FORMER national player Low Wee Wern has had a fruitful two weeks since she signed a one-year contract with the Philippine Sports Commission as the head coach of the Philippines national squash team on March 5.
During the signing ceremony, Wee Wern, a Penangite, had the honour of meeting Filipino bowling legend Bong Coo, who currently serves as the commissioner of the Philippine Sports Commission.
A retired professional bowler, Bong Coo, now aged 75, is regarded as the most decorated Filipino athlete. She boasts a remarkable record, being a four-time world champion and inducted into both the World Bowling Hall of Fame and the Philippine Sports Hall of Fame. Coo’s impressive career includes a total of 78 medals won in regional and world competitions, with 37 of them being gold medals.
Other dignitaries Wee Wern met were Robert Bachmann, president of both the Philippine Squash Academy and Southeast Asia Squash Federation; Richard Bachmann, chairman of the Philippine Sports Commission, and Aysah Dalida, secretary of the Philippine Squash Academy.
She expressed gratitude to all of them for the warm reception she received, saying she was thrilled at meeting them.
Before departing for Manila, Wee Wern, 33, shared with Buletin Mutiara her profound honour in going to assume the role of coach of the Philippine national squash team. She did not expect to land a coaching job shortly after announcing her retirement recently.
Presently, the national team under Wee Wern’s guidance comprises eight men and four women. She is also being assisted by coaches Edgar and Jaime.
Among the players are David Pelino, Jemyca Aribado and Reymark Begornia, all three of whom were part of the winning mixed team at the 2019 SEA Games hosted by the Philippines. The other member of the quartet was Robert Garcia.
On Saturday, a group of players from the senior, junior and development squads came together for a workout.
“The seniors led the young players in warm-up routines, runs and exercises to show them what it is like to be part of the team as they progress in their careers.
“I want to instil a sense of teamwork, nurture a community spirit, and to always lead by example.
“I am committed to leading the team with integrity, passion and dedication,” Wee Wern said.
The Philippines squash team had a very successful 2019 SEA Games by capturing its first-ever gold medal in the sport. Held at the Manila Polo Club in Makati, Manila, the Philippines won five medals – 1 gold, 2 silver and two bronze medals, finishing second only to Malaysia, which obained 4 gold, 1 silver and 1 bronze medals.
Squash was not included in the last two SEA Games in Vietnam (2021) and Cambodia (2023). Nevertheless, it is officially included in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Wee Wern, under the guidance of her long-time coach Aaron Soyza, represented Malaysia for two decades, with 16 years spent as a professional. She reached a career-high at world No. 5 in 2014.
Among her notable achievements are winning 12 PSA Tour titles, four Malaysian National titles, the Malaysia Open in 2019, the China Open in 2012 and the World University Games in 2016.
Wee Wern won the Asian Games team gold medal twice – in 2010 in Guangzhou and in 2014 in Incheon. She also bagged an individual silver medal in 2014 Asian Games in Incheon. In 2014, she was also a key member of the Malaysian women’s team that finished runners-up at the Women’s World Team Championships in Canada.
Throughout her illustrious career, Wee Wern was plagued by knee injuries, undergoing four operations and having a total of 12 screws inserted in both knees.
Her determination and courage in overcoming adversity earned her the nickname, the ‘Iron Lady’ of Malaysian squash.
Story by K.H. Ong
Pix courtesy of Low Wee Wern