PETALING JAYA: Women’s doubles act S. Sivasangari-Rachel Arnold (pic) will be Malaysia’s best hopes for a medal in the Commonwealth Games after the Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) confirmed their final squad for the Birmingham event from July 28-Aug 8.
SRAM have retained the combinations that played in the World Doubles in Glasgow in April for the Games while there were no surprises in the individual line-ups.
Sivasangari and Rachel will be joined by Aifa Azman in the individual event while Ng Eain Yow, Ivan Yuen and Syafiq Kamal will play in the men’s individual event.
Besides Sivasangari-Rachel, who won a bronze medal in the Word Doubles, Malaysia will have Aina Amani Ampandi-Chen Yiwen as the second pair in the women’s doubles.
Eain Yow-Ivan will have Addeen Idrakie-Ong Sai Hung for company in the men’s doubles while Syafiq-Aifa are the sole pair in the mixed doubles.
SRAM director of coaching Major (rtd) S. Maniam is hopeful that Eain Yow and Sivasangari will raise their performance to battle for medals besides the women’s doubles (Sivasangari-Rachel).
“We have only fielded two pairs in most events so that the players can focus better and Sangari-Rachel are our best hope for a medal,” said Maniam.
“However, Eain Yow and Sangari have been doing well on the professional circuit and if they can produce their title-winning performances in the individual events, they have a chance in Birmingham.”
Eain Yow, based in Bristol, England, and Sivasangari, who studies and trains in New York, made a triumphant return home by winning titles at the National Squash Championships on Sunday.
THE SQUAD
Men’s singles: Ng Eain Yow, Ivan Yuen, Syafiq Kamal.
Men’s doubles: Ng Eain Yow-Ivan Yuen, Addeen Idrakie-Ong Sai Hung.
Women’s singles: S. Sivasangari, Rachel Arnold, Aifa Azman.
Women’s doubles: S. Sivasangari-Rachel Arnold, Aina Amani Ampandi-Chan Yiwen.
Mixed doubles: Syafiq Kamal-Aifa Azman.
