Sabah squash body to build on 2025 results for new season

KOTA KINABALU (Jan 12): Sabah junior squash development is on track to achieving greater heights this year, said Sabah Squash Association president Datuk Charles O Pang.

In a statement on Sunday, Pang hailed the state juniors for their encouraging outings in the regional tournaments such as the REDtone International KL Junior Open in Kuala Lumpur and the Singapore Junior Squash Open in 2025.

He stressed that tournaments are not just about results.

“They are part of a longer-term process to expose our juniors to strong competition, different playing styles and the mental demands of high-level matches.

“We are pleased to see our players growing in confidence, resilience and consistency,” he said.

The association would continue to emphasise structured training, physical preparation and mental development in the coming season.

“The experience gained in Kuala Lumpur and Singapore provides a solid foundation for the year ahead.

“Our focus now is to build on this momentum, strengthen our development pathway and ensure our juniors are better prepared for future national and international challenges,” Pang added.

At KL Junior Open, Sabah fielded players across eight age categories, underscoring the depth and reach of its junior development pathway.

Representation included two players in Boys Under-17 (BU17) and one in Girls Under-17 (GU17). Three players competed in Girls Under-15 (GU15), while four were entered in Girls Under-13 (GU13). Boys Under-15 (BU15) marked Sabah’s largest contingent with five players, alongside four in Boys Under-13 (BU13), three in Girls Under-11 (GU11) and two in Boys Under-11 (BU11).

Several Sabah players produced encouraging performances in Kuala Lumpur. In the GU17 category, Amber Kristy Muyou finished eighth, Francine Ava Faurillo placed 11th in GU15 while Muhammad Zidane Zicqree recorded an 11th-place finish in BU15 after competing in a highly competitive draw.

Six Sabah juniors continued their campaign at the Singapore Junior Squash Open competing across four age categories. The players gained valuable international experience against strong regional opposition.

In Singapore, Sabah recorded two top-16 finishes. Amber delivered the standout result by securing third place in the GU17 category while Muhammad Zidane showed consistency with a ninth-place finish in BU15.