 SAUDI
En Bref Everything you didn't know you needed to know about the Saudi International |
BUSY DUMAN… His
real name is AbdullRahman, but everybody calls him Duman.
His dad asked him to keep an eye on the players and take care of them,
so he hasn’t stopped really…The boy loves squash, and never misses an occasion of hitting the ball with who ever happens to be next to him at the time. And doesn’t he look great with a racquet??? And look at him getting fitness lessons with Karim just before his match against Jonathon. And Duman was really impressed with both of them, even if I suspect that he has maybe got a little soft spot for the Magician’s touch…  He
also took a few advices from the Boss himself, and believe me, that
little man was listening with attention to his every word…And guess who drove me round the place in a Golf Kart, showing me the chalets, the seaside, the fountain, the whole stunning scenery… Yop… Like I said in my first article about him, he is 10 going on 15. Let me change that now. Going on to 18… |
A SUMPTUOUS
INVITATION… After a long quarter-finals day, we were invited by Mister Saudi Squash himself, Samer Al Khateeb, an ex player who incarnates our great sport here in Saudi Arabia.  Samer was
kind enough to have a whole group of us in his home for a superb
seafood meal, all prepared at home by his wife, and organised by
himself. Our host received us in a wonderful fashion, such a variety
of beverages and food, starters, main dishes, desserts, sweets…Goodbye diet was the theme of the evening, that’s for sure… Robert The Voice thanked both Samer and Ziad for their tremendous achievement in organising the first ever major sport event in Saudi, and more than anything else, for their welcome and the friendship they have offered us. But I wanted to thank Samer personally to have taken so much trouble to entertain us in such superb fashion… Thank you very much, Sir… |
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CULTURE SHOCK… Jahangir
Khan was telling us last night of his first visit in Germany in 1980 and
the shock he had there…As the owner of the club where the competition was happening was giving him a quick tour of the club, Jahangir asked to be taken to the changing rooms. He was led to a room and as he started taking his clothes off, a lady came in the changing room. Utterly embarrassed, Jahangir, aged 16 at the time, grabbed his bag and his dignity and promptly exited, sure that he had been led to the wrong room. But to his surprise, the owner informed him that the changing rooms were for both male and female. “Oh no they are not”, said Jahangir. And they found him a little place where he could change in peace… And if you see Gawain Briars, ask him about the first time he went to a sauna in a squash club in the same Germany… |
CAN OPENER… We all know how great at taking pictures Fritz Borchert is, and also what a fantastic cake maker he is. But I did not know he is Master in opening jam cans.  “Fritz
is the only one who can open those little cans,” said Nick Matthew
waiting patiently while the German fail cracker was working on his
little marmalade pot. “So we all go to him when we have got a problem…”You learn about people EVERY DAY on this tour, let me tell you… |
ZIAD IS HOME… I
met Ziad Al-Turki a few weeks back in St Georges in London for
the qualifiers. And I immediately connected with this discreet,
immensely clever, caring and determined man, as well as with his
stunningly beautiful and adorable wife Anastasia. Those two found each
other, let me tell you….The man has got the passion of squash, the passion of life, he IS passion. He did his first public speech in Arabic during the opening ceremony, and I feel that was a very important moment for him and for his whole family. His admiration for the players is limitless. He just took under his wing the little prodigy Ramy Ashour and in my eyes, couldn’t make a better choice. This boy has got so much talent and respect, remember his name, he’ll be top 10 in less than 2 years… “I’ve learned to change my mind about certain players” he confessed. “Before I met them in real life, I had a certain idea of their personalities based on what I saw on court. And then, I approached them, talked to them, and I realised what great guys they all are.” Well, the man and his team has gone through hoops to organise the first ever Squash International event in Saudi. And I know that I’m voicing all the players when I thank him for his perseverance, kindness and vision that brought our sport to this magnificent country that is Saudi Arabia…  |
OUPS When I arrived yesterday, it was I’m sure you understand a bit of a rush. So every time I met a player, I was having a little chat to get a feel of the day. Until I saw Jonathon Power near the glass court as I finished talking with Karim about his victory over David. “How did you do today”, I asked the Magician, as I couldn’t for the life of me remember his result that day.
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| THE WEIRDEST
DAY… I cannot thank enough all the people who did their utmost best to get me on the tournament this week. As in any country, paperwork is never easy to sort out (I should know, I’m French, we even need a form to fill to have the right to fill the form…), but despite a weekend and a national holiday, thanks to a tremendous effort from two countries, Ziad and his friends eventually got me here.  As
I was getting ready to follow the Thierry/Greg match on our scoreboard,
the telephone rang. It was Tariek, my guardian angel who has been
taking care of me since I laid down a foot in Bahrain, who was telling
me the good news. The visa had been done.So as I was packing, Steve was keeping me informed of the happenings of the French Derby. Got downstairs, in the car and zoom, direction Saudi. We quickly found ourselves on that famous bridge I heard so much about, that took about 10 years to build I’m told, roughly 18 kilometres long that connects Bahrain to Saudi Arabia, a tremendous work of art and engineering. And I’m told that they are now starting the same enormous project between Bahrain and Doha… A few times, my heart still banged hard in my chest as I was waiting in the car, as Tariek would disappear for some long minutes in several offices at the customs. But with a smile on his face, the young man came back with the magic words: “it’s fine, let’s go”. And I arrived at the venue with the “What took you so long” and “you’re here at last” wonderful and warm welcome from Ziad, his wife Anastasia, his team, the delightful smile of AbdullRahman and Sharifa, two of his three children. Of course, I saw The Voice and Karen, his lovely assistant with whom I work in Kuwait, still working as hard as they could, James Poole in the press room who offered me a lovely warm cup of tea while I was speaking with Anthony and David who just finished their respective matches, and I was just in time to catch the second game of Nick versus Shabana. So thanks to all who have worked so hard to have the Frog tasting the atmosphere of Saudi. Grateful and humbled by so much care and attention… Thanks guys… Framboise |
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| BEING IN SAUDI James Poole's first event ...  Firstly
I want to say how much of a good time I’ve had in Saudi; it’s been
amazing in so many different ways. The hotel has been great with a
huge room and the biggest bed I think I have ever seen! The pool and
tennis courts have kept us happy in our few free hours here and there.Hadi Mitri and his team of hard working helpers have set up the venue superbly, Ashraf and national coach have done a great job in making sure everything is on time and runs smoothly-The boat trip that Ashraf arranged for me, Fritz the photographer, Russ and Shaun from Horizon and Duman is a memory that will stay with me for many years to come; especially the part when Duman (Mr Al-Turki’s son) put on 2 life jackets after he found out there were sharks in the water!  Anas,
who went from a graphic designer to an assistant tournament director
in the space of about 3 hours after the first person got off the plane
has been one of the most helpful guys you could ever hope to meet.
Karen (Rob's assistant) has been great to work with and fun to be
around, apart from the semi finals night when she and Rob beat me and
Anas in pool at the British Embassy! There are so many other people that I could mention who have made coming to Saudi the experience of a lifetime – Chris Watts who stretched us all out of our back and knee problems, Roy, Mike and Peter the refs, Shaun whose been working with the Malaysian players on fitness training, Homan and Emad who co-ordinated all of the transport and flights, all of the players like James, Nick, Peter, Lee and David to name a few. And of course the two people who made me being here a reality: Robert and Mr Al-Turki. All week Rob as been teaching me things and showing me how a tournament should be run in the best way possible, I am in his debt for giving me the chance to prove how much I want to do this in the future. I owe so much to Mr Al-Turki as well, you can see the huge amount of respect people have for him, and his passion for squash is unbelievable. He has been a generous and very involved host; it isn’t really hard to see why he is so popular! It has been the experience of a lifetime, and I hope that I will be a part of the event again next year… James Poole |
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SAUDI
NOT YET
17-Dec Everything you didn't know you needed to know about the Saudi International |
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You may have noticed that you do not have one word from me or one photo signed F Gommendy for the first round of this event. There is a simple explanation, I’m not in Saudi yet… Why? I'm still waiting for my visa… I cannot say I’m not THAT surprised by the fact that Saudi is thinking long and hard before letting the Frog in their country. Honestly, you cannot blame them… I hear that England has been trying to get rid of me for years…!!!!! So, after the slight surprised of being left on my own in Bahrain (about 45 minutes from the venue, so I’m told), I’m actually waiting in a very nice hotel minutes away from the Saudi Embassy that it opens on Saturday morning. Yes, you may not realise it (I certainly didn’t) that in Saudi/Bahrain, the weekend is actually Thursday/Friday…. Ziad and his team are doing their best to make my stay here as nice as possible, and I’ll let you know what is happening at this end as soon as I know. And anyway, I was happy to have a little rest, that’s for sure… But I’m sure this is actually a plot from the players who have had enough of me after nearly a month of putting up with me… Very funny, guys, cheers!!!!!!!! |
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