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From squash champion to cleaner, Low sinks into despair

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Kenneth Low’s plight throws the spotlight once again on Malaysia’s treatment of its sporting heroes.

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Free Malaysia Today
Former top wall-basher Kenneth Low is now a cleaner at an archery centre in Kuala Lumpur.

PETALING JAYA:
From squash highs to lows in personal life, former Malaysian sporting star Kenneth Low Ewe Loong has sunk into the depths of despair.

Once a six-time national No 1 squash player, Low, 47, now works as a cleaner, is broke, and battling poor health.

He is suspected to be suffering from stroke-induced impairment, reduced coordination and motor skills, cognitive disability and short-term memory dysfunction.

Low does not have the money for tests to determine the severity of the damage to the brain.

He has gone from wall-basher, once rated No 4 in Asia and No 38 in the world, to cleaning floors, mirrors, doors, tables and chairs at his workplace.

Two years ago, he mopped and swept floors, wiped mirrors and cleaned the interior of elevators, together with foreign workers, at condominiums.

“It’s a matter of survival, and I will do whatever it takes to earn a living,” said Low of his month-old job at the Best Archery Centre in Glo Damansara.

“I can’t complain as there are many people who don’t have jobs. At least I have a job and I am not a burden to anyone,” he offered.

He is thankful to have been given a second chance at life by the archery centre’s owner-coach, Jeffrey Kok. “The only happiness I have is being with good-hearted people.”

Caring for Low

Free Malaysia Today
Jeffrey Kok (left) says he did not hire Kenneth Low out of pity, but to give him a chance to regain his sanity.

Kok said he originally hired Low as a coach even though he knew nothing about archery.

“He needed urgent help but I didn’t employ him out of pity,” said Kok. “We look to train people with no archery experience as coaches because it is something we can teach from zero.”

Kok said he did not expect Low’s disability to be so severe and that his menial chores were to help him get back his body coordination.

“When you talk to him, he’s normal but when we put him to the task we were shocked that he was unable to do basic day to day things, and lacked coordination skills.

“A simple thing like stringing a bow is challenging for him, but he will overcome it as his strength is starting from scratch to reach the top.

“It’s really hard to have been at the pinnacle, and then having to start all over again, and I admire him for that. He is humble enough to keep trying and I applaud him for being a survivor,” Kok said.

Kok said he wants to get Low more involved in the safety of the range and engaged in the day to day activities.

“Right now, he is still an observer and we will give him room to do what he is able to do, including working with the students as a range assistant,” he said.

Asked if he was happy with his job, Low said he was looking forward to coming out of the rut with the help of Kok and his team.

“No one will say they are happy with a monthly salary of RM1,500, but for me it is enough as I am able to eat, and to do little things that make me happy,” he said.

Low is one of many former athletes who had given up their studies to pursue their sporting careers, and does not have an education background to fall back on.

Low at his lowest

“When I suffered a stroke about two years ago, I needed help, but there was no one around,” said Kuala Lumpur-born Low. His father had passed away from a stroke, his older brother was similarly afflicted, and his mother couldn’t do anything as she is in her 70s.

“I was all by myself, struggling financially and experiencing depression,” said Low, whose marriage had broken down before he was struck by a stroke.

He said he has not seen his son, Mohamed Nico, who moved with his mother to Sabah since he was five years old.

“Nico is now 11, and my sadness will disappear if I have him beside me, and it will all be so different,” said Low, proudly showing a picture of his son on his mobile phone.

Sadly, Low cannot remember the days when he helped Malaysian squash reign supreme internationally. His medals are with his mother in Puchong, and he doesn’t have a single photograph of his playing days.

He stared blankly when he was reminded it was his victory in the deciding game in 2000 that ended Pakistan’s stranglehold on the Asian team squash championships since the event’s inception in 1981.

Low smiled when told he made up for his surprise exit to Pakistan’s Mansoor Zaman in the individual semi-finals by beating Ajaz Azmat 9-1 9-3 4-9 9-5 in the thrilling title decider in Hong Kong.

Forgotten athletes

Free Malaysia Today
Kenneth Low (second from right) cannot remember the number of times he represented Malaysia. He is pictured here with his Malaysian teammates at the 1993 Singapore SEA Games.

Low’s plight once again throws the spotlight on Malaysia’s treatment of its sporting heroes, many of whose sufferings remain hidden from the mainstream

Through the years there has been a lack of official support for the wellbeing of retired athletes, save for the limited financial and medical aid that the National Athletes Welfare Foundation (Yakeb) provides them.

Low said he only knew about Yakeb when its chairman Noorul Ariffin visited him on July 16 after being alerted to his predicament by former national high jumper Loo Kum Zee.

Noorul said he will help fast-track Low’s medical treatment and provide him with a monthly allowance of RM300.

Those who wish to help Low can make their contributions to Public Bank account 4919922822, with “Kenneth Low Welfare” as the reference.

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