irenetan

SINGAPORE : Imagine playing squash in a four-sided glass court on a floating platform at Marina Bay.

This could take place just after next year's National Day Parade at the same venue.

The bold plan was revealed by the president of the Singapore Squash Rackets Association (SSRA), Desmond Hill, ahead of the CIMB Singapore Women's Masters Tournament.

Squash played in a four-sided glass court has a different feel for both the audience and television viewers.

Such a court was used at the Malaysian Open last week, when games were played in a shopping centre, for maximum impact.

And now Singapore is hoping to go one up.

Desmond said: "If we can arrange it such that the event is after National Day, so we have one readily available platform and you can imagine the picture - a four-sided glass court on a floating platform by the bay and a world class event. That would be simply fabulous, with the backdrop of Singapore skyline."

And this could be the venue for the CIMB Singapore Women's Masters next year.

The event will also raise the sport's profile, as it will get more attention from the media and sponsors.

And that is something the Squash Association has already scored. It got Malaysian financial firm CIMB to pump in about US$70,000 for the event.

Lee Ming San, CEO of CIMB-GK Securities, said: "Squash is a game that has a long heritage in Singapore and could do with a booster, and CIMB has had very good experience sponsoring squash in Malaysia and be associated with Nicol David, and it is a natural extension for us to bring our sponsorship of Malaysian squash into Singapore."

Singapore squash fans have not seen 12 of the top 15 women players competing here for some time.

So their presence and level of competition will surely be a treat for fans and help attract new followers.

Tania Bailey, World No. 4 squash player, said: "There are so many other sports, and obviously squash is not in the public as much as other sports, but I think we are getting there. If we can get out there and show people how good it is and (how) much we all enjoy it, how good it is physically and for your health and it's such a fun game."

And the game will get the most attention on Wednesday when Malaysian and World No. 1, Nicol David, leads the charge. She will be hoping to continue her winning streak after her triumph at the recent Malaysian Open. - CNA/de