ACE Malaysia Squash Cup 2024 opens with record participation

The ACE Malaysia Squash Cup 2024 kicked off Tuesday with an unprecedented turnout of Malaysian players led by national champion S. Sivasangari and top seeds player Ng Eain Yow. This year’s tournament opened on a cutting-edge glass court at The Curve Shopping Mall, providing an exciting, immersive experience for local squash enthusiasts and fans. 

Now in its second year, this Bronze-level event on the Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Tour Series will run from November 12 to 17, with matches hosted at both The Curve and the National Sports Centre Courts (NSC) in Jalan Duta.

Top seeds and international stars

The tournament’s star-studded lineup includes top-seeded Malaysian players like Sivasangari, Egyptian prodigy Amina Orfi, and recent China Open champion Rachel Arnold. With more than 100,000 spectators expected over the weekend, this event is set to be one of the biggest squash showcases in Malaysia.

Male contenders feature Malaysia’s top seeds player Ng Eain Yow, leading seeds Youssef Soliman, Youssef Ibrahim, and Qatari dark horse Abdulla Al-Tamim, promising exciting match-ups.

Jadish Kumar, Lead Promoter for ACE Sports & Management, highlighted the participation of Malaysia’s Olympic hopefuls for the “Road to Gold” program. “We’re thrilled to see our local stars Sivasangari, sisters Aira and Aifa Azman, Eain, and Rachel competing at home. After her recent win in China, we’re hopeful Rachel will continue her winning streak here,” he said.

Jadish emphasised that the record number of Malaysians competing reflects the nation’s rising squash talent, with many players now ranked in the PSA top 100 and eligible for the Bronze-level tournament. “This milestone signifies a new era for Malaysian squash,” he added.

The tournament will feature first-round matches at NSC, while the second round will shift to the glass court at The Curve in Mutiara Damansara. The unique mall venue aims to attract more Malaysians to the sport, with squash positioned as a medal contender for Malaysia’s Road to Gold program targeting the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.

“Our goal is to bring squash to the public, leveraging the glass court in an open space so fans can enjoy it up close and be inspired to join the sport,” Jadish added.

International collaborations and technology

ACE Sports & Management collaborated with Cairo-based Faragallah Squash and FS Squash Academy UK to hold clinics across Malaysia, including at the University of Malaya and various schools, aiming to grow a new generation of Malaysian squash players. Jadish praised Faragallah’s work, noting their role in bringing Egyptian squash techniques to local training centres, while FS Squash Academy has been essential in helping ACE manage world-class events.

The World Squash Organisation will also conduct a seminar for Malaysian referees to update them on the latest tournament standards. This year, three Malaysian referees will officiate matches, a notable development for the local squash community.

The tournament is also supported by cutting-edge technology, with a glass court provided by CGG, enhancing the spectator experience. Further, ACE’s partnership with the University of the West of England (UWE) opens scholarship opportunities for young Malaysian squash talent, supporting professional pathways post-tournament years.

Last year’s inaugural Malaysia Squash Cup attracted 6,000 fans in Negeri Sembilan, while ACE’s Challenger events and 2024 Asian Zone qualifiers continue to build competitive pathways for Malaysian squash players.

Jadish expressed gratitude to Boustead Properties and the Royale Chulan group for their support, including venue provision and official hotel sponsorship.

The tournament offers a prize pool of USD 103,000 and will be broadcast on Astro Arena, Squash TV’s online platforms, and social media, reaching 376 million viewers across 155 countries.