KUALA LUMPUR – While Malaysia’s squash achievements often shine on the international stage, a significant challenge looms, particularly within the men’s team. This disparity is becoming increasingly concerning.
Ng Eain Yow, the standout star, is making waves at 13th in the world rankings. However, his teammates face a steeper climb, with the rest of the squad struggling to break into the top 50.
Addeen Idrakie holds the 65th spot, Sanjay Jeeva is at 69th, Syafiq Kamal is positioned at 107th, Ong Sai Hung is at 120th, and Darren Pragasam trails at 125th.
Meanwhile, Ivan Yuen, who was a key player for Malaysia and won a gold medal at the 2018 Jakarta/Palembang Asian Games, has decided to step down from the national squad.
The gap highlights a pressing issue that needs to be addressed if Malaysia is to sustain its reputation in squash.
Speaking to Scoop, rising young player Ameeshanraj Chandran acknowledges the gap that needs to be closed in order to follow in the footsteps of his compatriots in the women’s team.
Currently, four Malaysian women’s squash players are ranked in the top 50 in the world.
Leading the group is S. Sivasangari at number 9, followed by Rachel Arnold at number 24 and the Azman sisters, with Aifa ranked 35th and her younger sister Aira at 36th.
Furthermore, according to the announcement made by the Youth and Sports Ministry (KBS) in July, of the four players selected for the fast-track program ‘Road to Gold’ in preparation for winning medals at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics, only Eain Yow is a men’s player. The remaining three are S. Sivasangari, Aira Azman, and Aifa Azman.
“From my point of view, it’s always about Eain Yow and Ivan, and then there’s Addeen, Syafiq, and other players ranked in the top 80 and 90.
“Eain Yow’s choice to leave the country and explore different training methods in more successful squash nations was a big move. It shows that for those of us staying here, we need more chances to play in tough scenarios and train with top players to get better.
“I’ve learned there’s so much more to squash. I’m only 20, but after spending three years in Bristol, my view on the sport has completely changed.
“Working with Hadrian Stiff, who used to coach former world number one Mohamed El Shorbagy, has been amazing. Getting to work with someone who has trained the best and shared in those tough times has really opened my eyes,” said Ameeshanraj, who is currently studying at the University of the West of England (UWE) in Bristol.
At present, Ameeshanraj is ranked 132nd, but he has already been hailed as the promising new star of Malaysian squash due to his outstanding performance since moving to the senior level three years ago.
Additionally, he claimed his first title this year by winning the Liverpool Cricket Club Open in England last April.
“I feel that as I’ve grown up, I’ve always had high expectations for myself. My parents have never pressured me; they’ve always been supportive. The pressure is internal—my own high expectations create a sense of burden more than anyone else’s expectations could. So, I wouldn’t call it a burden, just a matter of having high expectations,” he added.
Ameeshan has successfully advanced to the quarter-finals of the ACE Challenger Tour after defeating Egyptian player Yassin Shohdy with a score of 11-6, 11-1, 11-1 in just 28 minutes.
In tomorrow’s semi-finals, he will face the top seed of the tournament, Velavan Senthilkumar from India.
In the women’s category, Aifa has also secured a spot in the semi-finals. As the top seed, she achieved this by defeating Salma El Alfy from Egypt. – September 6, 2024