Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia sets gold medal target for Sivasangari and Ng Eain Yow at the 2026 Asian Games to secure 2028 Olympic qualification.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) has set a clear target for its top players to defend their Asian Games titles. President Gerard Monteiro (pic) said women’s singles player S. Sivasangari and men’s singles player Ng Eain Yow must win gold again at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.

This goal is crucial for securing their qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. “You now know that the Asian Games gold medallist will be qualifying for the Olympics, so Sivasangari and Eain Yow have to win it and ensure that they get into the 2028 Olympics,” Monteiro told reporters.

He expressed confidence in both athletes’ current trajectories and world rankings. Sivasangari is currently ranked sixth globally, with SRAM hoping she can break into the top four soon.

For Ng Eain Yow, Monteiro noted he is just outside the top 10. “He’s working very hard and is making some good changes to his game, he can break back into the top 10 in the near future,” he added.

SRAM is planning an overseas training camp in August as part of the Asian Games preparation. The national governing body is also considering expanding its coaching line-up to further strengthen the squad for the quadrennial event.

At the previous 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games, Malaysia won three gold medals in squash. The victories came from Ng Eain Yow in the men’s singles, S. Sivasangari in the women’s singles, and the women’s team comprising Sivasangari, Rachel Arnold, Aifa Azman and Aira Azman.

 The Sun Malaysia