The Star Online: Sports
The Star Online: Sports |
- Great day for squash
- SRAM: Much need to be done to get squash included in Olympics
- Sivasangari storms into last eight, Farez also through
| Posted: 30 May 2013 06:51 PM PDT PETALING JAYA: World No. 1 Nicol David heaved a huge sigh of relief after squash made the shortlist for inclusion in the 2020 Olympics. Besides squash, wrestling and baseball-softball also made the shortlist after the International Olympic Committee (IOC) executive board meeting in St Petersburg, Russia, on Wednesday. Only one sport will make it to the roster for the 2020 Games. The decision will be made at the IOC full assembly in Buenos Aires on Sept 8. Besides Nicol, the other squash member who made the presentation was Egypt's Ramy Ashour, the men's world No. 1. "This is a great day for squash as it takes us closer to realising our long-held ambition of joining the Olympic Games," said Nicol from St Petersburg yesterday. "I told the executive board that one of my big regrets was that I never had the chance to compete in the Games and I would trade all my world titles for that one chance. It goes to show what it means to me to get a chance to play in the Games. "It was indeed an honour to play a part in our presentation. I will now do everything I can as we head towards Buenos Aires for the final selection," added Nicol. Ashour, who recently bagged the British Open title, was also delighted to see squash getting a step closer to the Olympics. "It was great for Nicol and me to be part of the presentation team and to represent the men's and women's professional squash tours," said Ashour. Several players also took to social media, Twitter, to express their delight. "Yessssssss!! One step closer to the 2020 Olympics. #2020olympics #vote4squash!" tweeted India's women's No. 1 Dipika Pallikal. "What a great day today is for all squash players! #BackTheBid2020 #Vote4Squash" said former world junior champion Amanda Sobhy of the United States. Men's world No. 2 Nick Matthew, who was beaten in the semi-finals of the British Open last week, remained optimistic of squash making the 2020 Games. "Come on squash. Let's make that top 3 today! Then top 1 in September," tweeted the Englishman. Related Story: |
| SRAM: Much need to be done to get squash included in Olympics Posted: 30 May 2013 06:52 PM PDT PETALING JAYA: With squash taking a step closer towards realising its Olympic dream, the Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) have promised to do everything they can to support the bid. Squash was among the three sports included in a shortlist for inclusion in the 2020 Olympics by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) executive board after a meeting in St Petersburg, Russia, on Wednesday. It will compete against wrestling and softball-baseball. Only one sport will be included in the 2020 Games and the decision will be made in Buenos Aires on Sept 8. SRAM president Datuk Syed Mustaffa Syed Ali (pic) believes more effort should be made to push for squash's inclusion. "Squash has just crossed the first hurdle. The battle is only half won. "It is going to be tough from now on as wrestling is still the favourite. We need to work a lot harder from now on," said Syed Mustaffa. "SRAM will definitely provide more support. We will continue to help out in whatever way we can. Hopefully, this will lead to squash's inclusion in the Olympics for the first time," he added. Women's national No. 2 Low Wee Wern stressed that getting into the final shortlist may be the start of better things to come for squash, especially in Malaysia. "It's really good that we made it to the final round. I hope there will be more local interest in squash now," said Wee Wern. "Squash needs more attention and every bit of help it can get. "I will do my part in helping to create awareness in the sport. Nicol David's commitment to the cause is on another level. I'm happy to help out whenever I can," added Wee Wern, the world No. 7. Men's national No. 1 Ong Beng Hee, however, cautioned against complacency. "To be honest, there's not much to celebrate yet because it's just the final shortlist. September is the big moment and a lot more work needs to be done," said the 33-year-old. "I was hoping wrestling would not make the shortlist. It makes our job a lot tougher now. "Still, it was a good job to everyone in getting us shortlisted because it wasn't that easy. If we did not clear this round, that would have been the end for squash," added Beng Hee. Related Story: |
| Sivasangari storms into last eight, Farez also through Posted: 30 May 2013 06:52 PM PDT PETALING JAYA: Reigning Asian Junior Under-15 champion S. Sivasangari (pic) showed her class to storm into the quarter-finals of the Milo All Star Junior Open squash championships at the Astaka Sports Complex yesterday. The 14-year-old Sivasangari was just too strong for India's Riddhi Sampat, winning 11-3, 11-5, 11-5 in the Under-15 third round. Pint-sized Sivasangari, the defending champion, will next take on Hong Kong's Hayley Ip. Japan's Satomi Watanabe, Sivasangari's main challenger, also moved into the next round after beating Selangor's Alexandria Ryanka Aloysiu 9-11, 11-4, 11-6, 11-3. Satomi, who is based in Penang and trains under Malaysians Aaron Soyza and Khoo Teng Hin, will take on Penang's Nur Aliah Izzati for a place in the semi-finals. Seventh seed Nur Aliah, the Asian Under-13 champion, overcame Alya Atirah Khairunizam of the Federal Territories 11-4, 11-5, 11-9. Two other top contenders – third seed Andrea Lee and fourth seed Zoe Foo – also checked into the last eight without any problems. Andrea defeated Teh Min En 11-8, 11-9, 12-14, 11-7 while Zoe stormed past India's Nikita Joshi 11-4, 11-6, 11-9. In the boys' Under-15 event, top seed Mohd Farez Izwan stayed on course for the title by beating Hong Kong's Law Yat Tong 11-4, 11-6, 11-7. He will meet Matthew Lai, also of Hong Kong, for a spot in the semi-finals. Second seed Ong Sai Hung of Kedah and third seed Jesse Foo of Kelantan also came through unscathed, winning their matches in straight sets. But there was disappointment for fourth seed Ryu Han-dong. The South Korean was sent packing after losing 11-6, 11-7, 9-11, 4-11, 5-11 to Hong Kong's Harley Lam. |
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