Andrew Cross, the national squash coaching director, marked his 20th year in Malaysian squash with a remarkable achievement at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, where his players secured four gold medals. Since first arriving in Malaysia in September 2007 for a junior coaching role, Cross has overseen the development of some of the country’s most promising squash talent, including Ng Eain Yow and S. Sivasangari, who were just nine and eight years old at the time.

Now leading the national team since October 2024, Cross’s efforts culminated in a standout performance at the Asian Games, highlighted by Ng Eain Yow and S. Sivasangari winning the men’s and women’s singles titles respectively. Their victories not only contributed to Malaysia’s medal haul but also secured the nation’s first two squash qualification spots for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

Cross expressed satisfaction with the players’ dedication and the journey that led to these successes. He emphasized that the achievements were the result of sustained hard work over many years rather than short-term preparation. Reflecting on his career, Cross described the milestone as particularly meaningful, having witnessed the athletes grow from competing in age-group tournaments to becoming Olympic qualifiers.

The four gold medals won at the Aichi-Nagoya Games underscore Malaysia’s continued progress in squash since the notable eras of former champions Nicol David and Ong Beng Hee. This latest haul improves on the country’s previous performances, which included two gold medals each at the 2014 Incheon and 2018 Jakarta-Palembang Asian Games, followed by three golds in Hangzhou in 2023.

Malaysia’s recent success signals a resurgence in the sport within the region and sets a promising stage for the upcoming Olympic cycle as these athletes prepare for the global competition in Los Angeles.