26-Nov-11:
Deivida and Vaits front up in Latvia
Squash in Latvia received
a major boost when world number ones Nicol
David and John
White launched
the inaugural WSF Ambassador Programme in
the Baltic country's capital Riga this
week.
The new WSF international promotional initiative was led by
the two international squash stars - Malaysian David,
who has topped the women's world rankings since 2006 and
earlier this month won a record sixth World Open title, and
Australian-born White,
the former world number one from Scotland who is now the
Director of Squash at Drexel University in Philadelphia,
USA.
The Ambassador Programme also featured a coaching workshop
hosted by Ronny
Vlasseks, the Head Coach of the Dutch and Belgian
national squash teams, and a refereeing seminar led by
Scotsman Ian
Allanach, a former WSF top referee and now a worldwide
refereeing assessor.
"It's the first of a series of promotional visits to young
squash countries - in our bid to 'reach out'," explained WSF
CEO Andrew Shelley at
a press conference hosted by the Latvian
Squash Federation at
the Zelta
Bowling and Squash Center.
When
asked what Latvia need to do to become a successful squash
nation, Vlasseks highlighted the importance of a good
coaching structure which not only provides support for elite
players but introduces and nurtures youngsters coming into
the sport.
Shelley pointed out the success Malaysia achieved following
the introduction of a system in 1991 when it was confirmed
that Squash would make its debut in the Commonwealth Games
in Kuala Lumpur in 1998:
"Within ten years, Malaysia had
both the men's and women's world junior champions," said the WSF CEO. "There's no reason why the same could not happen
here in Latvia with the same commitment."
White and David were quizzed on their training routines, the
secrets of their success and the highlight of their careers.
"I will never forget walking into the stadium during the
opening ceremony of the 1998 Commonwealth Games in KL,
representing my country for the first time aged 14, with
everyone cheering for you - it was such a thrill," said
David, now arguably Malaysia's most successful star in any
sport.
Interest
in the visit led to attendance at the press conference by
Latvian Radio, LNT and LTV TV networks - and David being
interviewed live on the Radio 101 breakfast programme.
"Squash is a game which perfectly fits the mentality of our
people," said Latvian Squash Federation chairman Aleksandrs
Pavulans, the reigning Latvian champion.
"We are a small
country in squash terms, with six clubs in Riga and two more
in other parts of Latvia - but the Zelta venue here is the
biggest in the Baltic region, with eight courts together
with other leisure facilities.
"The Federation was restructured in 2006 and we now have a
national ranking system, a website, and run several national
tournaments for seniors and juniors," added Pavulans. |