Jinoreeka's rise in squash fuelled by parents' dedication and big spending

New Straits Times

06-07-2025

KUALA LUMPUR: Parents play a pivotal role in shaping their children's futures — just ask former state hockey player R. Manivannan and his wife Toh Chee Kuan.
The Ipoh-based couple have poured in time, energy and over RM250,000 to support their only child, rising squash star Jinoreeka Ning (https://www.nst.com.my/sports/others/2025/07/1240447/coachless-jinoreeka...).
The duo run a humble restaurant in Ipoh Garden specialising in curry mee and Hainanese chicken rice, but their greatest pride is Jinoreeka, who is fast making a name for herself on the junior squash circuit, both locally and internationally.
The 15-year-old bagged her second continental title on Saturday, clinching the Girls' Under-15 crown at the Asian Junior Squash Championships in Gimcheon, South Korea.
It was her second Asian Junior title after winning the Under-13 crown in China two years ago.
Remarkably, Jinoreeka, a Form Three student of Methodist Girls' School in Ipoh, who picked up squash at the age of eight, has amassed 20 junior titles without a full-time coach.
"I love squash because it's fast-paced and challenging," said Jinoreeka, who dreams of becoming a world-class player within five years.
With no coach based in Ipoh, Jinoreeka travels to Cairo for training stints under renowned Egyptian coach Omar Aziz — best known for working with world No. 3 Hania El Hammamy.
"I saw Omar on television coaching Hania and told my dad that I wanted him as my coach," said Jinoreeka.
"We got in touch and he agreed. When I'm back in Ipoh, I stick to the training programme he provides."
Her parents were in the stands to witness her latest triumph in Korea, spending RM10,000 just to be there.
Despite their business commitments, Manivannan and his wife prioritise their daughter's budding career.
"I've travelled with Jinoreeka to Cairo eight times in the last two years, spending over RM250,000," said Manivannan, 54, who played for Perak and Maybank in hockey.
"I even cook our meals when we travel. We want her to be as good as the Egyptians. That's why we're making all these sacrifices."
When back in Malaysia, Manivannan drives his daughter to Kuala Lumpur on weekends for sparring sessions at Lake View Club and Jalan Duta Courts.
"We're doing everything we can to help her succeed," he added.
"Our dream is for Jinoreeka to compete at the British Junior Open next year."
Manivannan was part of the Perak side that won the Razak Cup in 1992, and now, more than 30 years later, he's working hard to help his daughter script her own sporting legacy.