Squash could be in for a major boost in Thailand

Squash until now only received modest attention in Thailand, if you compare it to more popular sports like badminton, tennis, or golf. Its graduation as an Olympic discipline could change that. In October 2023, news broke that it will be officially part of the 2028 Games in Los Angeles, just a few years down the road.

That’s great news for squash enthusiasts in the country. Thailand recently participated with both a men’s and women’s team at the Asian Games in Hangzhou. Although both teams were defeated by stronger regional opponents, it was nevertheless an encouraging start. With the right strategy and planning, the country should be able to produce sufficient talent who can compete for a ticket to the Olympics.

We don’t have to look far to find an appropriate role model. Malaysia won both individual gold medals in Hangzhou. Eain Yow Ng and Sivasangari Subramaniam are touted the region’s rising stars in the male and female categories, respectively. Looking at the world’s top 100 squash players, Malaysia has five male players and nine female players on the list.

Thanit Apipatana, a local venture investor and devotee of the sport, believes that with the right funding, new facilities, and increased international collaboration with top nations such as Egypt, India, or Malaysia, Thailand could receive a capability boost. “Financial support, encouragement and international exposure will give young Thai squash players the opportunity to reach a higher level as professional players,” he says.

Thailand needs better competitions too. The Kuala Lumpur International Junior Championships, held in December, have become the biggest junior squash event in Asia and the second biggest in the world after the US Junior Open. Malaysia was able to mobilise hundreds of athletes for the occasion, including its elite players from the acclaimed Bukit Jalil Sports School. The media attention and exposure of such an event create a decent amount of awareness and will likely attract more people to take up the sport.

Now there’s hope on the horizon. End of next year, Bangkok, Chonburi, and Songkhla will host the 33rd SEA Games. While squash isn’t part of the programme yet, the Olympic uplift could still inspire a last-minute change. Robert Bachmann, president of the Southeast Asian Squash Federation, told the news agency Bernama that he plans to lobby hard for its inclusion.

Squash teaches you a lot of valuable lessons, explains Apipatana. It requires discipline, effort and teamwork, as well as leadership and organisation skills. Thailand’s squash lovers will need all of the above to succeed.