Kuala Lumpur: Title sponsors – the Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) and CIMB Foundation – today launched 2 squash circuits for junior squash development. At an event to announce the circuits, SRAM was represented by Dato’ Syed Mustaffa Syed Ali, Vice President of SRAM and Organising Chairman of the 2010 circuits; while CIMB Foundation was represented by its CEO, Dato’ Shukri Hussin.

Making its debut this year is the “CIMB National Junior Squash Circuit” which caters for the Under-15, 17 and 19 age categories. The circuit will comprise 4 legs and acts as a continuing development programme for the players who have emerged through the Under-9 to 13 circuits. 

The circuit catering to the Under-9, 11 and 13 categories, which is in its 5^th year, has been renamed “CIMB Rising Stars National Junior Circuit”. CIMB Foundation has also expanded the CIMB Rising Stars National Junior Circuit by taking it to Sarawak for the first time this year. The 4^th leg of the circuit will be played in Kuching, and marks the first time that a national squash circuit is played in East Malaysia.

Speaking at the event, Dato’ Syed Mustaffa Syed Ali, said “SRAM is profoundly grateful to CIMB Foundation for its magnanimous support. The expanded circuit is expected to cover over 500 junior players of great potential. The continuous excellent rapport and cooperation between CIMB and SRAM, is instrumental in helping SRAM achieve its target of “Becoming a Squash Powerhouse”.

In addition to the breadth and geographical coverage of the circuits, CIMB Foundation will also provide an exciting incentive to the winners of the circuits in all age groups. The winners of the 2010 circuits will be sponsored to compete in the Hong Kong Junior Open. Similarly, if any should win the Hong Kong Junior Open, they will be further sponsored to compete in the British and Scottish Junior Open championships.

Also speaking at the launch, Dato’ Shukri Hussin, said, “We are pleased to expand our sponsorship of the junior squash development programme, in partnership with SRAM, by not only sponsoring the Under- 15 to19 circuit but by also taking the Under- 9 to 13 juniors to Kuching. In addition, we believe the incentive scheme is key to benchmarking our top juniors against their regional and international peers and will enable us to better gauge the impact of the CIMB Foundation’s investment in junior squash development.”

The first leg of the CIMB Rising Stars National Junior Circuit will run from 28 January till 31 January 2010 at the NSC Squash Courts in Jalan Duta, Kuala Lumpur.

Table Showing Increasing Participation since Inception In 2006

The calendar for the CIMB Rising Stars National Junior Circuit 2010:

1^st Leg                     28 - 31 January                   Jln. Duta, Kuala Lumpur

2^nd Leg                    16 - 18 April                         Stadium Hang Jebat, Melaka

3^rd Leg                     6 - 9 May                             Kuantan, Pahang

4^th Leg                     25 - 27 June                        Kuching, Sarawak

Grand Finals            30 July - 1 August               Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur

The calendar for the CIMB National Junior Circuit 2010:

1^st Leg                    4 -7 February                      Petaling Jaya, Selangor

2^nd Leg                   22 - 25 April                         Bukit Dumbar, Penang

3^rd Leg                   1 - 4 July                               Negeri Sembilan

Grand Finals           30 July - 1 August                Bukit Jalil, Kuala Lumpur