Monteiro hopes LA28 Olympic berths will boost corporate backing for Malaysian squash

KUALA LUMPUR: Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) president Gerard Monteiro believes S. Sivasangari and Ng Eain Yow qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games will attract more corporate sponsors and support the sport’s development.

Monteiro, who is set to step down after six years at the helm, can leave on a high note after Malaysia secured two Olympic berths ahead of squash’s highly anticipated Olympic debut.

Set to succeed him at the association’s annual general meeting (AGM) tomorrow is Tunku Zain Al-’Abidin Tuanku Muhriz, son of Negeri Sembilan ruler Tuanku Muhriz Tuanku Munawir.

Tunku Zain, a former competitive squash player, has served as president of the Negeri Sembilan Squash Association for the past eight years.

Two years ago, Monteiro said SRAM was operating on a budget of around RM4 million to RM5 million and needed an additional 20 to 30 per cent ahead of LA28.

“We have been a model of success for over 40 years, and since the sport was introduced to the Asian Games in 1998, we have never once failed to win gold medals,” said Monteiro.

“Unfortunately, despite the success of players such as Datuk Nicol David and the new generation of stars in Sivasangari and Eain Yow, we have always been short of funds.

“I know every association will claim they need more money, but I think our results speak for themselves. We can’t always be running to the government as they have to take care of all associations, but I hope with squash finally in the Olympics, it will help the incoming president and his team.”

Monteiro said he would remain available to guide his successor after leaving SRAM, but stressed that Tunku Zain must have the freedom to chart his own course and develop his own blueprint for Malaysian squash.

Under Monteiro’s leadership since 2020, Malaysia recently swept all four gold medals at the Asian Games, one better than at the 2022 edition.

Monteiro was also instrumental in pushing through the final phases of major upgrading works at the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil.

Tunku Zain and his team will face the challenge of building on Malaysia’s longstanding success and translating it into stronger corporate backing to drive the sport’s continued growth, with the hope of securing the country’s first Olympic gold medal.