HONG Kong's top locally-born player Andrew Shum Siu-chung faces a lengthy ban from the sport after he was thrown out of the New Zealand Open for striking his opponent yesterday.
Shum was trailing 15-8, 15-8, 13-7 in his match against Campbell Barbour when he showed his frustration and hit the 21-year-old New Zealander in the side with the handle of his racquet.
Referee Peter Highsted did not hesitate in disqualifying the Hong Kong Sports Institute scholarship athlete, although Barbour was not injured.
''We were close together and suddenly I felt a jab in my side,'' Barbour said.
''He had given me what you might call a short-arm jab with the handle of his racquet.
''I took exception and he was most apologetic, but the referee disqualified him.'' Shum, whose earnings of US$150 as a first-round loser were withheld until his case has been considered by the International Squash Players' Association, said later he regretted his action.