NATIONAL squash player Sivasangari Subramaniam is among four squash players selected under the Fast Track athletes' training programme for initial preparation for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, the Sports Ministry said today.
It said the other squash players are Ng Eain Yow, Aifa Azman, and Aira Azman.
Athletes under this initiative will receive individual training grants in the form of specialised coaching assistance, training and rehabilitation equipment, medical and sports science support services, overseas training exposure, and technical expertise services in their respective sports, it added in a statement.
The decision was made at a National Sports Council-held RTG LA 2028 Fast Track Workshop with association representatives, coaches, MSN, and ISN officials on May 1 to 3.
“Sivasangari, who will be based in Ithaca, New York, will be supervised by personal trainer David Palmer and physical trainer Mark Burn.
“She will also receive sports science and sports medicine support services at his (Burn’s) training centre as well as at the National Sports Institute (ISN),” it said.
Ng meanwhile will be training at Msquash Norwalk, Connecticut in the US under coach Shaun Moxham and will also undergo a central training camp in Cairo, Egypt.
For the two sisters, Aifa and Aira Azman, their initial preparation will be more focused on undergoing a central training camp locally with coach Andrew Sam Cross.
They will also undergo attachment programmes periodically in Pontefract, in the UK.
These two athletes will also be assisted by physical trainers who have been identified and their physical performance will be monitored by the National Sports Institute.
“All these athletes have been set targets that need to be achieved each year.
“Among them is improving the world ranking and winning medals at the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games 2026,” said the ministry.
The ministry added that the RTG Committee through the National Sports Council will continue to hold discussions with all stakeholders to ensure that preparations for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games can begin as soon as the Paris 2024 Olympic Games end.
The ministry was responding to an article in The Malaysian Insight that questioned the supposed lack of support for Sivasangari. – August 2, 2024.
