CIMB Group Holdings Berhad (“CIMB or the Group”) announced today the addition of professional squash player Sivasangari Subramaniam to its esteemed roster of sporting ambassadors, emphasising its dedication to nurturing home-grown talent. Sivasangari joins track cyclist Datuk Azizulhasni Awang and professional golfer Ervin Chang in CIMB’s lineup of elite athlete associations.
CIMB Group has played a pivotal role in Sivasangari’s journey to success. As a promising junior and teenage star, she benefited from CIMB’s various programs, including the CIMB Junior Squash Development Programme in early 2009 and the CIMB Squash Academic Scholarship by CIMB Foundation, which granted her a full four-year scholarship in 2018.
This support enabled her to pursue tertiary education at Cornell University, New York, where she graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communications while receiving top-notch squash coaching.
The partnership signing ceremony was graced by Minister of Youth and Sports, Hannah Yeoh, with CIMB represented by CIMB Group, Chief Executive Officer, Group Consumer and Digital Banking, Effendy Shahul Hamid.
Hannah Yeoh expressed her pleasure at CIMB’s reaffirmation of commitment to empowering high-potential youth in sports and developing world-class athletes. She commended CIMB’s support for Sivasangari, citing her inclusion in the Road to Gold Programme Committee’s Fast Track programme as evidence of the Group’s dedication to elevating Malaysia’s status as a sporting nation.
“This partnership signifies a homecoming for Sivasangari. We have closely followed her career, and we are delighted that she and her family have agreed to continue partnering with us as she sets her sights on the future. She possesses the mindset and tenacity of a winner, and I anticipate her becoming a source of immense pride for the nation as she progresses.” Effendy said.
“CIMB is no stranger to such sponsorships, and we are thrilled to add her to our roster of sporting talent, which already includes Datuk Azizulhasni Awang and Ervin Chang. We expect all three to not only be ambassadors of CIMB but also ambassadors of the country as they strive for excellence in their respective fields globally.
“We are eager to contribute to the development of Malaysia’s sports industry, particularly in squash, especially with the sport’s inclusion in the Los Angeles Olympics games in 2028,” he added.
Expressing her gratitude, Sivasangari said, “I am humbled and honored to partner with CIMB, a brand synonymous with actively supporting many of our great talents today. CIMB has played an active role in my professional journey, from the early stages of my career until now.
I am grateful for the support to realise my ambitions as a professional squash player, turning my passion into a rewarding career. I will continue to make Malaysia proud, and I look forward to a fruitful partnership ahead with CIMB.”
Sivasangari, hailing from Sungai Petani, Kedah, currently holds the top spot in the national ranking and ranks 15th globally in squash. Since 2012, she has maintained an illustrious career, emerging champion at numerous national and international tournaments, including the British Junior Open, Asian Junior Individual Championship, Commonwealth Youth Games, and recently at the 2023 Asian Games in Hangzhou, both in individual and team categories.
In 2023, Sivasangari was honored with the Betty Richey Award by the Collegiate Squash League (CSL), recognising her exceptional play, passion for the game, commitment, fair sportsmanship, and high level of skill.
