KUCHING: The Squash Association of Kuching (SAK) hopes its inaugural Kuching Squash Invitational 2026 will become the launchpad for Sarawak’s next Azlan Iskandar as it looks to rebuild the state’s pipeline of elite squash talent.
Tournament chairman Shaukat Khan said the competition, scheduled from Sept 4 to 6 at the Sarawak Club squash courts, was designed to strengthen grassroots development while giving young players greater competitive exposure.
“We want to develop the next Azlan Iskandar. At least another Azlan Iskandar, whether it is a boy or girl,” he said during the tournament launch at SAK headquarters in Jalan Setia Raja on Monday (Aug 3).
Azlan, who was born in Sarawak, rose to become one of Malaysia’s greatest squash players and a former world top-10.
The tournament is expected to attract between 70 and 100 players from Kuching, Sibu, Miri, Bintulu and Samarahan, with competition in the men’s and women’s premier divisions as well as boys’ and girls’ Under-9, Under-11, Under-13 and Under-15 categories.
Shaukat said the championship was about more than producing winners, describing it as a platform to instil discipline, resilience and sportsmanship while encouraging more children to take up the sport.
“We want more children to pick up squash, especially from schools. We have sent invitations to schools throughout Sarawak because we want more juniors to participate,” he said.
However, he stressed that Sarawak must strengthen its coaching structure if it hopes to consistently produce players capable of competing at the highest level.
“We need a good coach for the elite team and for development. Without development coaches, how do we develop players?” he said.
Among the state’s emerging prospects are 10-year-old Jarvyn Ling, who is competing at the Hong Kong Junior Open 2026, 11-year-old Iszea Amani Ishak, who featured in the Australian Junior Open in 2024 and 2025, and Under-15 Miri Open champion Dayang Batrisyia Awang Suhaili.
Registration for the Kuching Squash Invitational 2026 is open until Aug 15, with the entry fee set at RM80.
