KUALA LUMPUR - The Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) is optimistic that the 2021 Men’s World Team Squash Championships scheduled to be held at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil from Dec 7 to 11, can be staged successfully.
Though the tournament is pending approval from the Ministry of Youth and Sports (KBS), SRAM president Gerard Monteiro is confident that the world meet can be organised based on the government’s decision to open up more sectors, following the good process of vaccination and stabilising the daily COVID-19 cases.
“We are doing everything humanly possible to make it happen, so I am confident we can get approval. We are expecting to hear from KBS by next week on the updates,” he said.
The World Squash Federation (WSF) in May announced that Malaysia would be hosting the Men’s World Championships after a 24-year gap, and the first time in Asia since the 2007 edition in Chennai, India.
The world meet, originally scheduled to be held in Tauranga, New Zealand, had to be moved due to the strict travel restrictions in the country to curb the COVID-19 pandemic, where entry to passengers from all countries would be strictly controlled.
Meanwhile, SRAM director, Major (rtd) S. Maniam said the association has been in regular discussions with the WSF on the standard operating procedures (SOP) involved in hosting the tournament under the travel bubble concept.
“Among the SOPs involved are that upon arrival, the players will need to undergone a real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) test and quarantined for 48 hours. They will only be allowed to train and compete once the result returns as negative.
“Throughout the tournament, they are not allowed to go out anywhere except between the competition venue and hotel. The participants also need to undergo the RTK-Antigen test every three days as part of the measures to curb the deadly virus,” he said.
According to Maniam, 22 countries have so far confirmed their participation in the tournament.
This world meet is hoped to serve as a consolation for SRAM, after missing out on hosting the 2020 Women’s World Team Squash Championships due to the pandemic.
Malaysia had participated in the Men’s World Team Championships 18 times since 1979, but had never finished on the podium with its best-ever achievement being fifth place in the 2011 and 2005 editions.
Malaysia finished ninth in the 2019 edition held in Washington, United States, which was won by squash powerhouse Egypt. - Bernama, September 24, 2021
