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New Straits Times
2 days ago
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Top seed Rachel Arnold battles into Asian Championships final
KUALA LUMPUR: Top seed Rachel Arnold is just one step away from clinching her first Asian Championships women's title after a hard-fought win in the semi-finals in Kuching on Friday. The 29-year-old, who captured the China Open last year, overcame a spirited challenge from compatriot and fifth seed Aifa Azman, winning 11-9, 11-2, 8-11, 9-11, 12-10 in a 56-minute battle at the Sarawak Squash Centre. World No 19 Rachel will take on Hong Kong's world No 29 Ho Tze Lok in Saturday's final. Tze Lok reached the final by defeating Malaysia's world No. 59 Yee Xin Ying 11-9, 5-11, 5-11, 11-9, 11-6 in 45 minutes. Rachel was a runner-up in 2021 in Islamabad, losing to Hong Kong's Tong Tsz Wing. However, she holds a psychological edge going into the final, having beaten Tze Lok in both their previous PSA Tour meetings in 2016. The top seed admitted that Aifa had pushed her to the limit in the semi-final. "Aifa gave me a real scare," said Rachel. "But I thought I did well to hang on and fend off her fightback to reach the final again. It's never easy to face a teammate in a tournament, and I'm just glad I came through." Rachel is hoping to become the first Malaysian woman to win the Asian crown since Nicol David in 2015 and is feeling confident about her chances. "I'll definitely need to be sharp in the final. I have confidence in my game," she said. "I just need to stay calm and play my game against Tze Lok."
New Straits Times
09-06-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Malaysia Cup faces axe as organisers struggle for sponsorship
KUALA LUMPUR: While more countries are ramping up efforts to host squash tournaments ahead of the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, Malaysia are sadly struggling to raise funds to stage competitions. This comes as a surprise for a nation that has produced an eight-time world champion in Datuk Nicol David, along with several top-10 players including S. Sivasangari, Low Wee Wern, Ong Beng Hee, Azlan Iskandar and Ng Eain Yow. Timesport has learnt that the Malaysia Cup, a PSA Tour Bronze-level event scheduled to take place in Damansara from Aug 17-23, may be scrapped this year unless organisers ACE Sports and Management can secure sponsorship. Squash is one of Malaysia's core sports, and with world No. 9 Sivasangari and world No. 12 Eain Yow expected to qualify for LA 28, the lack of support has raised eyebrows. Formerly known as the Malaysia Open, the Malaysia Cup was first held in 1975. ACE Sports and Management director R.A. Thiagaraja said the tournament is the season opening event for the new PSA Tour season. "We approached private companies, banks and even the government for funding, but sadly, none are keen," he said. "The Curve (venue at Mutiara Damansara) aren't charging us a cent, but passion alone is not enough to sustain sport." Thiagaraja revealed that they need RM1.5 million to run the tournament. "In 2023, we spent RM1.5 million on the event. The government only gave us RM300,000 and that was for all squash tournaments. Last year alone, it cost us RM3 million — RM1.5 million to organise and another RM1.5 million for the glass court. We didn't receive a single sen from the government." He added that over the past two years, ACE has spent RM4.5 million, not including costs for organising Satellite circuits and the World Championships Asian Qualifier. "This year, we spent RM550,000 on eight men's and women's Satellite circuits to help juniors. The Asian Qualifier alone cost nearly RM200,000. "We went through SRAM (Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia) to approach the government, but no help came." Thiagaraja stressed the importance of the Malaysia Cup in providing exposure for players such as Eain Yow, Sivasangari, Rachel Arnold, sisters Aira and Aifa Azman, Ainaa Amani, Sanjay Jeeva, C. Ameeshenraj and Yasshmita Jadish Kumar. "It inspires fans and up-and-coming players to watch their idols live. Last year, the event attracted 3.3 million TV viewers from 56 countries. "When we held the Malaysia Cup in 2023, Malaysia had 29 professionals. Today, we have over 100 pro players — a promising sign. But without a local tournament, our players lose a vital opportunity to compete at home — a major blow ahead of LA 28." He added: "Many countries have started hosting tournaments after squash was included in the Olympics. "PSA COO Tommy Berden said it would be a shame if the Malaysia Cup doesn't happen. The PSA has given us until the end of July to secure funding." In a stinging comparison, Thiagaraja noted that Singapore — despite not having world-class squash players — will stage the Singapore Open on Aug 12-16.
![Sivasangari cruises into maiden British Open quarter-finals [WATCH]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2FSIVA_1748996849.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
New Straits Times
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
Sivasangari cruises into maiden British Open quarter-finals [WATCH]
KUALA LUMPUR: S. Sivasangari marched into the quarter finals of the British Open for the first time following an impressive display against Japan's Satomi Watanabe in Birmingham on Tuesday. World No. 9 Sivasangari, appearing in her fifth British Open, defeated world No. 7 Satomi 11-9, 11-9, 4-11, 11-4 in 45 minutes. The 26-year-old Malaysian had never lost to Watanabe in all six previous meetings on the PSA Tour as well as defeating the Japan No.1 in the semi-finals of the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games. "It feels great reaching the quarter finals of the British Open," Sivasangari told PSA Squash Tour. "I think last year I got eight-time world champion Nour El Sherbini in the first round, and that was a pretty tough draw. "Satomi has been playing really well recently, and we've played each other since we were in juniors, we're the same age, and she's a good friend as well. ""Today, I'm really happy with my performance. I focused on my game and on making it further in Platinum events." Facing the Malaysian, who won the Cincinnati Open in February, in the quarter-final is No.4 seed Amina Orfi, after the Egyptian avenged a painful defeat to Nada Abbas at this year's World Championships with a convincing 11-4, 11-4, 11-8 win over her compatriot. Amina beat Sivasangari in the Malaysia Cup final and Singapore Open semi-finals last November.
New Straits Times
04-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
Sivasangari cruises into maiden British Open quarter-finals
KUALA LUMPUR: S. Sivasangari marched into the quarter finals of the British Open for the first time following an impressive display against Japan's Satomi Watanabe in Birmingham on Tuesday. World No. 9 Sivasangari, appearing in her fifth British Open, defeated world No. 7 Satomi 11-9, 11-9, 4-11, 11-4 in 45 minutes. The 26-year-old Malaysian had never lost to Watanabe in all six previous meetings on the PSA Tour as well as defeating the Japan No.1 in the semi-finals of the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games. "It feels great reaching the quarter finals of the British Open," Sivasangari told PSA Squash Tour. "I think last year I got eight-time world champion Nour El Sherbini in the first round, and that was a pretty tough draw. "Satomi has been playing really well recently, and we've played each other since we were in juniors, we're the same age, and she's a good friend as well. ""Today, I'm really happy with my performance. I focused on my game and on making it further in Platinum events." Facing the Malaysian, who won the Cincinnati Open in February, in the quarter-final is No.4 seed Amina Orfi, after the Egyptian avenged a painful defeat to Nada Abbas at this year's World Championships with a convincing 11-4, 11-4, 11-8 win over her compatriot. Amina beat Sivasangari in the Malaysia Cup final and Singapore Open semi-finals last November.
Al-Ahram Weekly
28-05-2025
- Sport
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Squash: Egyptian four-time world champion Ali Farag retires at 33 - Omni sports
Egypt's four-time world champion and former World No.1 Ali Farag has announced his retirement from professional squash with immediate effect, calling time on one of the sport's most decorated careers. The 33-year-old Harvard graduate, who held the World No.1 position for 238 weeks, shared the news in an emotional Instagram reel on Tuesday, saying he was stepping away with 'a full heart, a peaceful mind, and an open soul.' 'I hereby announce my retirement from our beautiful sport,' Farag said. 'It's been long coming ever since COVID really and I've achieved all my goals... Squash has been my passion, my identity and my purpose for as long as I can remember.' Farag's decision comes less than two weeks after he reached his fifth World Championship final in Chicago, where he lost to current World No.1 Mostafa Asal. He retires ranked second in the PSA world rankings. Widely regarded as one of the finest players in squash history, Farag claimed 46 PSA Tour titles, placing him sixth on the all-time men's list. His trophy haul includes four World Championships, four Tournament of Champions titles, three Qatar Classics, and three Egyptian Opens. He also won the British Open and three U.S. Open titles—one of which he famously shared with his wife, fellow squash star Nour El Tayeb, in 2017. Farag's professional career began in 2005 and spanned 553 PSA matches, of which he won 445. He also served as PSA Men's President for four years and was voted by peers for the PSA Spirit of Squash Award seven times over the past eight years. In his farewell message, Farag reflected on his journey, noting the sacrifices made for his family. 'I've missed so many of the milestones that I wanted to be there for—the school pickups, the late-night cuddles, the bedtime stories,' he said. 'I've always believed in balance and I feel like that balance has shifted now.' He also thanked his parents, brother, and coaches—including Karim Darwish and Mike Way—and paid tribute to his wife, whom he called 'the most important person' in his life. Farag concluded his message by expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people, stating: 'My heart, like so many others, is with the Palestinian people... May we never let silence be complicity.' The Professional Squash Association (PSA) praised Farag's legacy. 'Ali has been a true ambassador for the sport,' said PSA Chief Executive Alex Gough. 'He combined incredible athleticism and talent with humility and sportsmanship... His presence on the tour will be deeply missed.' Farag's retirement means he will not compete in next week's British Open in Birmingham. His seeding will be passed on to Peru's Diego Elias, while England's Simon Herbert will move into the main draw. Career highlights: PSA titles: 46 PSA finals: 81 Match wins: 445 Weeks at World No.1: 238 Represented Egypt in four World Team Championships (all wins) Farag ends his career not just as a champion, but as a symbol of professionalism and grace in modern squash. (For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.) Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
