Typical Semi-Final Day on the Tour....

Just thought I share how a "day of rest" goes when you are on a major. On this case, the latest Worlds in Cairo. One of those days that are supposed to be for catching your breath, but in fact are full from morning to end....

Semis day. This afternoon, Omneya will affront Nicol for a rematch of their final in Sharm, 2010, and Raneem Alison. When you read this, you'll all know the results....

Raise and Shine.
 
Started with a meeting at 9am Egyptian Time - read 10.15 for the rest of the world - with Brqthru Management's Yasser Hamidou and Omar El Sherbini.

Brqthru is a young company that represent the Nours - Sherbini and Tayeb - and the Shorbagys Bros, plus a biiiiiig signing coming up - I could tell you, but then I would have to kill you.....

Very fruitful meeting, and I can't wait to start working on projects with those ambitious/energetic/full of beans young entrepreneurs.

Then, working on "The Man that saved the Squash Media" article, and getting ready to go driving with the Man himself to the Inspire Academy in El Obour.

Quite a way away from Maadi - but as it was Friday Day of Rest, traffic was great!

Inspire Academy is Ramy Ashour's School is situated in a beautiful private club, Golf City Club, run by Academy Director and Ramy's partner Tarek Shamekh, and his Ramy's Mum Dallal Ashour. Several coaches are looking after the kids several times a week after school/evenings and week-ends. Ramy is of course involved when he is in Cairo, but at the moment, he is working hard in New York...

The name Tarek Shamekh won't ring a bell for most of you outside Egypt, but suffice to say that Dallal asked this former Egyptian National Team player from the Barada, Elborolossy Junior Era to coach his little Hisham Ashour and a few years later a young Ramy Ashour.

Both of them didn't do too badly I hear, but whatever happened to them I wonder....

So we arrived there right after prayer (Friday between midday and 1), and I was as ever amazed how kids that are just passionate about squash in Egypt.

Under the eagle eyes of the mothers/sisters of course, the Kids are basically playing the whole time, with the coach, and with other kids. They never stop. Ever. Ever ever ever to run and play and laugh and being frustrated because they missed a nick and run and run and run.

Just looking at them I'm exhausted!

Then, a little match between my Egyptian Personal assistant Tamer and his good friend Tarek.

"I remember the first time I played with Tarek, recalls Tamer. "We were working in the same company and I was organising Squash Leagues. When I asked him if he played squash, he said that he played a bit when he was young.

"At the time, I was the best player in the company, but when I got on court with Tarek, as we started hitting the ball, I knew that my days as 'King of the Court' were over...!"

Before the match... After the match...

Yes, Tarek has some nice moves on the court, and I hear he is trying to prepare for the British Open Masters over 40 this year.... That's an excellent idea...

Needless to say that the crowd were supporting their Director and poor Tamer never had a chance, as the court, the lightening, the refs were against him, and that he couldn't appeal on Video Review when he was soooo obviously robbed when Central Ref (me) refused him an obvious let....

Back to the fun of Maadi Wadi Degla with a very busy club and a complete full house - only 500 seats were not enough for all the people that wanted to watch Omneya and WD girl Raneem trying to get to the final.

A little power cut - but we've got a generator that takes over - internet a bit slow for SquashTV, but overall a superb evening of Squash.

Once the article was done back at the hotel, I went out to have my first Sushi since I left Paris - how did I survive!!! - in Mori Sushi in Road 9 in Maadi, one of the nicest streets of Cairo I have seen so far.

It's 1am by the time I finish to read the last email, post the latest Press Alerts. Tomorrow, last day of competition. I cannot BELIEVE how fast this week has gone.... A typical day on the Tour, the end....