KUALA LUMPUR: This year’s Deepavali celebrations are a little brighter for squash prodigy Sashana Istritharan (image: second from right).
The festival celebrates light, hope and new beginnings – values that resonate deeply with the young athlete.
At just 12, the Seremban-born youngster has already given the Negeri Sembilan Squash Association (NSSA) plenty to celebrate, having clinched the Girls Under-13 title at the Colombo Junior Squash Open in Sri Lanka on Oct 28.
She also finished runner-up in the Girls Under-11 category at the Australia Junior Open in 2024, demonstrating her ability to compete against some of the best young talents on the international stage.
A rising star of NSSA’s development programme, Sashana has been earmarked for the 2028 Malaysia Games (Sukma) in Kelantan.
She is also a regular sparring partner of association president Tunku Zain Al-‘Abidin Ibni Tuanku Muhriz, who last month took over as president of the Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia.
Growing up in a country with a rich squash heritage, Sashana has no shortage of sporting idols. However, there is one player she particularly hopes to emulate.
“My idol is S. Sivasangari,” said Sashana, referring to the Malaysian No. 1 and two-time Asian Games gold medallist.
“Hopefully, I can go on to represent the country and turn professional one day, like her.”
Sivasangari is currently ranked world No. 4 and has secured qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where squash will make its debut.
While Sashana dreams of one day competing on the biggest stage in squash, she is keeping her immediate ambitions firmly in sight, setting herself smaller, achievable targets along the way.
“My immediate target is to represent Malaysia in the Asian Junior Championships in May 2027,” said Sashana, who considers the Royal Sungei Ujong Club her home.
“I will play in the Scottish Junior Open from Dec 28 to 30, followed by the British Junior Open from Jan 2 to 6, 2027, as part of my preparation.
“Only the top three players qualify, and the challenge is considerable, but I remain focused on working towards that goal.”
Sashana first picked up a squash racket at the age of seven but took a break during the Covid-19 pandemic. She returned to the sport at nine with renewed commitment, laying the foundations for what has become an increasingly promising career.
“My first coach was Shaukat Ali, but now I train under Zulfikar Khan and Subhan Ahmed,” said Sashana.
“I am under the state’s podium programme, which gives me the privilege of receiving personal coaching.”
Despite enjoying the limelight, Sashana is quick to acknowledge the tremendous support she receives from her family, which has played a crucial role in her development.
Her twin brother, Vareshvar, is also an aspiring squash player and an important part of her journey. The siblings have two older brothers, Prabu and Pravin.
Their parents, C. N. Istritharan and Uma Thambypillai, are the family’s pillars of support, regularly accompanying Sashana and Vareshvar to tournaments.
“It can be a financial burden as we are financing our trips out of our own pockets, but it is worth it,” said Uma, who works in the oil and gas industry.
“We try to be at every tournament they play in. It is easier for my husband as he has his own law firm and a more flexible timetable. But travelling together is good for all of us.”
Uma said having Vareshvar alongside Sashana was particularly beneficial. Besides serving as her training partner, the twins also take turns observing each other’s matches during tournaments, identifying opponents’ strengths and weaknesses and exchanging advice on how best to approach their upcoming games.
Sashana knows that achieving her ambitions will require discipline, resilience and the courage to persevere when the going gets tough.
But this Deepavali, as lights shine across homes and communities, it is Sashana’s determination and ambition that promise to brighten her journey towards greater achievements on the squash court.
Image: Sashana flanked by her mother, Uma and father Istritharan.
