SINGAPORE — They have faced off countless times since 1998, but national squash players Vivian Rhamanan and Marcus Phua will set aside their long-time rivalry in their quest for gold in the men’s jumbo doubles at this year’s South-east Asian (SEA) Games.

The Singapore Squash Rackets Association (SSRA) is banking on the unbeaten duo, who have won four local and international tournaments since pairing up in January last year, to deliver a gold for Singapore when the Games’ squash competition takes place at Kallang Squash Centre and Tanglin Club from June 9 to 15.

Yesterday, the SSRA announced a S$120,000 sponsorship deal with Marigold to aid the national side’s preparations for the SEA Games. Marigold was also unveiled as the title sponsor for the inaugural Marigold South East Asia Cup from tomorrow until Saturday.

With many of the region’s top players competing, the meet is a valuable test for Rhamanan and Phua ahead of the SEA Games.

“We go back to 1998 when we were playing Under-12 finals against each other. We know each other very well and our understanding is telepathic,” said Rhamanan, 29, who is also the national assistant coach.

“The Malaysians will be the toughest to beat. We have no idea who’s coming, but they won’t have the experience and understanding that we have built.”

Added Phua, 26: “Based on past records, we are the team to beat. And we are aiming for the gold medal.”

Five gold medals in the men’s and women’s singles and team, and men’s jumbo doubles are on offer at the SEA Games squash competition, which will be held at the Kallang Squash Centre from June 9 to 13, before the jumbo doubles are staged at the Tanglin Club on June 14 and 15.

With squash making a comeback to the SEA Games after an eight-year hiatus, the lure of competing on home soil has also proved too tempting for Joannah Yue, who retired from the national team in 2006.

Now 38, Yue remembers catching squash legend Zainal Abidin in action at the 1993 SEA Games. Then 35 and a late-inclusion, Zainal set the stage for the men’s team victory over Malaysia in the final, as Singapore eventually claimed a clean sweep of four gold medals.

“It was a full house at Kallang and I remember trying to get to Court 1 and it was crazy,” said Yue, who won two women’s team silver and a singles bronze at the 1999 and 2001 Games.

“After 23 years, to be the one to play on home ground is very special. I’m still playing in international doubles and the World Masters. I feel like I haven’t aged, and hope I can deliver for Singapore.”

Although regional powerhouse Malaysia are likely to be without world No 1 Nicol David and Lee Wee Wern (No 8), the Singapore women’s team of Yue, Mao Shi Yuan, Nur Adawiyah Abdul Aziz, and Jerryca Teo will still face an uphill battle for gold.

With a target of five medals (1-2-2) for the SEA Games, SSRA president Woffles Wu is hopeful that a successful run at the Games will help revive the sport’s fortunes, and the Marigold event will be key to that.

The team tournament will feature about 40 players from Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines, Myanmar, Indonesia and Singapore. Part of the money will be used to fund the national players’ training camps overseas, while the remaining S$70,000 will go towards media advertising and developing apps and games to promote interest in squash and the SEA Games.

“For many years, squash was moribund, but we are seeing light at the end of the tunnel,” said Wu. “Hopefully with squash in the SEA Games (in 2017 and 2019), the next objective is to get players into the Asian Games.” Low Lin Fhoong

SEA Games line-up

- Men’s team: Bryan Koh, Marcus Phua, Vivian Rhamanan, Samuel Kang

- Women’s team: Joannah Yue, Mao Shi Yuan, Nur Adawiyah Abdul Aziz, Jerryca Teo