Nicol (front) conducting a beginner squash class at the Nicol David International Squash Centre in Bukit Dumbar, Penang. – LIM BENG TATT/The Star
THE last time Sariel Leong was on the squash courts in Penang, it was in the 1990s.
Back then, Datuk Nicol David was a pre-teen who was frequently seen training at the centre.
“All this was grass, so when you came out of the court, you were outdoors.
“This centre has so many memories, being the first place where I started,” Nicol said, while gesturing to different parts of what is now the Nicol David International Squash Centre (NDISC) in Bukit Dumbar.
Previously known as the Pepsi Squash Centre, the sporting hub opened in 1987 and has undergone several renovations, expanding from eight courts to 12 with enhanced courtside facilities.
Penang’s squash hub in 2001, after a major renovation to prepare the sports venue for the 2000 Sukma games and Women’s World Junior Championship. – Filepic
“Before, there were monkeys around and they used to throw the (stray) balls or take them away,” Leong recalled.
The duo had a chance to reminisce after Leong made a return to the centre after more than 20 years.
The 57-year-old was the oldest participant at the “Squash It With Nicol David” event, where 20 squash enthusiasts were chosen in an online contest to attend a beginner class with the sporting legend.
Organised by AIA Malaysia, the social media campaign is aimed at motivating Malaysians of all ages to get healthy and live longer, better lives.
“I was working for a company that had a sports club and it was possible to book any kind of court for the employees to play at.
“I chose squash and came here every Saturday for about two years until I left the company,” Leong said.
When she saw a contest offering a class with Nicol, she put in an entry saying how much she admired the eight-time world champion’s backhand.
“It was a great class. I’d like to play more if I can get someone to play with.
“Most of my friends are only into hiking, so it’s nice to connect with more people here,” she added.
During the beginner class – Nicol’s first official event at NDISC since her retirement in 2019 – she was joined by Nicol David Organisation (NDO) chief executive officer and former national Colombian squash player Mariana de Reyes to instruct the adult participants in the basics of the game.
From how to hold a racket to forehands, backhands and foot faults, the session was punctuated with laughter and cheers as the amateur players went through drills and bouts with the pros.
“When teaching kids, we try to make everything like a game but when teaching adults, we make it fun too,“ said Nicol.
“We hope that people can come try it out and find that it’s fun; it doesn’t have to be something that you slog through.
“Some people love the gym but not everyone does. We want to create a fun environment and show that exercise can be fun.“
After retiring from professional squash, the 39-year-old established NDO at the Bukit Jalil Golf & Country Resort in Kuala Lumpur.
She currently instructs 62 children aged seven to eight in squash and English, twice a week.
On expanding NDO to other states, Nicol confirmed that Penang was at the top of the list.
“The plan is to take it nationwide, once we get the model right.
“Penang, for sure, is on the list,” she said.
