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Malay Mail
6 days ago
- Sport
- Malay Mail
No coach, no problem: Squash prodigy Jinoreeka Ning aces in court and classroom, with online training, offline spars and global ambitions
KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 — Ipoh-born squash prodigy Jinoreeka Ning Manivannan is away from school most of the time, smashing her way to victory in squash courts. Yet, the Form Three student at Ipoh's Methodist Girls' School excels on both fronts — largely thanks to online guidance. Her father Manivannan Ramasamy, 54, spends RM1,000 every month to provide her with online tuition so that she can keep pace with her peers and excel academically. But he spends at least seven to eight times more than that every month to support his daughter's squash dreams. Despite not having a formal coach, Jinoreeka is now a rising force in the junior squash circuit — thanks to a training programme designed by Egypt's squash legend Omar Abdel Aziz. Since 2023, Jinoreeka has trained face-to-face with Omar in Cairo only eight times — with each trip costing around RM30,000. But, Manivannan has been paying US$250 (RM1,054) to Omar every month for Jinoreeka's fitness training sessions, held online four times a week. 'Omar is actually very funny, friendly and is really a good coach,' Jinoreeka told Malay Mail when interviewed recently. Since 2023, Jinoreeka has trained face-to-face with Omar in Cairo only eight times — with each trip costing around RM30,000. — Picture courtesy of Manivannan Ramasamy Omar is widely credited for producing three world-renowned squash champions from Egypt: Karim Abdel Gawad (former World No. 1), Tarek Momen (former World No.3) and Hania El Hammamy (currently World No.3). Jinoreeka became fascinated with Omar's training style after watching him train El Hammamy — her squash idol — as she loved her aggressive and attacking style of play. 'She has everything. I love her footwork, her squash, and she picks up the ball all the time,' Jinoreeka said in awe. Manivannan, a former hockey champion who won the 1992 Razak Cup for Perak, now oversees his daughter's training and accompanies her to training and tournaments abroad. With squash being a costly endeavour, Manivannan stretches every ringgit that he makes from his restaurant in Ipoh Garden to sustain his daughter's dream. 'She loves chicken curry. So, I will take the spices to cook for her when we are abroad,' he said. Meanwhile, his wife Toh Chee Kuan holds the fort at the restaurant, churning out Ipoh's signature dish like Hainanese chicken rice and taugeh (beansprout) chicken. On weekends, the couple drive down to The Lakeview Club in Subang Jaya for their daughter to spar with other local squash talents. Jinoreeka Ning (centre) with her mother Toh Chee Kuan (left) and her father Manivannan Ramasamy at The Lakeview Club, Subang Jaya July 19, 2025. — Picture by Firdaus Latif For the sparring sessions alone, the couple sets aside RM1500 every week to cover travel, accommodation and food costs as well as providing financial tokens for her sparring partners. Yet, Manivannan and his wife have no qualms as they witness their daughter making strides almost every other week now. Just a week after her second victory in the Asian Junior Squash Championships (Under-15) in early July, Jinoreeka won the Penang International Junior Open (Under-17) title. Now, she wants to wrest the Hong Kong Junior Squash Open title next month — this time in the Under-17 category. She was the tournament's Under-15 champion at the 2024 edition. Her next aim is the 2026 British Open Junior and after that, she wants to represent Malaysia in the 2027 World Junior Squash Championships — but the bigger her dreams get, so does the cost for her parents. Omar is moving to the United States next year, but he has promised to continue overseeing Jinoreeka's squash training regimen. 'We are planning to stick with Omar for another three to four years and that means spending another RM40,000 per trip to the US to train under him. 'So, I'm going to start writing for sponsorships,' Manivannan said. Now, she wants to wrest the Hong Kong Junior Squash Open title for the second time — but this time in the Under-17 category. — Picture by Firdaus Latif Jinoreeka was part of the Yayasan Sime Darby programme last year and she was offered RM6,000 for her expenses to compete at the Hong Kong Junior Squash Open, but the sponsorship has since ended. 'The Perak Squash Association and Perak chapter of the National Sports Council (MSN) occasionally provide a small financial token for selected international tournaments. 'Jinoreeka was also offered a placement at the Bukit Jalil Sports School last year, but we were reluctant to take it. 'I was concerned that it might upset her consistent performance as she has adapted to Omar's training regimen. 'The plan is already working well and I don't want to risk changing it. 'Omar has produced three world champions and it is not easy to pull that feat — and I want Jinoreeka to follow him,' he said. As for Jinoreeka, she may have picked up the racquet at the age of eight because 'it was fun hitting the ball around' but now, she is determined to make history with it.
The Star
06-06-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Clubs just as vital as schools in hockey revival, say veterans
Jayamaran represented the country several times at the SEA Games and Asian Games. FOR former Selangor hockey stalwarts Sri Muhunan Raja Retnam and M. Jayamaran, reviving the state's hockey strength will require strong partnerships between schools and clubs – with both playing vital and complementary roles. Sri Muhunan, who was part of the 1996 Selangor Tun Abdul Razak Cup-winning squad, believes clubs play a key role in sustaining talent after the school stage. 'Schools can only take you so far. It's the clubs that build match temperament, tactical sense, and character,' he said. Jayamaran, a former international who was groomed under the Selangor system but represented Kuala Lumpur during his Razak Cup triumphs in the 1990s, agreed that many young players lacked sufficient exposure outside school tournaments. 'School tournaments come and go. What we need is continuous, year-round training. Even weekly friendlies can be valuable, and clubs can provide that.' He said players needed regular matches to sharpen their skills. Both, having been involved in grassroots development programmes, said district-level competition must be revived to give players more game time. 'There should be league structures in every district. That's how you keep the sport alive,' said Jayamaran. Sri Muhunan said recognition and incentives could help retain youth players in the system. 'In the UK, even club matches end with small awards – best striker, best keeper. That kind of recognition keeps kids motivated, but sustaining it comes at a cost,' he said. Club administrators almost always have to pay for pitch time, equipment and sometimes even arrange transport for students. 'If local councils give us lower pitch rates or basic grants, we can double the number of children playing,' Sri Muhunan said. Sri Muhunan was part of the squad that last lifted the Tun Abdul Razak Cup in 1996. Jayamaran also pointed out that without a long-term plan, many promising players could drift to other sports. 'You lose them to football or badminton. We have seen it happen many times. 'But the ones who stayed, the ones with the burning passion, they have become the core of today's state pool.' Despite the challenges, both are hopeful that the current SHA committee – led by people they once played alongside – can help rebuild the foundation. 'They know what Selangor hockey used to be,' said Jayamaran. 'But to get back there, it is not just about one tournament or one team. It is about fixing the foundation.' Sri Muhunan said the hockey community had the passion and know-how to bring back Selangor's past strengths. 'There are veterans and ex-players with a lot of experience at the club level. They are already doing the work. They just need more support,' he said. Beyond coaching and competition, both stressed the importance of creating a nurturing environment that fuelled a young player's passion for the sport. 'Kids need to feel seen,' said Sri Muhunan. 'When their effort is recognised – whether through a small trophy, a mention during team talks, or even a pat on the back – it makes a huge difference. That's what keeps them coming back.' They added that friendship often mattered more than results at that level. 'If they enjoy the game and look forward to training, they will naturally improve,' said Jayamaran. 'We have seen players develop simply because they had teammates who encouraged them and a coach who cared.' Both believe that a sense of belonging – to a club or team – provides great support for young players through the ups and downs in sport. They also urged parents to play a more active but supportive role. 'Let the kids enjoy the game. Don't pressure them to be national players. Help them grow first,' said Sri Muhunan. Jayamaran agreed, noting that talent would need time and space to develop. 'If the system is there, and if people are patient, the results will come,' he said.
