In the heart of Ipoh, where a small family who runs a restaurant serves comforting curry mee and Hainanese chicken rice, an extraordinary story of sacrifices, grit, and rising ambition is being written, not in the kitchen, but on the squash courts of Asia and beyond.
At just 15 years old, Jinoreeka Ning is fast becoming one of Malaysia’s most promising junior squash players. Her most recent triumph, winning the Girls Under-15 title at the Asian Junior Squash Championships in Gimcheon, South Korea, marks her second continental title, after bagging the Under-14 crown in China two years ago.
Yet behind the meteoric rise is a tale of relentless commitment from her parents, former state hockey player R.Manivannan and his wife Toh Chee Kuan, who have devoted over RM250,000, countless hours, and emotional support to fuel their only child’s dream of becoming a world-class squash player.
A Family Dreams Carved Through Sacrifices
“We’re doing everything we can to help her succeed”, says Manivannan, who owns sporting glory includes lifting the Razak Cup with Perak in 1992. Now, more than three decades later, he is paving a path for Jinoreeka to chase her own legacy.
Despite running a humble eatery in Ipoh Garden, the couple have made eight trips to Cairo over the past two years, to provide Jinoreeka with the best training possible. Her coach is renowned Egyptian trainer Omar Aziz, known for guiding world No.3 Hania El Hammamy.
Each trip to Egypt is in financial and emotional undertaking. But for Manivannan and his wife, its a price they’re willing to pay. All they want is for Jinoreeka to be good as the Egyptians, that’s why they are making the sacrifices.
Jinoreeka’s journey is not only impressive because of her wins, its because she has accomplished it all without a full-time coach in Malaysia. She picked up a squash racquet at just eight years old, and since then, has claimed 20 junior titles, climbing the ranks with sheer determination and drive.
Back in Malaysia, her training doesn’t stop. Weekends are spent driving from Ipoh to Kuala Lumpur for high-level sparring sessions at Lake View Club, and the Jalan Duta Courts, a routine that demands consistency, time, and a strong belief.
The family now has its sights set on the British Junior Open, one of the most prestigious events in junior squash, slated for next year. Its another goal on the horizon, and another opportunity for Jinoreeka to make her mark on the global stage.
Sources: NST
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