THE Q & A WITH FORMER NATIONAL SQUASH PLAYER, SANJAY SINGH CHAL ABOUT MENTAL HEALTH AND WELLNESS

                                                          

 

                                                                         PROFILE- SANJAY SINGH CHAL

                                                                              Born: Miri, Sarawak

                                                                              D.O.B : 23 April 1994

                                             Occupation: Head Coach of the KL Junior Squash Team

                                                                  Height: 178 CM || Weight: 72 KG

                                                                                                     

WHEN DID YOU START PLAYING SQUASH?

I started playing squash at the age of 9 and I used to follow my dad to the squash court when I was younger. Then, I decided to move to Bukit Jalil Sport School when I was 14 to take up the challenge of one day being a Malaysian athlete.

 

WHY DID YOU CHOOSE TO BE A SQUASH PLAYER?

I used to play tennis before squash, but I couldn’t stand the heat on the tennis court, so I switched to squash because you are playing under a roof with either aircond or fan.

 

WHAT MOTIVATES YOU?

The thought of putting on the Malaysian T shirt and representing our country on the world stage is what keeps me motivated daily and to push myself to improve.

 

IF YOU COULD PLAY ANOTHER SPORT WHAT WOULD IT BE?

That sport would be tennis. Initially I played tennis before moving on to squash, I couldn’t take the hot weather in Malaysia.

 

WHEN YOU WERE IN HIGH SCHOOL, WHAT KIND OF MENTAL STRATEGIES DID YOU EMPLOY TO HANDLE ADVERSE SITUATIONS?

The mental strategy I used back in high school was taking 1 day at a time because we were all on a daily schedule.

 

WAS IT EASIER TO FOCUS ON PHYSICAL OR MENTAL CHALLENGES  WHEN YOU WERE IN HIGH SCHOOL?

It wasn’t easy going through high school as an athlete as you are trying to juggle both education and sports. I believe the toughest mental challenge I faced during high school was to stay focused in class after our morning training sessions.

 

WHAT PERSONALITY TRAIT DO YOU THINK HELPED YOU AS AN ATHLETE?

I would have to say hard working and determination. Because to be an athlete, there are lots of sacrifices you have to make and plenty of hardship you have to go through as well.

 

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE IN GOOD PHYSICAL SHAPE WHO THINKS THEY COULD BECOME AN ATHLETE?

Mostly it would come down to the players work rate and also attitude towards their training. Some players I see just want to be good and famous but are unwilling to put in the hard work.

 

ARE THERE ANY FAMOUS ATHLETES THAT INSPIRE YOU? WHY AND HOW ARE THEY INSPIRATIONAL TO YOU?The athlete that has inspired me throughout my life would be Roger Federer. It’s just about the calmness Federer takes to him each match and how much he has helped tennis grow as a sport. Being able to know what it takes to be Greatest of all time for so many generations just amaze me.

 

WHAT MENTAL STRATEGIES DID YOU IMPLEMENT THROUGHOUT THE MOST CHALLENGING TRAINING OR ASSIGNMENTS? HOW DID YOU CHNAGE THESE STRATEGIES TO ADAPT?

The method of relaxation and visualization. I always tried to keep myself calm and focused when facing tough assignments. Visualization helps me to visual things that are going to happen soon, it would help get myself mentally ready.

 

 HOW WOULD YOU DEAL WITH YOUR STRESS WHEN YOU CANNOT PERFORM ESPECIALLY DURING THE LOCKDOWN?

It is stressful not being able to do anything during the country wide lockdown, but it’s a matter of personal health and persons safety. For me, frequently talking to close friends and my parents would help me distress. I always had the mindset that this is a challenge for me and I’m not the only one suffering, everyone in Malaysia is facing the same situation.

 

CAN YOU TELL ME ABOUT YOUR HOPES AND DREAMS FOR THE FUTURE? WHAT FEELINGS HAVE YOU HAD  RECENTLY ABOUT WORKING TOWARDS THOSE GOALS?

For me personally l dream to one day be Head Coach or Director of coaching for Malaysia. Being able to hold such a position would be a significant achievement in my career.

 

HOW HAVE THINGS CHANGED SINCE YOU FIRST STARTED WORKING IN THIS FIELD AS A COACH?

Things have really changed a lot. I must look at everything as a whole instead of just myself. Understanding a player, their playing style, personalities, what motivates them. Also my action and attitude plays a big part because the players are looking up to me, so being a good role model is important to me.

 

WHEN YOU FACED A SITUATION WHERE A FRIEND OR YOU AS A STUDENT WERE EMOTIONALLY DISTRESSED AFTER SUFFEREING A TRAUMATIC EXPERIENCE, HOW DID YOU RESPOND?

Firstly, I would sit down and listen to their whole story and what has caused this experience. When I understand the situation then I’ll help to them to understand and what would be the best way to approach it in the future. Sometimes I would mention my own life experiences to show how I would approach the problem if I was in their shoes.

 

WHAT ARE THE WAYS TO KEEP LOOKING AFTER YOUR MENTAL HEALTH AS LOCKDOWN EASES?

For me, it was always looking for something to learn. For example, this lockdown I started reading again and read up books which are related to personal growth, sports biographies. You can find so many new things to learn on the internet nowadays. It’s fine to slack off a little and be a lazy bum but never take yourself away from your main goal.

 

HOW DO YOU COPE WITH DEPRESSION AND ANAXIETY AS AN ATHLETE DURING THE PANDEMIC?

I believe it's always best to open up to people on what you are facing before it is too late. As an athlete, you are goal driven so sticking to your personal goals can help keep you motivated.

 

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU HAVE FOR PEOPLE WHO WANT TO DO WHAT YOU DO?

Squash has given me so much throughout the years that I have been involved. Being able to travel around the world, meeting new people and learning new cultures and doing something I enjoy. I would tell them always set goals to achieve what you want, work towards it, stay humble. Look for a role model and pick up personal traits from him or her. Enjoy the journey because it’s going to be a crazy roller coaster ride.

 

                                                                                                                        

                                                      ' BELIEVE IT AND ONE DAY AND YOU WILL ACHIEVE IT '

 

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