SELANGOR took a risk by fielding their young players in the women’s team final at the National Tennis Centre (NTC) in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday.
But it turned out to be the right decision as Selangor retained their gold medal with ease by thrashing Pahang 2-0.
Federal Territories and Perlis, who finished runners-up in Group X and Y respectively, were the bronze medallists.
Coach S. Selvarajoo made a calculative move by resting United States-based T. Neesha in order to play his daughter Theiviya in the first singles and Alyssa Boey, a finalist atlast year’s National Hardcourt Championships,in the second individual match.
Both did not disappoint as they impressed with Theiviya beating Ti Jia Wei 6-3, 6-0 while 15-year-old Alyssa outplayed 1 4 - year - o l d Delizavernne Kaur 6-0, 6-2.
“I rested Neesha because she had problems with the humidity in previous matches. I did not want to risk fielding her in the final,” said Selvarajoo.
“Sometimes a coach has to make difficult decisions. Neesha is our best player but I had to leave her out today (yesterday). I amhappy that my other players did well in her absence.
I am sure she will be happy with the team’s s u c c e s s. ”
Selvarajoo also confirmed that Neesha will not represent the team in the women’s individual competitions which starts today.
Theiviya will team up with Adelle Boey in the women’s doubles and also partner Juan Antonio Los Santos in the mixed doubles while Alyssa and 15-year-old R. Archnaah will play s i n g l e s.
Los Santos and Colin Wong, who both received first round byes, will start their men’s singles campaign today while Hanifah Rahizam-Zaki Pauzi will play doubles.
