Malaysian squash looks beyond 2028 Olympics after grant boost
The Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) has always had successful long-term development plans. That is how the likes of Datuk Nicol David, Ong Beng Hee, and Mohd Azlan Iskandar reached such dizzying heights on the world stage.
The tradition continues through S. Sivasangari, the women's world No. 7, and men's world No. 12, Ng Eain Yow. Aifa Azman and Aira Azman are ranked world No. 42 and 21, respectively. All four are in the government's Road to Gold programme for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Another player, Rachel Arnold, is ranked No. 19.
SRAM is now looking beyond 2028 and aims to double or even triple its grassroots base. This follows its selection as one of eight sports chosen by the Youth and Sports Ministry to receive part of an RM20 million grant. The grant is aimed at enhancing training and development for Olympic medal prospects.
Besides squash, the other sports are athletics, archery, badminton, cycling, diving, swimming, and taekwondo.
'We have development plans for the elite and back-up players, but we can now ramp up the development of the grassroots thanks to the government grant,' said SRAM advisor, Major (rtd) S. Maniam.
He was previously SRAM's director of coaching.
'For 2028, we have already identified the players who will lead our Olympic Games challenge. But we must not rest on our laurels.
'We must look at the 2032 and 2036 Olympic cycles. Now is the time for us to intensify our talent search.'
Maniam, who was at the helm when David, Ong, and Azlan came through the ranks, said SRAM hopes to help the state associations by getting more involved in their development.
'With this extra funding, we can help by giving them extra funds, more assistance with coaching, and access to facilities,' said Maniam.
'We are looking at doubling or tripling the number of players at the base. If the base is large, the growth will improve, and we will have a wider pool of players.
'We hope to have young players – aged 13-15 – start producing results in the country and the region. We hope to see them shine in the next four years.'
Separately, Maniam said he hopes the national elite players can resume training at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur, by the middle of the year.
The National Squash Centre, built for the 1998 Commonwealth Games, was closed in October 2023 for renovations.
Since then, the national players have been training at the National Sports Council Squash Centre in Jalan Duta, Kuala Lumpur.
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