YOUNG foreign and local squash players from 12 countries will be taking part in the PBA 18th Penang (Malaysia) Junior Open 2022 this year.
The event, scheduled to be held from Oct 11 to 16, would see the participation of about 580 players (80 foreign and 500 local players).
Organising chairman Datuk Linda Geh said some 100 officials would also be joining the event, which would be held at the Nicol David International Squash Centre in Bukit Dumbar.
“Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) was able to incorporate this year’s event as a Malaysian Junior Open for the ninth consecutive year.
“The Asian Squash Federation (ASF) has categorised it as an Asian Junior Super Series Platinum Event; hence, participants of PBA 18th Penang (Malaysia) Junior Open 2022 will be able to earn Asian Junior Ranking points.
“There is a total prize money of RM10,000 to be won, which will be set aside for the Top Four finishers of the Under 19 and Under 17 categories,” Geh, who is also the Squash Rackets Association of Penang (SRAP) deputy president, told a media conference in St Giles The Wembley Hotel today.
Geh said the event has 10 categories – Under 11 (Boys and Girls), Under 13 (Boys and Girls), Under 15 (Boys and Girls), Under 17 (Boys and Girls), and Under 19 (Boys and Girls).
“Among the foreign countries taking part in the competition are Japan, Pakistan, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, and Sri Lanka.
“We hope to groom our young generation to become professional squash players. This is a good platform for our young aspiring players to gain experience,” she said.
Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP) is the event’s main sponsor, while Dunlop is the official product sponsor. It is also supported by the Penang State Sports Council (MSNPP) and Penang Island City Council.
She added that a welcome dinner is scheduled to be held on Oct 11 at St Giles The Wembley Hotel.
Also present at the media conference were tournament director Ivan Ng, state Youth and Sports assistant officer Chew Kok Rui, SRAP committee member Khoo Teng Hin, and PBAPP representative Tan Ju Lee.
Story by Christopher Tan
Pix by Darwina Mohd Daud