Players glad to be allowed to go back to courts
FINALLY, there are reasons for the national squash players to wear a smile on their faces as they have been given the green light to resume training, with opportunities to rejoin the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Tour.
The national players were barred from training at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil when the Movement Control Order (MCO) was implemented in January.
Except for Bristol-based Ng Eain Yow, the rest have not competed in a PSA Tour event since the Covid-10 pandemic broke out last year.
Men’s national No 1 Eain Yow have been competing in events since September.
The Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) said their players will report to camp
tomorrow and are expected to start training by Tuesday.
“It has been a patient wait, but the players will be returning to the dormitories at the National
Sports Council (NSC) on Sunday (tomorrow),” said SRAM director Major (Rtd) S. Maniam.
“It will be under the training camp bubble, and there are still strict standard operating procedures to follow, but it’s a step in the right direction.
“They will undergo the Covid19 testing on Sunday, and if cleared, they will be allowed to return to the courts on Tuesday.”
Maniam also expressed his delight that the players will finally be able to plan out their competition schedules.
“For a start, we have been given the approval for the SRAM PSA 1, scheduled on April 9-12.
“That will be followed by the SRAM PSA 2 in May, and we’re negotiating with Perlis to get the courts ready.
“Both events will likely involve only Malaysians as it will still depend on the government’s decision for foreign players to come here.
“It will be exciting times for the players, and I’m sure they will be raring to show what they can do after months of training,” added Maniam.
Besides the two PSA events in Malaysia, SRAM are also looking to send a few players to Egypt for the El Gouna International in May.
Men’s national No 2 Ivan Yuen, No 3 Syafiq Kamal and women’s national No 1 Low Wee Wern are expected to join Eain Yow in the El Gouna meet.