As S. Sivasangari, Ng Eain Yow shine, SRAM wants to unearth more squash talents ahead of 2028 Olympics

Two former Malaysian squash players turned Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) officials are optimistic that the country’s squash scene will continue to thrive.

Former Asian champions Azlan Iskandar and Sharon Wee, the national body’s deputy and vice-president respectively, said the association is working hard to ensure there is an adequate production line of players who can push the nation’s top players, Ng Eain Yow and S. Sivasangari, ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics where the sport makes its debut.

Last week, Sivasangari toppled three top 10 players en route to winning the London Squash Classic. The last time a Malaysian won a gold-level tournament on the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Tour was Datuk Nicol David in 2015.

Sivasangari, who suffered a major car crash in 2022, went on to win the gold medal in the women’s singles event at the Asian Games the following year. Ng won the Asian Games gold medal in the team event in the 2018 edition, and won the gold medal in the men's singles event at the Asian Games in Hangzhou last year.

On April 7, Ng captured his first PSA World Tour title by beating Switzerland’s Dimitri Steinmann 12-10, 11-8, 10-12, 11-3 in the German Open.

Sivasangari would be 29, while Ng would be 30 when the 2028 Summer Games takes place.

“SRAM had a golden generation when (Ong) Beng Hee and Nicol won the world junior titles in 1998 and 1999. They went on to win the Asian titles, as did I,” said Azlan, the 2010 Asian Games men’s singles gold medallist.

“Nicol was an eight-time world champion, and players like Sharon also won gold medals in the SEA Games.

“SRAM has been working hard to find a new generation of winners. We don’t want to depend on one or two players.”

Azlan said having Sivasangari, Ng, and sisters Aifa and Aira Azman in the Malaysian government’s Road to Gold Fast Track programme – aimed at winning gold at the 2028 Olympics – was a boost.

“SRAM would like to thank the government for considering these players, as previously, the criteria to be in the Road To Gold programme was for them to be among the top 10 in the world,” said Azlan.

“All four are outside the top 10, but with the Los Angeles Olympics four years away, they have been included in the Fast Track programme. That means they would be getting extra funding to help with their development.”

He said their success would motivate the junior players to strive harder in the next four years.

Wee, a member of the women’s team which captured the gold medal at the 2010 Asian Games, said she hoped more private entities would support the association.

The 2005 SEA Games women’s singles champion said SRAM needs to send more players for international tournaments, and organise more big tournaments on home soil.

“Previously, we had events like the Malaysian Open and Kuala Lumpur Open. Those tournaments attracted top players and allowed our players to face them on home soil,” said Wee.

“We didn’t have the Malaysian Open last year, and it has been nearly a decade since we had the KL Open.

“If we can organise both events in the coming years, it will allow our players to face the top-ranked professionals.”

Wee added that squash has consistently put Malaysia on the world map, and its players are good ambassadors.

“I believe with more exposure and better funding, we will have several more players challenging for honours,” said Wee.

“The president and committee have worked hard to find the funds, but to make the next step, we need more private companies to help us.

“I am confident being in the Olympics will help our players in their quest for glory and attract sponsors.”

Wee added that the media, parents, and government support have been invaluable to the sport.

“There are many factors which have made squash a success. We need each other to continue on our successful path,” she added.

Images: PSA World Tour

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