Hong Kong ‘in the shop window for Asian squash’, says confident coach ahead of 2018 Asian Games campaign
Coach Robertson ready to ‘create history and make waves’ with Hong Kong team in Jakarta as they compete not only for medals, but for sport’s survival in the city
After winning both the men’s and women’s Asian squash team championships in South Korea earlier this year, Hong Kong head coach Chris Robertson insists it is time for his players to cement themselves as the continent’s finest at the upcoming Asian Games in Jakarta, Indonesia.
“We’ve put ourselves in the shop window for Asian squash,” said former world number two Robertson, who joined the set-up one year ago after seven years as England coach. “We [also] medalled at the world men’s championship and the women’s team medalled the year before – that’s good for confidence because if you can medal at the world champs, you should be a contender at the Asian Games.
“There’s nothing bigger than the Asian Games,” added the Australian. “It’s sport against sport; you’re competing not just to get medals for Hong Kong, but to be a sport in Hong Kong. It has an extra edge to it.
“We’re looking to bring success back to Hong Kong just as we did at the championships but it’s difficult [for players] not to look ahead. Our job as coaches is to pull them back and ask them to focus on their next match. I want to be practical and logical as we build up to Jakarta,” Robertson said.
Max Lee Ho-yin, Leo Au Chun-ming, Yip Tsz-fung, Henry Leung Chi-hin, Annie Au Wing-chi, Joey Chan Ho-ling, Ho Tze-lok and Lee Ka-yi joined the coaching staff at the Hong Kong Sports Institute squash courts on Wednesday as they turn their full attention towards the Games beginning August 18.
