Squash: SRAM to finally host Asian Team meet despite challenges

KUALA LUMPUR – The Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) is much relieved and proud to be able to host the 20th Asian Team Squash Championships scheduled from November 30 to December 4 at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil.

It is the second of SRAM’s triple-header after the Malaysian Open which ended on Saturday, and the Men’s World Team Championships to follow on December 7-12.

SRAM director Major (Rtd) S. Maniam believes there will be a sense of excitement for the first international team squash event in a while, with 12 men’s teams and eight women’s teams signed up although the run-up to the event hasn’t always been smooth sailing.

“It has been really tough trying to put this show together. From getting the government clearance and to ensuring teams get their MyTravel pass and visa.

“...and then there were also the quarantine requirements, but I believe we have ridden the wave and we’re very happy to receive the support from everyone,” he said in a statement yesterday. 

The team meet scheduled to be held last year, was forced to be put on hold due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

For the men’s competition, top-seeded India have been drawn in Pool A together with Pakistan, Japan, the Philippines, Iraq and Indonesia while Pool B will see Malaysia lining up with the likes of Hong Kong, Iran, South Korea, Singapore and Sri Lanka.

Malaysia, who will field world No 18 Ng Eain Yow, Ivan Yuen, Addeen Idrakie and Mohd Syafiq Kamal, are the second seeds, while defending champions Hong Kong are third seeds and record 15-time winners Pakistan the fourth seeds.

In the women’s competition, defending champions Hong Kong are the top seeds and are in Pool A with Japan, South Korea and Sri Lanka while Malaysia have been drawn into Group B with India, Iran and the Philippines.

The young Malaysian features the in-form pair of Rachel Arnold and Malaysian Open winner Aifa Azman, as well as Chan Yiwen and Noor Ainaa Amani Ampandi.

“Malaysia are seeded second for both the men’s and women’s events, and our target is to get into the final of both events. With the form of the girls, we are certainly hoping to score an upset and hopefully bring home the title this time,” Maniam said.

For the record, the national men’s team have won the title three times, with the last victory in 2008 while the women’s team, on the other hand, have won a record nine times, with the last title won in 2016. – Bernama, November 29, 2021