'It's no big deal really!'

So I was doing a little trolling on articles online when I chanced upon an article on Sports 247 regarding national elite coach (squash) Peter Genever.

Peter Genever/PG

For newcomers to squash, PG is basically the head coach in the Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) set-up.
And now it seems that our head coach, has opted out from the assignment to Islamabad, Pakistan, for the Asian Individual Championships from May 1-5, citing safety concerns.
The article however also highlighted the fact that world No.1 Nicol David is not going too, while six other players are still going to brave the dangers and instability in Pakistan and participate in that tournament.
Although it was funny that PG said that him being a Caucasian puts his life in danger. Hmm.
Then again it doesn't really matter if PG stays home..because...well...I'm not sure if he has any players to coach even if he goes.

Honestly though, and this is really my own opinion, let's not make it too much of an issue. If PG does not want to go, I believe that's fair. No offence to the writer by the way.
I also believe that there is no need to question why SRAM is still sanctioning the go-ahead for the six players - Ong Beng Hee, Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan, Mohd Asyraf Azan, Low Wee Wern, Delia Arnold and Zulhijjah Azan, in competing in Pakistan.
It's not very fair for SRAM too, being put in such a spotlight and being viewed as forcing players to compete. The association gave the players a choice, they made it and that's that.
If anything, the question should be directed at the Asian Squash Federation (ASF) as to why Pakistan is still allowed to host the tournament. But that's another issue altogether.

If the tournament was hosted anywhere other than Pakistan, I believe even Nicol will take time off to compete too...even though she has already won it a record eight times.
As I've mentioned in my article in The Star earlier this month, Nicol doesn't really need to play and should be respected for her decision.
Now that she's not going, the other girls in the national set-up might feel they finally have a possible chance at winning a title Nicol has dominated for the past decade. So they decide to go. Why is that an issue?
Besides, it'll be great for players like Zulhijjah, to get a bit more experience competing in tournaments. Do we really want to take away that kind of rare opportunity away from her?

Zulhijjah (right) during the KL Open last month

There's always the possibility that SRAM might have given the players some pressure, but that's something we will never know. At the end of the day, what matters is the players made their decision so we have to respect it. And give them the best possible protection they can get in Pakistan. As Wern said, Beng Hee is going to be her human shield.

Furthermore, with the exception of India, all the other Asian countries, including the likes of China, are participating in the tournament!
And it's so true that if Malaysia were to pull out from the Asians, it may affect the squash bid, given how we're considered a top squash nation.
What we need right now is people to stand united for squash and pray for only the best to happen instead of harping on every small mistakes.

With all that is being said, Zhengguan definitely hopes that the Malaysian team arrive safely, play safely and return home all in one piece!