KUALA LUMPUR: NATIONAL No. 1 Jawariah Noordin has not played many tournaments since 2009.
While this is partly due to her falling out with the Lawn Tennis Association of Malaysia (LTAM) another contributing factor is that she is struggling to find sponsors to fund her.
Even National Sports Council (NSC), who had previous stated that they will back Jawariah, had not been of much help.
“Although I was based in NSC after the Malaysia Games, I had nothing to do. I did not have any coach nor a plan,” said Jawariah.
“NSC had wanted to see the WTA1000 calendar for this year but problem is the women’s tour does not have a yearly one and releases it every few month.”
Jawariah had tried explaining this to NSC but it has only fell to deaf years as she claims NSC still insist on seeing a yearly calendar before allocating funds for her.
Such is a sad state of affairs for a player, who despite lack of proper training and participation in tournament since 2009, is still the national No. 1.
“I can only take part in the national circuit!” said a disappointed Jawariah.
Due to her age, the 22-year-old also can’t compete in the Sportexcel tournaments. This is unlike the players under the elite programme as they are all in their teens.
Despite all this, Jawariah still managed to show the elite players her class as she brushed them aside in the WTA Malaysian Open national trials. As a result she will compete in the tournament for the second time.
Jawariah has since opted to go back to Penang to train under her father Noordin Omar and brother Muhammad Noor Noordin.
She will return to participate in the women’s tour event at the Bukit Kiara Equestrian and Country Resort from Feb 27-March 4. However Jawariah along with Malaysia’s other wildcard entry Choo Lyn Yuen will have to do the impossible and clear the qualifying rounds on Feb 25-26. -Vijhay Vick (Malay Mail
