Zolkples worries about life after Nicol

It is status quo at the Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) after Datuk A. Sani Karim retained his president's post unopposed when nominations for SRAM's Nov 23 elections closed on Sunday.

But what remains uncertain is the future direction of squash in the country as National Sports Council director-general Datuk Zolkples Embong weighed in on the matter.

Zolkples is keen on ensuring Malaysia achieves its best-ever performance at the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games in 2010.

And he pointedly referred to squash as being a major provider of gold medals at both events but only for as long as women's World No 1 Nicol David and National men's No 1 and No 2 Ong Beng Hee and Azlan Iskandar remain healthy and active.

"The year 2010 is very important for Malaysian sports as there are two major events where we must do better than before -- the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games," he said.

"Squash is good for three gold medals at the Asian Games, where team events will also be held, and one at the Commonwealth Games.

"If you look at Nicol, she is disciplined and committed, and together with Beng Hee and Azlan we are in a good position in our plans for 2010.

"But after Nicol there is no one. By right we should have someone else at No 10 or 20 (in the world rankings) but we have to go down to 35 or something to find another one. Now that is just bad planning."

After Nicol, Sharon Wee -- in the twilight of her career -- is ranked 24th while Delia Arnold is at a career-best 34th.

Zolkples made the comments during a flag-handing over ceremony to the World Championships-bound karate squad in Bukit Jalil yesterday.

Zolkples declined to comment on Sani's third two-year term as SRAM president, choosing instead to higlight the positives.

"We have a good working relationship with SRAM but you cannot produce someone like Nicol everytime. They have their programmes in place and we hope they bear fruit quickly.

"But should anything happen to the big three, then we are in trouble. For the team events we don't have strong second and third liners. That is the problem."