THIS year’s 20th Penang (Malaysian) Junior Open 2024 squash tournament has attracted 693 local and international players to the Nicol David International Squash Centre, scheduled from June 11 to 16.
Out of the 693 players, 132 are foreign and 561 are local. The participants come from 16 countries, including Malaysia. In addition, there will be a total of 52 officials.
Selangor will send the biggest local contingent with 50 players, while Singapore will send the biggest foreign contingent with 117 players.
The foreign teams include AIN or Individual Neutral Athletes (1 player), Australia (1), China (15), Egypt (1), Holland (1), Hong Kong (23), India (5), Japan (14), South Korea (5), Macau (1), Pakistan (8), Qatar (2), Singapore (50), Thailand (2) and USA (2).
The local teams comprise Johor (26), Kuala Lumpur (40), Kedah (48), Kelantan (14), Melaka (22), Negeri Sembilan (48), Pahang (20), Perak (25), Perlis (21), Putrajaya (17), Sabah (11), Sarawak (31), Selangor (117), Terengganu (22), Bukit Jalil Sports School/SRAM (21) and Penang (78).
The event, sponsored by the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) and organised by the Squash Rackets Association of Penang (SRAP), features five age groups: Under-19, Under-17, Under-15, Under-13 and Under-11.
State Youth, Sports, and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen said the Penang (Malaysian) Junior Open has consistently played a pivotal role in exposing junior players to a high level of competition from a young age.
“The Asian Squash Federation (ASF) has awarded the event Platinum status on the Asian Junior Super Series, allowing all participants to earn Asian Junior rankings points, while Professional Squash Association (PSA) will award ranking points for top players in Under 17 and 19.
“The total prize money of RM10,000 will be given to the top four finishers in the U17 and U19 age groups.
“Dunlop will sponsor 10 squash rackets, racket bags, backpacks and 10 dozens of squash balls as official product sponsors.
“The Penang State Sports Council (MSNPP) and the Penang Island City Council (MBPP) will provide necessary supporting services to make the event a great success,” Gooi told a press conference at St Giles Wembley Penang today.
Gooi also thanked PBAPP for their continuous support, highlighting its importance in junior development programme, not only for Penang but also for the nation.
Host Penang will look to Nickleswar Moganasundharam (Boys Under-19), Ivan Chang (Boys Under-17), and Yek Rui Jean (Girls Under-15) for honours.
Nickleswar, along with Rui Jean, has been selected to take part in the 31st Asian Junior Individual Championship in Islamabad, Pakistan on June 25 to 29. Nickleswar and Ivan Chang have been chosen to play in the coming World Junior Squash Championships at Houston Squash Club in Houston, Texas from July 12 to 23.
Penang will also place its medal hopes on Kreethi Pilay, Tho Wei Yan (both Boys Under-19) and Vidhurran Ruthiran and Kayvern Arthur (both Boys Under-13).
Also present during the press conference were SRAP president Datuk Linda Geh; Squash Rackets Association of Malaysia vice-president Adrew Muthu; PBAPP head of customer service department Mohd Nizam Omar and MSNPP representative Azura Abd Rahman.
Story by Nur Syakirah Mohd Basri
Pix by Law Suun Ting