KUALA LUMPUR – Squash legend Datuk Nicol David has pledged to ensure that squash athletes are included in the Road to Gold (RTG) programme to prepare for the 2028 Olympics.
The eight-time world champion said she is currently in talks with stakeholders to improve the necessary support for athletes to excel in the sport and aim for gold at the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
“We are excited about the prospect that squash has the potential to contribute a gold medal for our country in 2028.
“To achieve this goal, we will be developing comprehensive plans starting now to see how RTG can support squash.
“We do not want to rush the process, as the focus currently set by the Youth and Sports Ministry is on the athletes participating in the 2024 Paris Olympics.
“I will be discussing plans with various stakeholders in the squash community to enhance the support required for athletes to reach our ambitions.
“We will also establish KPIs for our athletes, and if everything goes well, our Asian Games medalists could be part of the programme in 2025 or 2026,” Nicol said at the National Sports Council in Bukit Jalil yesterday.
The 40-year-old Nicol, who dominated the sport for over a decade, has been one of the greatest advocates for getting squash into the biggest multi-sport Games.
She expressed her happiness that the sport has finally received the recognition it deserves.
“It’s quite emotional to see squash included after 30 years of striving to be a part of the Olympic Games.
“All the hard work, blood, sweat and tears have finally paid off for our beloved sport to be acknowledged as an Olympic Games sport.
“My time has passed, and now it’s time for our young athletes to maintain their consistent performance and succeed in the years to come,” Nicol added.
In the recently concluded Hangzhou Asian Games, squash contributed a total of five medals (three golds, one silver and one bronze).
RTG is an elite athlete preparation programme designed to provide top-tier athletes with the additional support they need to compete for gold at the next two Olympics – in Paris next year and in Los Angeles in 2028 – and other major international competitions. – November 1, 2023
