KUCHING: It is not all about squash for Malaysia’s national team, who are also taking time to enjoy Sarawak’s culture and cuisine during their stay in the state capital.
Their visit coincides with the 2026 Sarawak Gawai Niti Daun Parade, which will be held at the Kuching Waterfront on Saturday. The procession is among the highlights of the Sarawak-level Gawai Dayak Celebration 2026 and takes place near the team’s hotel.
Malaysia squash coach Shahril Shahidan said the timing of the Asian Doubles Championships has given players an opportunity to experience Sarawak’s culture while enjoying the city’s renowned local cuisine.
The team is also looking forward to taking in the festive atmosphere.
“We are looking at the festival because tomorrow it is going to be busy around the hotel, right? So we might go and see what is happening,” he told Sarawak Tribune yesterday (June 19).
Shahril said the squad has especially enjoyed sampling Sarawak laksa and intends to continue exploring different eateries throughout the tournament.
“We have tried the laksa and it is super nice, so we want to try another place. Same food, another place. We want to see the difference,” he said.
The coach added that the overlap between major sporting events and local festivities has become a familiar experience for the national team during international tournaments.
He recalled that during a previous visit, players also had the opportunity to experience Sarawak’s vibrant atmosphere around the time of the Rainforest World Music Festival.
“This year we have Gawai, so we are looking forward to experiencing the culture,” he said.
Beyond the competition, the cultural experience has given players and officials a chance to unwind and appreciate the hospitality for which Sarawak has become known among visiting contingents.
The Asian Doubles Championships is ongoing at the Sarawak Squash Centre from June 18 to 21, with Malaysia fielding a strong contingent across the men’s, women’s and mixed doubles categories.
