PETALING JAYA: Newly elected Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) president Tunku Zain Al-’Abidin Tuanku Muhriz is keen to build on the sport’s success while strengthening its grassroots pipeline ahead of squash’s Olympic debut.
Rather than introduce sweeping changes, Tunku Zain wants to maintain the systems and programmes that have made squash one of Malaysia’s most successful medal-winning sports.
“Squash is already one of the most successful sports in Malaysia in terms of winning medals and trophies,” he said after SRAM’s annual general meeting yesterday.
“So I don’t want to make a big change. I want to continue the good work, and I think the important thing now is the road to the Olympics.
“For the first time, it’s an Olympic sport. So we have a chance to win a medal, hopefully.”
Tunku Zain also stressed the need to strengthen grassroots development by working closely with state associations to ensure a steady supply of young talent.
“We don’t want to forget about the coordination and cooperation with the squash associations around the country.
“It’s very important that we build a broad base so that we have a lot of kids joining squash. If we don’t have a pipeline, we will lose that continuity,” he said.
He also backed national player S. Sivasangari to climb further after she reached a career-high world No. 4 ranking.
Sivasangari and men’s player Ng Eain Yow secured their Los Angeles Olympics berths after successfully defending their Asian Games titles in Japan last month.
“Of course, being world No. 4 is great, and Sivasangari is still young. So I think in a few years, she can be even better,” he said.
A former squash player, Tunku Zain spent eight years as president of the Negeri Sembilan Squash Association before taking over from Gerard Monteiro, who had led SRAM since 2020.
OFFICE BEARERS 2026-2028
President: Tunku Zain Al-’Abidin Tuanku Muhriz
Deputy president: Azlan Iskandar
Vice president: Sharon Wee
Honorary treasurer: Ramlee Abdullah
Honorary secretary: Nik Razeen Adam Daud
Ordinary committee members: Margaret Kechendai, Wan Sazril Wan Zaid, Conrad Louis
