GEORGE TOWN, June 13 — The 19th Penang (Malaysian) Junior Open 2023 squash tournament from June 20-25 will see a 67 per cent increase in foreign participation, with 132 players compared to 76 last year.

Penang Squash Racquets Association president and tournament director Datuk Linda Geh Guat Yeow said the tournament, to be held at the Nicol David International Squash Centre, Bukit Dumbar here, has also attracted the participation of 569 local players.

"We welcome back (players from) Canada, Macau, the United States and Australia this year,” she told reporters at a press conference here today.

She said the tournament was aimed at providing local players with the opportunity of competing against international players, adding that this was also a good platform to focus more on junior development.

She added that the tournament would comprise five age groups — Under-11, Under-13, Under-15, Under-17 and Under-19 — for boys and girls. — Bernama