KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 2: Former Asian squash champion Azlan Iskandar announced on Sunday that he would be retiring as a professional after 12 years at the top of the game.

The Malaysian, ranked No 14 in the world last month, said he found it hard to “find inspiration” after more than a decade as a Professional Squash Association (PSA) member.

“It was a decision that has been going through my mind for a good six months after I got injured a few times earlier this year,” the 30-year-old said in a press release.

“I also set huge, huge targets when I was 12 (years old), and I achieved them all last year and the year before.

“I found it hard, or have been finding it hard, to find new goals in the heights of squash achievements, per se,” he added.

Azlan, who moved back from London to Kuala Lumpur early this year, told AFP he had completely recovered from a hamstring and other injuries after missing several games recently.

He added that he would continue to train and would represent Malaysia as an amateur in the Commonwealth Games (2014) and Asian Games (2014) if selected.

He will now focus on developing the sport in Malaysia through organising events and other initiatives.

Azlan, who ranked world number 10 at the height of his career last year, has reached 24 PSA world tour finals and won 14 tour titles, including three Malaysian Open crowns between 2004 and 2010.

He was Asian Games gold medallist in 2010 and twice winner of the Asian Championship.—AFP