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New Straits Times
a day ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Malaysia Cup faces axe as organisers struggle for sponsorship
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.
New Straits Times
02-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
'Fire Dragon' Herry IP to face wrath of Indonesian fans at Istora Senayan
KUALA LUMPUR: The Istora Senayan in Jakarta is a venue most non-Indonesian shuttlers dread — and this week, national men's doubles coach Herry IP could face the full wrath of its passionate crowd. Herry, who once produced some of Indonesia's greatest men's doubles stars, is now plotting their downfall as he attempts to lead Malaysia to their first men's doubles title at the Indonesia Open in 15 years. The man known as the Fire Dragon is no stranger to the Istora — once his favourite battleground. But this time, he returns as the enemy. Since joining the BA of Malaysia (BAM) in February, Herry's impact has been electric, guiding national pairs to four consecutive titles on the World Tour since April. Unsurprisingly, his decision to cross over to Malaysia has not gone down well in Indonesia. With the once-dominant Indonesian pairs struggling for form, some fans are pointing fingers at Herry for their downfall. But the veteran coach insists he has no regrets. "It's normal for a coach to face these tough situations," Herry to Timesport. "I just have to enjoy the atmosphere. I'm not worried about the pressure. I've always said I'm a professional and will give my best to the national men's pairs I'm now coaching." Herry had steered Indonesia's men's doubles to nine home titles before moving to Malaysia. But now his mission is to end Malaysia's long drought — the last success coming from Zakry Latif-Fairuzizuan Tazari in 2008. There's reason for hope. World No. 3 Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik and world No. 7 Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun are in fine form ahead of the Super 1000 event, which begins Tuesday. Aaron-Wooi Yik have already bagged three titles this year and are entering their fourth tournament in as many weeks. Fatigue could be a factor as they open against Denmark's world No. 16 Rasmus Kjaer-Frederik Sogaard before a potential second-round showdown with India's 2023 Asian Games champions Satwiksairaj Rankireddy-Chirag Shetty (No. 27). The Malaysians recently beat the Indian pair in the Singapore Open semi-finals. Wei Chong-Kai Wun, meanwhile, have a more favourable path, beginning with Americans Chen Zhi Yi-Presley Smith (No. 33), and likely facing compatriots Arif Junaidi-Yap Roy King (No. 23) for a place in the quarter-finals. Top seeds and world No. 1 Goh Sze Fei-Nur Izzuddin Rumsani, an independent pair, should have little trouble overcoming Taiwan's Lee Fang Chih-Lee Fang Jen (No. 20) in their opener. Also flying the Malaysian flag are Nur Azriyn Ayub-Tan Wee Kiong (No. 28) and Ong Yew Sin-Teo Ee Yi (No. 32).
New Straits Times
11-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
'Silent planner' Cklamovski ready to roar with Harimau Malaya
KUALA LUMPUR: Peter Cklamovski quietly worked for over a decade in uplifting Asian football. Today, the man from Down Under no longer plans from behind the scenes, he is now the one setting the scene as head coach of Harimau Malaya. From his early days working with Ange Postecoglou (in Australia's national team) to now leading Malaysia's national team, Cklamovski's path has been defined by clarity, vision, and relentless conviction. As the Australian sets his template for Malaysian football, it's not so much about the Postecoglou way, but evolving from a system that began two decades ago. "No, it's different, because I guess with Postecoglou, I developed in every role under him," said Cklamovski in a special interview with Timesport. "My relationship or connection with Postecoglou on and off the field is something that I don't think can ever be replaced." Postecoglou, who is now with English Premier League club Tottenham Hotspur, has had a glittering spell as Australia's national coach. He led the Socceroos from 2013 to 2017 — Australia qualified for the 2014 World Cup and won the 2015 Asian Cup. For Cklamovski, the connection with Postecoglou goes far beyond results. "He's someone I look up to in every way as a coach. He's a super coach. I learned everything from him. "Fifteen years with him, I evolved with him. And I think 2004 was my first time with Postecoglou, and if I look at what we did in 2004 and what we finished with in 2019, winning the J-League together, it's totally different work." Cklamovski was not just a sidekick on Postecoglou's journey, he was a co-architect. "We evolved together. We evolved our process, our way of working together. He evolved, I evolved. I ensured I kept pushing him every day, because in that sense, I know that I'm pushing myself every day. After all, he's ahead of me," he said. That foundation now serves Malaysia, where Cklamovski wants to craft a football culture rooted in process, not pressure. "Everything I've been through in my career has brought me to this point.
New Straits Times
04-05-2025
- Politics
- New Straits Times
Sports Commissioner says Malaysian cricket leadership still in limbo
KUALA LUMPUR: Though the Malaysian Cricket Association (MCA) has elected a new set of office bearers, the controversy over its leadership is far from over. Sports Commissioner Suhardi Alias has said that the national body's leadership dispute remains unresolved due to legal proceedings initiated by two parties. "As both sides have lodged police reports and taken legal action, we cannot accept or reject the outcome of the BGM (Biennial General Meeting) at this stage," said Suhardi when contacted by Timesport on Sunday. "We must wait for the police to complete their investigations and for the court to determine the status of the association. Only then will we make a final decision based on verified facts." In April, the MCA held an Emergency General Meeting (EGM) to pass a vote of no confidence against its then president Mohammed Iqbal Ali Kassim Ali. An insider said 11 state affiliates were unhappy with Iqbal's leadership and his unilateral decision-making. Iqbal subsequently resigned, claiming of a coup against him. However, he retracted his resignation letter and argued that the requisition for the EGM — aimed at removing MCA executive committee members — was likely ultra vires (without authority) and conducted in bad faith. He alleged that several individuals nominated for leadership positions were aware of the alleged plot, with one even acting as a representative for the purported signatories. Iqbal, who served two terms as MCA president from 2021, said reports had been lodged with the Sports Commissioner's Office and the International Cricket Council Anti-Corruption Unit for immediate intervention. Additional reports were also filed with the Royal Malaysia Police and the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission. However, the MCA "new faction" proceeded with their BGM on April 27, during which Mahinda Vallipuram returned as president, having previously held the role from 2015-2021. Malaysian cricket has drawn renewed attention following the allocation of RM1 million for the sport's development under Budget 2025. Under Iqbal's leadership, the MCA hosted the Under-19 women's T20 World Cup from Jan 18-Feb 2. However, Malaysia lost all their four group-stage matches and finished last in the 16-team tournament.
New Straits Times
03-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Beijing-born swimmer Shannon hopes to represent Malaysia
KUALA LUMPUR: A Beijing-born teenager hopes to splash her way into the Malaysian swimming team. Shannon Tan, 15, shone at the recent Malaysia Open in Bukit Jalil, surpassing the Thailand Sea Games Category B qualifying mark of 5:13.05 (400m individual medley). She clocked 5 minutes 11.46 seconds to finish second. Malaysia Aquatics had said it would select swimmers for the Sea Games based on performances at the Malaysia Open. This has put Shannon in contention to represent the birth country of her parents though she is not part of Malaysia's national back-up squad, Shannon lives in Shanghai with her parents, William Tan and Lydia Lim, both corporate executives who have resided in China for the past 22 years. "I was really surprised and happy when I found out I had met the Sea Games Category B cut," Shannon told Timesport. Despite living abroad for more than two decades, Lydia said she and her husband remain proud Malaysians. "We try to bring Shannon home as often as we can, so she can compete in local meets," said Lydia. "She has cousins in Selangor, which is why she represents Selangor when competing here. Prior to the Malaysia Open, she participated in the Malaysia International Age Group Championships in February." Shannon, who enjoys baking and listening to music, learned to swim at the age of six. "When I first started swimming, it was purely for fun — not to compete. At eight, I gradually began entering larger meets through my school," she said. "I train in Shanghai with my school team. I also have additional training sessions arranged by my coaches and teachers to help balance my academics with swimming. "I would love to join the Malaysian swim team if picked. I believe I still have plenty of room for growth."
