Malaysia Cup faces axe as organisers struggle for sponsorship

New Straits Times

2 days ago

KUALA LUMPUR: While more countries are ramping up efforts to host squash tournaments ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Malaysia are sadly struggling to raise funds to stage competitions.
This comes as a surprise for a nation that has produced an eight-time world champion in Datuk Nicol David, along with several top-10 players including S. Sivasangari, Low Wee Wern, Ong Beng Hee, Azlan Iskandar and Ng Eain Yow.
Timesport has learnt that the Malaysia Cup, a PSA Tour Bronze-level event scheduled to take place in Damansara from Aug 17-23, may be scrapped this year unless organisers ACE Sports and Management can secure sponsorship.
Squash is one of Malaysia's core sports, and with world No. 9 Sivasangari and world No. 12 Eain Yow expected to qualify for LA 28, the lack of support has raised eyebrows.
Formerly known as the Malaysia Open, the Malaysia Cup was first held in 1975.
ACE Sports and Management director R.A. Thiagaraja said the tournament is the season opening event for the new PSA Tour season.
"We approached private companies, banks and even the government for funding, but sadly, none are keen," he said.
"The Curve (venue at Mutiara Damansara) aren't charging us a cent, but passion alone is not enough to sustain sport."
Thiagaraja revealed that they need RM1.5 million to run the tournament.
"In 2023, we spent RM1.5 million on the event. The government only gave us RM300,000 and that was for all squash tournaments. Last year alone, it cost us RM3 million — RM1.5 million to organise and another RM1.5 million for the glass court. We didn't receive a single sen from the government."
He added that over the past two years, ACE has spent RM4.5 million, not including costs for organising Satellite circuits and the World Championships Asian Qualifier.
"This year, we spent RM550,000 on eight men's and women's Satellite circuits to help juniors. The Asian Qualifier alone cost nearly RM200,000.
"We went through SRAM (Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia) to approach the government, but no help came."
Thiagaraja stressed the importance of the Malaysia Cup in providing exposure for players such as Eain Yow, Sivasangari, Rachel Arnold, sisters Aira and Aifa Azman, Ainaa Amani, Sanjay Jeeva, C. Ameeshenraj and Yasshmita Jadish Kumar.
"It inspires fans and up-and-coming players to watch their idols live. Last year, the event attracted 3.3 million TV viewers from 56 countries.
"When we held the Malaysia Cup in 2023, Malaysia had 29 professionals. Today, we have over 100 pro players — a promising sign. But without a local tournament, our players lose a vital opportunity to compete at home — a major blow ahead of LA 28."
He added: "Many countries have started hosting tournaments after squash was included in the Olympics.
"PSA COO Tommy Berden said it would be a shame if the Malaysia Cup doesn't happen. The PSA has given us until the end of July to secure funding."
In a stinging comparison, Thiagaraja noted that Singapore — despite not having world-class squash players — will stage the Singapore Open on Aug 12-16.