Passion is a key to success - Nicol David

Datuk Nicol Ann David on Sunday expressed hope that national junior players could show their passions in squash in order to be more competitive and successful in higher level of competition.

The world number one said the squash development programme also needed to be polished and improved to guide the junior players in the right direction.

"We have a lot of junior players...we need to give them some encouragement, while at the same time, let them enjoy and have fun with squash.

"Don't give them pressure to be like me or Wee Wern (Low Wee Wern)," she told reporters at an event to celebrate her achievement as the longest reigning world number one squash player.

Nicol also expressed gratitude to Liz Irving who had coached her for the past 12 years to become an outstanding and competitive player and as world number one for 106 months.

"As a coach, she understands what I need. She gives me all the useful advice and share her expertise. She finds all the right people to come and work with me as a team," she added.