PETALING JAYA: Ng Eain Yow, who began playing squash at seven, has harboured a long-standing dream of competing in the Olympics and ultimately bringing home a gold medal for Malaysia.
However, his dream had to be put on hold as squash was not included in the quadrennial sporting event.
Now, Ng’s hopes have been rekindled following the decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to include squash in the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, United States.
The 25-year-old is hopeful he can add an Olympic gold to the gold medal he won in the men’s squash event at the Hangzhou 2023 Asian Games last month.
“In the next five years, we need to target the gold medal and work hard for it,” Ng told FMT.
But Malaysia isn’t relying solely on the 2016 world junior squash champion.
The country is also counting on 24-year-old S Sivasangari, who won gold medals in the women’s individual and team categories at the Asian Games, as well as siblings Aifa and Aira Azman, who are 22 and 19, respectively, and Ameeshenraj Chandran, 19.
Aiming to be among the top 10 players in the world by 2028, Ng also hopes for financial support from various parties.
“Competing in the Olympics is more challenging, but in the coming years, if we can get support and funding to compete on the professional circuit, it might help.
“We need to gain experience by competing with professional players (if it is possible). I don’t see any issues with us targeting the gold medal.”
Meanwhile, the coaching director for the Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) S Maniam said that Ng is currently ranked number 20 in the world, while Sivasangari and Aifa are ranked joint-30th.
“We have five years to ensure our players enter the top 10 in the world to vie for medals at the Olympic Games.”
Maniam added that the association is planning to expose the players to more international competitions, apart from intensifying their training. - FMT
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