S'PORE SQUASH ON THE UP

‘Phenomenal’ age-group results spark optimism, says association GM

- Lin Tianbao

A recent series of positive results at the age-group level has given Singapore squash hope for a better future.

The latest bright spark came at the Lion City Junior Open on June 2, when the Republic clinched two gold, three silver and two bronze medals.

Standing on the podium at the Kallang Squash Centre were champions Kareena Sashikumar (girls’ Under-11) and Naisha Singh (girls’ U-15), and silver medallists Kaelen Low (boys’ U-11), Ethan Kuan (boys’ U-17) and Gracia Chua (girls’ U-19).

Jackrish Kumar Sashikumar and Ong Zhe Sim also won bronze in the boys’ U-13 and girls’ U-17 categories respectively.

This edition – an Asian Junior Super Series (AJSS) gold event – drew more than 300 participants from places such as Japan, Hong Kong and Malaysia, compared to 170 the last time it was held in 2019, when it was only a silver tournament.

The seven-medal haul across 10 categories, coupled with Singapore’s tally of three golds, two silvers and six bronzes at the South-east Asian Junior Individual Squash Championships less than a month ago, have given cause for optimism, says Singapore Squash Rackets Association (SSRA) general manager Alex Wan.