THE 21st edition of the PBA Penang (Malaysian) Junior Open Squash Championship kicked off in grand fashion, celebrating more than two decades of nurturing future champions and reinforcing Penang’s status as a hub for youth sports.
Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, officiating the opening ceremony, hailed the event as a testament to Penang’s long-standing commitment to youth development and sporting excellence.
“This tournament stands tall as a symbol of our dedication. Today, it is officially recognised by both the World Squash Federation and the Professional Squash Association.
“This year’s championship has made history with a record-breaking 879 junior athletes from 19 countries, including 337 international players, the highest number in its history.
“The international interest reflects the growing stature of the tournament on the global squash calendar,” he said.
Chow also reminded the young athletes that they were stepping into the same arena where Malaysian squash legends like Datuk Nicol David, Low Wee Wern, Ng Eain Yow, Sivasangari Subramaniam, and Aifa Azman once began their journeys.
“I hope to see new stars rise from this tournament to shine for Malaysia and beyond,” he added.
Chow expressed his gratitude to the long-time sponsors and partners, namely the Penang Water Supply Corporation (PBAPP), Dunlop, Squash Rackers Association of Malaysia (SRAM), Asia Squash Federation (ASF), Youth and Sports Ministry and Penang Island City Council (MBPP).
Beyond the matches, the event is also expected to contribute to sports tourism, drawing over 1,000 visitors to Penang.
“This championship is not only about squash, it’s about passion, perseverance, and the future of our nation,” he said.
The tournament is taking place from July 8 to 13 at Bukit Dumbar.
Squash Rackets Association of Penang president Datuk Linda Geh announced that this year’s tournament has reached a milestone, with a total of 323 girls competing, accounting for 38% of total participants.
“With 834 players in total, we now have 314 boys and 323 girls, which is a remarkable step towards gender equality in junior squash,” she said.
The championship features five age categories for both boys and girls, namely Under-11, Under-13, Under-15, Under-17, and Under-19.
Among those present during the dinner were state Youth, Sports and Health Committee chairman Daniel Gooi Zi Sen and PBAPP chief executive officer Datuk K. Patmanathan.
Story by Edmund Lee
Pix by Muhamad Amir Irsyad Omar