KUALA LUMPUR — Despite achieving significant success in international multisports events, the Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) has maintained a humble approach in seeking budget allocation for the year 2024.
With the potential inclusion of squash in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, Malaysia has a new sporting avenue for securing medals at the Summer Games.
“Of course, we are looking for more allocation, especially with the prospect of squash making its Olympics debut. But, in comparison to the overall budget, our allocation is relatively modest, and we have limited say over it.
“The National Sports Council (NSC) will submit their budget request, and from there, they will allocate (funds) to the respective sports associations.
“Each sport (association) has sent in their wish list and SRAM is no exception. We hope that the NSC will request additional funds, but the final decision rests with them,” said SRAM president Gerard Monteiro when contacted by Scoop.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who is also the Finance Minister, is set to table the Supply Bill 2024 (Budget 2024) at the Dewan Rakyat tomorrow at 4pm.
However, when asked to share details of SRAM’s requests with the NSC, Monteiro refrained from disclosing the information.
At the recently concluded Hangzhou Asian Games, squash delivered an impressive haul of three golds, one silver and one bronze medal.
This exceeded their initial goal of two golds, two silvers and one bronze.
Ng Eain Yow and S. Sivasangari took home gold in the men’s and women’s singles events respectively.
Sivasangari then teamed up with Rachel Arnold and sisters Aifa and Aira Azman to bring home another gold in the women’s team event.
In the mixed doubles category, Mohd Syafiq Kamal and Aifa won silver, while Addeen Idrakie, Mohd Syafiq Kamal, Eain Yow and Ivan Yuen delivered bronze in the men’s team event.
Squas, alongside the diving camp, emerged as the most prominent contributors to Malaysia’s 32-medal haul at the Asiad — with five medals each.
As such, the country surpassed its initial target of 27 medals before the Games began. — October 13, 2023
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