Petaling Jaya, 10 September 2024 – Squash fans are in for an unforgettable experience as the 2024 ACE Malaysia Squash Cup takes centre stage at The Curve Shopping Mall in Mutiara Damansara. Organisers ACE Sport and Management Sdn Bhd are bringing the sport closer to the public, setting up a state-of-the-art glass court this November to create an immersive spectacle for spectators.
The much-anticipated Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Tour Series Bronze-level tournament will run from 12th to 17th November 2024. Matches will be held at The Curve with ACE’s new portable glass court and the Jalan Duta courts for Round 1 matches. Over 100,000 spectators expected during the weekend matches at The Curve.
Bringing Squash to the People
ACE Sports & Management Lead Promoter Jadish Kumar expressed excitement about the glass court, saying, “This investment adds a new level of glamour and excitement to the tournament. Fans can now experience world-class squash up close, right in the heart of a shopping mall.”
“Our goal is to make squash more accessible and grow the sport’s popularity in Malaysia.”
While squash is among Malaysia’s best-performing sports, Jadish noted that it has yet to reach the masses with only about 2,000 active competitive players nationwide. He hopes that hosting the games at The Curve, a bustling mall in the Klang Valley, will attract more people to watch and try the sport.
ACE Sports & Management CEO Chandaran Munusamy emphasised the importance of having players train and compete in glass courts, especially at high-level tournaments.
“We want to be top in the world, and for our players to excel, we must support them with the best infrastructure and make it accessible to all athletes,” Chandaran said.
Spectators will also have the chance to try squash at artificial courts set up at the tournament venue. Social players from the United Kingdom will be on hand to showcase how the game can be enjoyed recreationally.
The 2023 ACE Malaysia Squash Cup, held in Negeri Sembilan, attracted 6,000 spectators to its star-studded event. “We aim to significantly increase this number and expand the pool of players to promote squash across the country,” Chandaran added.
A New Pathway for Malaysian Squash Talent
In a major development for Malaysian squash, ACE Sports & Management has partnered with the University of the West of England (UWE) to offer scholarships to young Malaysian professionals. This collaboration provides a pathway to academic qualifications while allowing players to pursue their squash careers at an elite level.