06-07-2025
Perak squash in crisis despite producing two Asian Junior champions
KUALA LUMPUR: It was a golden weekend for two junior squash players from Perak, but behind their triumphs lies a troubling tale of internal conflict that's crippling the sport's development in the state.
Despite producing two Asian Junior champions on Saturday, the Perak Squash Association (PSA) is in disarray due to prolonged infighting between rival factions, and shockingly, PSA has no coaches for its players.
Yet, Ipoh-born Jinoreeka Ning, 15, rose above the chaos to claim the girls' Under-15 title at the Asian Junior Championships in South Korea. She achieved the feat without a coach in Perak, relying instead on the unwavering support of her parents.
Another Perak-born talent, Low Wa Sern, clinched the boys' Under-19 crown, although he now trains and studies at Trinity College in Connecticut, far removed from the troubled system back home.
For Jinoreeka, a Form Three student at Methodist Girls' School in Ipoh, success has come through grit, passion, and personal sacrifice from her family.
Her parents, R. Manivannan and Toh Chee Kuan, have spent around RM250,000 since 2023 to fund her training stints in Cairo under top Egyptian coach Omar Aziz, best known for mentoring world No. 3 Hania El Hammamy.
The long-standing dysfunction within PSA has drawn concern from the national body.
"This has been going on for too long. We've tried our best to resolve it, but our hands are tied," said Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) president Gerard Monteiro.
Monteiro added that PSA officials have not attended SRAM's annual general meetings for several years, further straining the relationship.
As for Jinoreeka's development, Monteiro said SRAM had offered her a place to train and study at the Bukit Jalil Sports School (BJSS) last year, and confirmed that she is also enrolled in the Sime Darby Foundation programme.
"We encourage any player facing issues with their state associations to contact us directly," said Monteiro.
