Fewer entries for Malaysian Junior Open this time
GEORGE TOWN: The organisers of the 14th Malaysian Junior Open Squash Championships are expecting a lower turnout after the meet was shifted to August.
The meet, which is normally held during the mid-year school holidays in June, will be held at the Nicol David International Squash Centre in Penang from Aug 22-27.
“The change of dates has affected the turnout, especially players from Malaysia and Singapore,” said tournament organising chairperson Linda Geh at a press conference yesterday.
“We could not hold the Malaysian Junior Open in June because of the fasting month. Our plans to hold it in July or early August were scuppered because of Sukma and the World Junior Squash competitions.
“This was the only slot available ... unfortunately, it’s not a school holiday period and is too close to the public examinations.”
Despite the setback, the tournament, offering a total prize money of RM10,000, has attracted 459 players, including 182 foreign entries.
“The Malaysian Junior Open continues to attract foreign participants because this is the only junior tournament in Asia, apart from the Hong Kong Junior Open, to offer world junior ranking points,” said Linda.
“For the first time, we have players from England and Canada competing in this meet.”
Ten categories will be contested in the championships – the boys and girls’ Under-11, Under-13, Under-15, Under-17 and Under-19.
Sarawak Sukma two-gold medallist Andrea Lee, Zoe Foo and Aifa Azman, who are all competing in the World Junior Squash Championships in Poland on Aug 6-17, have confirmed their participation in Penang.
As in previous years, the Malaysian champions in all categories will be fully sponsored by the CIMB Foundation to feature in the British Junior Open in Sheffield in January.