Shamil Wakeel-The Squash player to be watched in the future

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Category: squash

Published on Sunday, 04 December 2011 18:19

Written by Eranga Alwis

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Power is said to be nothing without control and so is talent without proper nurturing. But still hard work and determination could guide talent to success amidst all the harsh storms .Shamil Wakeel is one of those talented junior squash players who took the rough path and proved his metal to the others.

This young kid from D S Senanayake College started playing squash from the tender age of 9 and had improved immensely over the past few years.

Though Shamil started climbing the ranking ladder steadily he was always driven to the back foot by the top seed in his age group Viduranga Udantha and had to be satisfied with only the Runner up position for quite some time as he could not match the experience of Viduranga earlier on. But Shamil was always determined and never gave up till he had the better of his old rival. His hard work became fruitful and was able to taste victory after a long patient wait .Later on he was not to be satisfied with one championship and continued the winning streak taking Championships in two age groups most of the time. Shamil who performed exceptionally well at the recent domestic tournaments had his hard work paid off bagging two junior titles each at the SLSF Open, Janashakthi Open and Junior National Squash Championships.

13 year old Shamil who was improving day by day not only dominated the domestic arena but also made his mark in the Asian Squash Arena in real quick time. Shamil made his international debut in a low note participating in The All Star Milo Open Squash Championships and was not able to taste victory due to his lack of international exposure. But he was not to be stopped and went to take the 7th place in the U-13 age group at the Indian Junior Open Squash Championships held this year.

This young kid made history at the recently concluded Asian Junior Squash Championships held in Jordan when he became the first Junior Sri Lankan to qualify for a main draw semi final in an Asian Junior Squash Championship. Shamil with only a handful of International exposure was still able to overcome the challenges posed by top Junior Asian Squash players successfully and proceeded till the Semi Final stage .Shamil grabbed the Bronze medal in the U-13 age group in the particular tournament overcoming most of the top players to whom he lost in the previous tournaments, to write his name in Golden words in the Squash Books of Sri Lanka.

Shamil was also adjudged as the most improved and best performer for the year 2011 at the Junior National Squash Championships as he went on to take both the Boys U-13 and U-15 titles under his name. Even at the age of 13 Shamil is capable of taking on any junior player confidently. His Guts were tested in the recently concluded All Island Inter Schools Squash Championships where he had to take on Hasala Gamalath , the top player from Royal College, in the team event decider. Many expected Hasala to win the match easily but it was not to be so. Though Shamil lost the match 3-0 due to his lack of exposure he fought till the end with all his might and courage and even went on to lead with two game points in his favor.

This youngster will be taking part in the forthcoming KL open Squash Championship and this will provide him a golden opportunity to prove his dominance. As this tournament is an Open tournament neither the Ministry of Sports nor the Sri Lanka Squash Federation has come forward to provide him with any financial support thus leaving Shamil to find his own money to cover up the expenses related to the tour. Participation in such tournaments is essential for these players to maintain their ranking in the international circuit and therefore they will have to take part in at least four to five international tournaments annually if they are to remain on top. But it is not easy for these players to bear all the expenses involved and with the lack of proper sponsors or supporters these stars are forced to quit most of the tournaments thus declining their International rankings. This situation has to be changed if we are to witness real Sri Lankan talent in its full force and if we are to have at least some sort of a hope in moulding our juniors into Asian Champions.

Speaking to The Papare Shamil thanked his parents Mr Mukthar Wakeel and Mrs Shamla Shanaz who had being behind him from the beginning and supporting him to continue and excel in this game. He also conveyed his gratitude to his coach Mrs Yazmin Zarook and his School coach Mr Chandana for the guidance provided in sailing forth in rough and windy seas.

The Papare wishes this upcoming star all the very best to overcome future endeavors successfully and roar out the real lion within. At the same time we take this as an opportunity to invite any sponsors to come forward and help Shamil move forward in transforming his dreams into a reality.

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