory as well as birthday celebrations. Both the top two seeds, incidentally were born in August. Omneya celebrates her 16th birthday on Aug 5 while Nicol turns 18 on Aug 26. Although she had a four-month lay-off from competitive championships in preparations for her university examinations, she has not been idle, particularly these last two months.
"I have had intensive training for almost two months in between my studies and I am ready for Nicol ... anytime." Omneya, who is also expected to help Egypt defend their team's title they won two years ago, however is aware that playing in Penang Nicol's home town is like taking on a lioness in her own den.
But the lioness (Nicol), may find herself a little flustered by the high expectations of the partisan crowd to succesfully defend her crown in her playground. For Nicol, this will be the first time when she has to deal with that kind of pressure for a tournament of this stature. Her major wins have been abroad, where she didn't have to deal with the pressure of the fans and the local media.
Nicol's personal coach Richard Glanfield is aware of the pressure, especially with her bent on becoming the first player to retain the world junior crown and with Malaysia aiming for their first team title. And he has advised his young charge to keep her composure and not to over-exert herself before the start of the championship.
"Nevertheless, I am confident that Nicol can retain the title," he said. As for Omneya the pressure which she is used to, "is part of the game." "Yes, I know this is the club where Nicol was spotted and groomed into a world champion. There will also be the home crowd to support her. "It may pose a problem for me as well as other participants.
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