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KUALA LUMPUR – Despite free entry, members of the public who wish to watch the Malaysian Open Squash Championships 2021 are required to take a Covid-19 RTK (rapid test kits) test at the entrance as the competition is kicking off tomorrow at the National Squash Centre, Bukit Jalil.
Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) director Major (Rtd) S. Maniam said the RTK test would cost fans RM6 each.
“Fans will have to do the Covid-19 RTK test by themselves at the venue entry point whereas the kit will be distributed by our volunteers upon arrival,” he said.
Maniam also said that the kids under 12 years old are not allowed into the venue while spectator attendance is limited to 50 per cent of the venue capacity.
As this would be the first major squash international tournament here after two years, he called on the public to come forward and show their support for players at the venue.
Meanwhile, from a Malaysian perspective, Maniam said it would be very exciting to see how local players take on the foreign players on home soil apart from hoping that they would progress far in the competition.
A total of 24 stars in men’s and women’s categories respectively, from 15 countries will vie for the Malaysian Open 2021 title, with the first round starting tomorrow.
Reigning champion Ng Eain Yow will spearhead the Malaysian men’s challenge backed by Syafiq Kamal, Addeen Idrakie and Darren Rahul Pragasam.
The 23-year-old Eain Yow, who is currently ranked 18th in the world, is seeded third and received a bye in the first round.
He will meet either national number two and teammate Ivan Yuen or Hong Kong’s Lau Tsz Kwan in the second round this Wednesday.
Rachel Arnold, Aifa Azman, Chan Yiwen and Ooi Kah Yan are in the mix for Malaysian entries in the women’s category.
The Malaysian Open is a Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Tour Bronze event and will offer total prize money of US$50,000 (RM209,000) for both the men’s and women’s categories. – Bernama, November 22, 2021
