HICKOX THE KEY FOR 2029

Coach who lifted Malaysia's squash fortunes will prepare Singapore for home SEA Games

- Kimberly Kwek

Seeking to lift its game ahead of the 2029 SEA Games, the Singapore Squash Rackets Association (SSRA) has appointed Jamie Hickox, a squash guru with a proven track record, as its new national head coach.

The 60-year-old brings a wealth of experience having led Malaysia to success over two stints. The first was as a national elite coach from 1993 to 1997. That was followed by a second spell as its national head coach from 2006 to 2010.

Now on the other side of the Causeway, Hickox wasted no time to get himself familiarised with his new work environment.

He was at the Kallang Squash Centre on April 13, a day after flying in from Canada, to observe local players in action against their regional counterparts in a Professional Squash Association satellite tour event.

"In three months, I'll have a much better idea of what more specifically can be done after I have a real sitdown with everyone, I just need to catch up on everything," Hickox, who is on a two-year contract, told The Sunday Times.

included "But to raise the level of Singapore squash would be wonderful." His achievements with Malaysia back-to-back bronze medals at the 2008 and 2010 Women's World Team Championships.