|
|
28-May, Hong Kong:
Wong wins 3 in a row &
Chiu takes her 10th title
Both the women's and men's defending champions retained their
respective titles in the Crocodile Hong Kong Closed Championships.
Asian Games gold medalist and world no 17 Rebecca Chiu
captured her 10th title beating promising youngster, 16 year old
Annie Au, 9-2, 9-3, 9-0. World ranked no 67 Wong Wai Hang
defeated 12 times champion Faheem Khan 9-3, 10-8, 9-7 to make it 3
in a row for Wong.
Following on from this first time successful title sponsorship by
Crocodile they will again title sponsor a women's/men's satellite
competion, Crocodile Challenge Cup 2005 in Hong Kong from the
12 - 17 July.
Chiu and Hang are currently competing in the
Mamut Dutch Open. |
|
Hong Kong
Squash announces the HK$180,000 sponsorship of Crocodile
Garments Ltd. of the “Crocodile Hong Kong Closed
Championships” and the “Crocodile Squash Challenge Cup”. |
30-May, Malta:
Malta National team
to face Poland
The Polish National squash team are visiting Malta from 30th
May - 5th June to take part in an intensive training camp
with National squash coach Paul Lake.
On Tuesday 31st May the Polish players were guests at
Cynergi health studio. A full mornings on court
training, complemented with a work in the gym and a relaxing
cool down in the pool was the days program.
The Polish players all expressed there gratitude to
Cynergi's General Manger Martin Azzopardi and were extremely
grateful for the chance to train at Cynergi.
In the evening, the Polish team were guests at LivingWell
Hilton, to participate in a friendly match against a team of
Malta based British players. All the matches were extremely
close, with 3 games being decided in the 5th & final set!
The final result however was very clear with Poland beating
'the Brits' 5 - 2
The Polish team were using this as a warm up to Thursdays
match at the Marsa Sports & Country Club where they will be
playing against the Malta National teams (men & ladies)
On Friday all the Polish squad will be participating in this
years Malta Open. Play starts on Friday evening & continues
all day Saturday.
Maltamedia Daily News |
26-May, Brazil:
Pan Ams Postponed
The Pan Am Federation Cup, scheduled to be held this
week in Rio de Janeiro, have been postponed at the last
minute and rescheduled for 26-Aug to 04 Sep.
The move is believed to be due to the desire of the FPS
(Federation Panamericano de Squash) to lobby effectively for
Squash's inclusion in the 2007 Pan Am Games. Although
included in the last two Pan Am Games, squash is not on the
list for 2007 and the new dates coincide with a crucial
meeting in Rio of the Pan American Sports Organisation which
will decide the final list of sports. |
26-May, India:
Delhi squash
players cleared
By: Amitoj Singh
The Delhi High Court has passed an interim order to the Squash
Racquets Federation of India to forward the names of the four Delhi
squash players to the May 31-June 4 Milo All
Star Squash Championship organisers in Malaysia.
Subsequent to SRFI refusing the sanction, the players from Delhi
approached the Delhi High Court for relief.
The SRFI was ordered to forward the names yesterday itself and have
been issued a show cause notice. The squash body will have to file
its reply by July 18.
Mid-Day |
|
26-May, India:
Squash academy becomes a boon for
players
The India Cements Sponsored Squash Academy in Chennai has been
fostering the game for years, helping improve the level of
sport in the country.
For the juniors, it's now time for a two-week summer camp. And
some of them are on their way to compete in Junior level
tournaments in Malaysia next week.
At every level of play, the participants are benefiting from
this programme.
 "I
want to be world champion one day. I've not got there yet and
training is an important ingredient and the India Cements
Squash academy in Chennai is I'm sure the best place to be in
the country," said Saurav Ghosal, men's junior national
champion.
But the Academy functions throughout the year picking out
promising students from every type of school.
Trained, qualified coaches get to work, teaching not just the
rudiments of squash but all that goes into the making of a
champion.
 "We're
really working scientifically and we are making a structured
training programme for our athletes - not just for the summer
camp, it's round the year - that's what we do," said Cyrus
Poncha, The Squash Rackets Federation of India.
The Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu is a valuable
participant in these development programmes making the Academy
the finest and most professional in the country.
The Academy has nurtured many a champion over the years but
its main focus remains spotting new talent and then training
and fostering that with the latest techniques available in the
country today.
NDTV.com |
|
27-May,
Bulgaria:
Petros takes BTC title
Magi Maleeva handed over the cups to the winners of this year’s
second BTC Squash Tournament. The winners were Petros Tzamaloukas
of Greece and Maria Atanasova of Bulgaria. The host of the
tournament was Easy Club in Sofia. Presiana Ribarova, marketing
specialist in Bulgarian Telecommunication Company, handed over the
cash prizes, amounting to 1850 euro.
The next tournament for 2005 will be in September. The organisers
have not yet chosen a host. A BTC representative said that BTC was
planning to sponsor a training camp for some of the best Bulgarian
players, to encourage and develop the players to be able to take
part in further international tournaments, and to take top positions
in world rankings.
Sofia Echo |
26-May, Australia:
Boswell ‘surprised’ by
Title Triumphs
 Australian
comeback king Stewart Boswell collected his fourth PSA Tour
title in six weeks at the WA Squash Open in Perth, but admits his
recent run of success has been a total surprise.
The former world No.4 from Canberra returned to the Tour in New
Zealand last month following a two-year layoff due to a mystery back
ailment and says his aim was simply to win a few matches and remain
unscathed.
“It’s been a bit of a bonus to win these tournaments, I wasn’t
expecting it, and it’s given me some confidence which is really
important,” said the 26-year-old, who continued his triumphant
return when he took out the Merredin Open in WA last weekend.
“I was more worried about just getting through the three tournaments
than winning them and I hoped to continue that form at the WA Open
but I had to pre-qualify which is never easy.”
His success in 2005 has seen his ranking rise from 262 in the world
to a respectable 137.
Boswell’s plans for the second half of the year are to gain
admission to qualifying for the big events such as the Hong Kong
Open and British Open and then return to gaining direct entry to the
main draw of the major tournaments in 2006.
“I’m still a fair way off the mark, I’ve got a lot of improvement to
make to take on the top guys in the world but I’m at least going in
the right direction,” said Boswell, who has yet to drop a game
during his opening three tournaments of 2005.
“I’m doing a lot of maintenance work and exercises to help my back
but there have been no flair ups and once I start a match I’m not
thinking about my back.”
Boswell had spent most of the past two years between the Australian
Institute of Sport in Brisbane and living with his parents in
Canberra. During this time he visited various physiotherapists,
doctors and spinal specialists – without any real success.
That is now becoming a memory and he can concentrate on doing what
he does best – winning tournaments.
Squash Australia |
26-May,
Pakistan:
Naeem, Mahad clinch
junior squash titles
QUETTA, May 26: Favourite Kashif Khan of Sindh fell to
unseeded Farzan Rasheed of Punjab in straight sets in the
U-19 final, however, M Naeem and Mahad Javed won the U-17 and U-13
titles respectively for Sindh on the final day of third Balochistan
National Junior Squash Championship at PSB squash Complex on
Thursday.
Kashif, who created a major upset when he squashed top seeded in the
semifinal was not in fine touch, lost the match 9-1, 9-5, 9-0 in
mere 23 minutes. It was Naeem who first won the medal for Sindh in
the U-17 event by beating his counterpart Shehzad Khan from PAF in
straight sets.
He smashed deadly drops and brilliant volleys to overpower his rival
9-3, 9-3, 9-4.
The second medal winner for Sindh, Mahad Jawad had to fight hard
after winning two sets 9-1, 9-5 easily.
He dropped the next two sets 7-9, 4-9 as promising boy Ahmed Amin
(Punjab) bounced back in the match with great drop shots. The last
set of the match ended in a thriller as the score reached eight all
at one occasion, but Jawad held his nerves to win the last set 10-8
after 73 minutes.
It was a great acheivement for Sindh as we had not won any Junior
medal since 2000, a Sindh Squash Association official said.
Results:
U-19 Farzan Rasheed (Punjab) beat Kashif Khan Sindh)
9-1, 9-5, 9-0
U-17 M Naeem (Sindh) beat Shehzad Khan (PAF)
9-3, 9-3, 9-4
U-15 Auranzeb (Punjab) beat Shaikh Saquib Punjab)
9-4, 9-1, 3-9, 9-4
U-13 Mahad Javed (Sindh) beat Ahmed Amin Punjab)
9-1, 9-5, 7-9, 4-9, 10-8
Dawn |
 |
Squash
SHORTS
News extracts from around
the world,
extracted by Steve Cubbins ...
contribute |
Issue 8
w/e 22-May-05 |
21-May, Dubai:
Al Habtoor
Motors claim
Dubai 3s trophy
Tracy Brand/Gulf News
DUBAI — Al Habtoor Motors Internationals, led by Renan Lavigne
of France, overcame Raymond Sport International 2-1 in the final to
win the Dhow Trophy of the Dubai Squash 3s which concluded at the
Dubai Country Club here yesterday.
Lavigne, ranked 24th in the world, showed his class in the opening
match against Phil Barker of Raymond Sport with an easy 15-8,
15-11, 15-8 to put his side on the way to victory.
Hadrian Stiff, also pursuing his ambition to be in the world
top 30, made it 2-0 for the new champions after some resistance from
Del Harris. Stiff, who has a current ranking of 15 in the UK,
took the opening game 15-8.
But Harris, the youngest player to win the British Championship when
he was 17 year-old, stretched Stiff in the second before surrendering
11-15. He put up the same fight in the third but that could not save
the game as Stiff won the game 15-10 and the match.
The match between Lee Drew of Habtoor Motors and Paul
Johnson of Raymond Sport provided a fitting finale to the
championship. It was a match between two-left handers where Johnson
had to draw on all his resources before scraping to a hard-fought 3-2
win.
 Johnson took the opening game 15-11 but Drew came back strongly to
level 1-1 after taking the second game 15-9. Johnson, a former top
five in the world and UK No.1, again took the lead 2-1 after winning
the third game 15-13. Though Drew took the fourth 15-11, Johnson
recovered to capture the fifth game 15-11. Raymond Kelly gave away the
trophy to Habtoor Motors.
"I knew it was going to be tough," Johnson said. "I was happy to use
my experience while playing a younger player like Lee. I think it was
my experience that made the difference in the end."
The event, in its
21st year, is one of the highlights of the squash calendar organised
each year and currently is the largest competition in Dubai
featuring professional world-ranked players.
The competition is so named because of the number of players on each
team which traditionally pits the professional teams against top
amateur teams.
Andy Staines, chairman of the 3’s committee said during a Press
conference at the Country Club yesterday: “This year we have top
ranked teams from France, Pakistan, Austria, Germany, and South
Africa — so we have some very talented up and coming players who are
very exciting to watch”.
Khaleej Times |
20-May, Pakistan
Never gave up in tough circumstances,
claims Jansher
 Legendary
Squash player Jansher Khan has said that he hung to top spot
in squash for a long time through sheer hard work and
commitment.
While talking to a private channel, Former World Squash
Champion Jansher Khan said that during his squash career he
had to come across various problems but he came out of them
successfully.
Replying to a question, he said that his parents wanted him
to continue studies but he jumped into the field of squash.
He said that in the initial stage he had to struggle a great
deal, as he had no money even to buy squash rackets, balls
and even joggers.
"I never gave up in hardships", he claimed.
Responding to a question, Squash Maestro said that his ideal
players were legends Jahanghir Khan, Atlas Khan, Mohibullah.
They helped him a lot during his career, he stressed.
He opined that if the players are not trained properly then
he or she cannot win laurels for the country as it is a
tough field.
Pak Tribune |
19-May, Australia
Mongolian Squash Team in Visa Mixup
The Mongolian squash team failed to make it to the 2005 Arafura
Games in the Northern Australia city of Darwin, due to a visa mix
up.
Because there is no Australian embassy in Mongolia the team had to
cross the Chinese border to make their visa application.
The team phoned Chinese officials about when they could collect the
visas.
But Arafura Games event director, Salli Cohen, says someone forgot
to tell them about a national public holiday and the visa office was
deserted.
Ms Cohen said the team had to return home empty handed.
"They were so keen to come and we were so keen to have them," she
said.
The Arafura Games were officially opened on Saturday night at
Darwin's Marrara Stadium.
Almost 3,000 athletes from 30 nations competed in 31 sports from
athletics and swimming to the southeast Asian favourite sepak
takraw, or volleyball, played with the feet.
Radio Australia |
|
19-May, Malaysia
Malaysia backs Squash and Karate
Five sports are bidding to gain acceptance into the Olympic
Games programme but Malaysia will have a keen interest on only
two of them – karate and squash.
 The
IOC executive board will review the programme for the 2012
Games on July 8 with a voting process and the Olympic Council
of Malaysia (OCM) president, Tunku Tan Sri Imran Tuanku
Ja’afar, hopes that karate and squash will get the nod.
“We already have athletes who have reached world standards in
these two sports,” said Imran.
“It will be good for Malaysia if these two sports make the
list. It will help lessen the burden of delivering medals on
the badminton players each time it comes to the Olympics.”
The Star |
|
19-May, England
Great season for Small Club
NEWBIGGIN Squash Club members are celebrating its most
successful year ever as the 2004/05 squash season comes to an
end.
Playing in the Northumbria Squash Leagues, the club completed
a remarkable treble, with the first team winning the
prestigious Premier league title for the first time ever, the
second team gaining promotion to the Premier League by
finishing runners up in Division One and the third team
gaining promotion to Division Two from Division Three.
If all that were not enough, two club stalwarts have been
picked to represent England in this summer's Home
Internationals.
Newbiggin, despite being a small club, have a history of
turning out strong and competitive first teams, but the
ultimate prize of the Premier League title has always eluded
them until this year.
News Post Leader |
17-May, England
Potters Bar returning to squash
glory
By Paul Wreyford
 Potters
Bar Squash Club are beginning to relive the glory days.
The club, now part of DHC Potters Bar Health Club, in Mount
Grace Road, are once again winning top honours in the world of
squash.
From being one of the top clubs in the country in the 1980s,
their prominence on the national squash circuit diminished
significantly over the years.
But now the good days appear to be back. The club's first team
won the Hertfordshire League this season, while the Vintage
side (Over-50s) won the Middlesex County League.
The first team had a fantastic season and lost just one match,
despite the fact that four regular players were missing.
The season culminated in a final title decider against
Harpenden Squash Club at Mount Grace Road, which they won
comfortably.
Edgware Times |
19 May, India:
Manchanda appointed Squash Observer
 The
Government of India has appointed Brig (retd) Raj Manchanda
as Observer for Squash.
His duties will include ensuring fair play during tournaments,
selection of teams representing India and various other areas
pertaining to Squash Racquets Federation of India.
Brig Manchanda became national champion at the age of 32 and
retained the crown for six years in succession in the 1980s.
He continues to win titles in the senior age groups.
He has represented India, and once took on Jehangir Khan in
the final of the Asian Team Championship in Pakistan.
Manchanda matched Jehangir well in the first game with several
stunning winners.
Mid-Day Mumbai |
19-May, Trinidad & Tobago
Champions Upset
in Opener
DEFENDING champions QPCC (Queen's Park Cricket Club) Hard Core
were slaughtered when Division A of the National Squash League
served off Wednesday night at the Queen's Park Oval Squash
Club.
A battle royale was expected between Hard Core and a new-look
QPCC Old Navy. But last year's winners, led by former multiple
national champ Richard Hart, proved no match for Old Navy and
were soundly whipped 4-1.
Rick Avey, a former Davis Cup tennis player who only joined
the side this season, won the only match for Hard Core when he
upset Marc Pontifex 7-9, 9-6, 9-1, 7-9, 9-5.
New members of the Old Navy roster, Josh Pinard, the national
under-19 champion, and Adam Alkins, just out of juniors,
joined Ryan Jagessar and national champ Paul Jerome De
Verteuil in winners' row.
Trinidad & Tobago Express |
|
20-May, England,
Times Online:
Khan's quest for Olympic inclusion
By Matthew Syed
 Matthew
Syed outraged the squash world with an article published in The
Times during the British Open ... he went some way to making amends
with this new article ...
DO YOU, like me, shudder at the prospect of golf or rugby union
joining the Olympic Games? It is bad enough having to put up with
the likes of football and tennis, whose athletes seem to regard the
greatest sporting event on earth as a second holiday.
Which is one of the reasons why squash ought to be at the top of the
ballot paper when the IOC votes on July 8 as to which sports, if
any, to add to the Games of 2012. If members of the blazered brigade
bestow their favours upon this cruelly overlooked sport, they can at
least be assured that the players will express their gratitude by
fighting for gold as if their lives depended on it.
Jahangir Khan, who went unbeaten for five years, seven months and
one day during the 1980s, summed up what Olympic status would mean.
“It would give the sport an unbelievable boost,” he said. “The
Olympics would instantly become the most prestigious title, which
would make for a great spectacle in 2012. Unlike some of the other
candidates for inclusion, squash is a game of real athleticism.”
 It
certainly is. I met Khan at the Brit Insurance Super Series Finals
in London and within minutes of sitting down with the great man to
watch Lee Beachill against James Willstrop (two of the world’s top
players, both from Pontefract, Yorkshire) I found myself wincing in
sympathy. Each rally is a mini epic, transporting the players to the
outer limits of exhaustion as they dance around each other in
elaborate semicircles. It is near- impossible to kill a rally — the
harder the ball is hit, the more it seems to bounce.
Full article on Times Online |
19-May, England
Anger after squash club
battlers are kicked out
TWO protesters fighting against the development of a famous squash
club have had their memberships terminated.
Clan Real Estates applied to demolish the popular Lambs Squash
Club in Lamb's Passage, Finsbury, and replace it with a
nine-storey block of flats.
The club - sold to the developers for £4million by former club owner
Mike Corby - is considered by enthusiasts to be the squash
equivalent of Wimbledon.
Club member Ken Pottinger set up a campaign to save it,
gaining support from former Islington South and Finsbury MP Chris
Smith.
And earlier this month Islington Council's assistant director of
planning, Graham Loveland, threw out the application after more than
200 objections.
Mr Loveland said: "The existing sports facilities on site contribute
to the character and liveliness of the area, and play an important
role in the borough and the wider area in the provision of indoor
sports facilities."
 But
the protesters received a blow when Mr Pottinger and ladies' captain
Tania Loughran's memberships were terminated.
Mr Pottinger said: "Thanks to the success of the campaign, Mike
Corby has thrown us out of the club. This is totally unacceptable.
As president of Squash England, he is responsible for developing the
game at grassroots level. It's a little invidious to start chucking
out members just because they've voiced their opinions."
Mr Corby said: "Tania Loughran has had a free membership for the
past 18 months because she is meant to be helping us. It was
terminated because she said and wrote things that are creating
confusion and bewilderment among our staff.
"It's a shame but the campaigners have to accept that squash at
Lambs is dead. Even if the planning permission is refused again the
courts will be turned into a gymnasium."
Islington Gazette |
Wales, 17-May
Squash played a winning role
in Leeke's expansion
Gareth Morgan, Western Mail
THE millionaire head of the Leekes family business has told how
sponsoring a squash tournament helped his retail empire skyrocket.
Gerald Leeke, 63, said his commitment to the sport was a
turning point that helped take the family name on a journey from
Rhondda builders' merchants to the national out-of-town chain
recognised nationwide today. Squash may not be as high-profile as
football or rugby but it has helped the company spread its profile
far and wide.
And Mr Leeke, who is ranked 17th most wealthy Welshman on The Sunday
Times Rich List, said that while he has invested a lot of money in
sport over the years, it has given a lot back to his business
interests. The Leekes empire is now worth an estimated £70m.
In 1989, Mr Leeke was approached by Adrian Davies, a young and cocky
professional squash player from Llanelli who had a vision of
establishing a world-class team in South Wales.
Within two years they were regularly winning the UK premier league
title.
 Then
came the clincher.
"We decided it would be good to bring the British Open down from
Wembley - it is like the Wimbledon of squash," he said.
"I am an enthusiastic follower, and played a lot of sport, from
cricket to rugby to squash.
"But I still liked to think that if we were spending money then we
would be getting some credit for it. This was a way of getting the
top 50 players in world squash down to Cardiff, and just for a
couple of hundred grand." At the time it offered the largest prize
money in the world of squash.
 That
investment brought big names like the legendary Jahangir Khan of
Pakistan to South Wales, attracting huge attention.
Mr Leeke, who qualified as a chartered accountant before joining the
family business in Treorchy, said, "At the time, Leekes was becoming
known as the out-of-town department store and the idea was to get
national coverage, way beyond South Wales."
Although when the company opened its three stores across Wales and
the West Country it would have more money available to invest in
sport, this relatively modest start had a huge impact.
The company was instrumental in helping establish a contract between
Sky Sports and squash governing-body the PSA, and of course there
were company logos plastered all over the event.
"Soon enough people were noticing this and thinking, 'Gosh, I did
not think Leekes was as big as that'."
Despite pumping in excess of £2m into squash sponsorship between
1989 and 1997, Mr Leeke is convinced it started a beneficial
relationship between his company and sport.
"It has been a two-way process," he said. "You can spend a lot of
money on advertising; to spend a couple of hundred grand on sport
and spend that in the public eye is a good investment.
"If I was not interested in sport I would no doubt have found other
things to invest in.
 "But
as a company we are very interested in sport - it is a chance to
enjoy yourself too."
Leekes has gone on to become a huge retail success and recognisable
chain in its own right, while Mr Leeke's links with sports did not
stop there. He went on to establish new interests like the Vale of
Glamorgan Resort and Spa - home of two top-quality golf courses.
Last weekend it hosted the annual Challenge Tour, a major golf
tournament, on its first visit to South Wales.
And next week it will welcome the British and Irish Lions squad
after coach Sir Clive Woodward was impressed by the facilities on
offer. "Sir Clive was over the moon when he came here. The Lions
have already stayed here for a couple of days and the English lads
said they could not believe the facilities on offer," added Mr
Leeke.
IC Wales |
Squash
SHORTS
News extracts from around
the world,
extracted by Steve Cubbins ...
contribute |
Issue 7
w/e 15-May-05
SHORTS ARCHIVE |
14-May, South Africa:
Hansen and Swartz
take SA Titles
 Johannesburg
- Adrian Hansen and Tenille Swartz have emerged
triumphant after the completion of the SA National Squash
Championships.
For Hansen victory was very sweet particularly after a disastrous
2004 when he was involved in two car accidents suffering injuries
which forced him to scratch in the final against Craig van der Wath
and put him out of the Test series against the Netherlands in June.
Hansen, who became the first Kwazulu Natalian to win the national
title in 2003 when he defeated Rodney Durbach, lost the first game
5-9 but his relentless retrieving had Durbach at sixes and sevens as
the Kwazulu Natalian slipped through the second game at 9-7.
Both players struggled to gain control in the fourth game but it was
Hansen who again notched it at 10-8.
More confident and willing to take chances, Hansen dominated play in
the fourth game which he pocketed 9-3 against a surprisingly out of
sync top seed, who is ranked 32 in the world.
Swartz's victory although perhaps slightly unexpected was the cherry
on the top of her 18th birthday celebrations.
In the first game Nitch held game ball twice at 8-6 but tenacious
play by the Grade 12 learner saw her win it at 10-8. Unforced errors
by Nitch, who has won the title a record nine times, together with a
string of attacking shots by Swartz saw the second seed pocket the
second game 9-6 and race to a 7-0 lead in the decider.
Nitch clawed back to trail 4-7 but Swartz sensing victory applied
more pressure and won the match on her fifth match point.
To add to her delight Swartz was named as captain and number one
player in the SA National under-19 side which will participate in
the World Junior Team championships in Belgium from July 21 to 31.
Third place in the men's event went to Mike Tootill who reversed his
defeat in the Men's 35-39 event by beating Craig van der Wath 3-2
with Farrah Fenner finishing third in the women's event when Nadine
Harber was forced to scratch because of a knee injury. - Sapa
Independent Online |
10-May, South Africa
SA players for
Squash Games
 Johannesburg
- Rodney Durbach and Tenille Swartz have been
selected to represent South Africa at the World Squash
Games in Duisburg, Germany, from July 16 to 19.
Some 15 countries including Australia, Great Britain, and
Egypt will be seen in action where the qualifying criteria
was a finish in the top 10 in either of the Men's World Team
or Women's World Team Championships.
The competition will be fierce with Australia's Rachel
Grinham and Vanessa Atkinson, ranked one and two in the
world respectively, heading the women's seedings and
France's Thierry Lincou and Peter Nicol of England, also
ranked one and two in the world respectively, topping the
men's.
Manager of the SA team is Richard Castle who has recently
been appointed national coach. Castle's appointment has been
made possible by funding from the Lotto.
Squash South Africa, because of financial constraints, has
not had a national coach since 1994 and as with all
federations competing in the international arena, this
position is vital in taking the sport forward.
Castle, presently based in Somerset West, is ranked in the
country's top 20 and has coached Adrian Hansen, Glenn
Whittaker and Farrah Ferner as well as a number of the
country's up-and-coming juniors. He coached the
KwaZulu-Natal men's squad when they swept to victory in the
2003 Jarvis Cup - the annual interprovincial - winning all
three sections.
News24 |
11-May, USA:
Corporate Squash Emerges in New York City
The second “MSRA Corporate Squash Challenge” has kicked-off
in New York City. The tournament is taking place across various
clubs in Manhattan between April 29th and May 22nd. The event will
be held across a number of facilities in the New York City area,
including the Harvard, Yale, Princeton and New York Sports Clubs in
Manhattan.
The second “MSRA Corporate Squash Challenge” has kicked-off in New
York City. The tournament is taking place across various clubs in
Manhattan between April 29th and May 22nd. The event will be held
across a number of facilities in the New York City area, including
the Harvard, Yale, Princeton and New York Sports Clubs in Manhattan.
Leveraging on the success of the inaugural tournament which received
10 firm entries, the second round of the tournament will include 13
firms and about 26 teams (a firm may submit multiple entries for
different divisions). The 13 firms include the pre-eminent
investment banking and financial services firms in the world (in
alphabetical order):
1. American Express
2. Bear Stearns
3. Citigroup
4. Credit Suisse First Boston
5. Deutsche Bank
6. Goldman Sachs
7. JP Morgan
8. KPMG Corporate Finance
9. Lehman Brothers
10. Morgan Stanley
11. Prudential Financial
12. UBS
13. Warburg Pincus
eMediaWire |
|
09-May, Malaysia:
Sally shows her class
By D. MAHESHWARI
 SALLY
LOOI continued to dominate the SportExcel Premier Squash
Championships when she clinched the girls’ title for the
second consecutive time at the National Squash Centre in Bukit
Jalil yesterday.
After her victorious outing last month in the first leg, the
18-year-old national junior from Petaling Jaya was once again
in her element as she whipped Hong Kong’s Joey Chan 9-0, 9-5,
9-0.
Sally recently scored a first for herself when she advanced to
her first ever quarter-finals – in the Taranaki Open – since
turning professional this year.
Fourteen-year-old Penang- born Low Wee Wern (left) beat Leung
Shin Ngu of Hong Kong 9-4, 2-9, 9-4, 9-6 to finish third.
While Joey and Shin Ngu failed, their male compatriot Anson
Kwong was crowned champion when he beat Ivan Yuen 9-1, 9- 2,
9-4.
Meanwhile, Penang’s Jesmond Low and Misaki Kobayatsu of Japan
were crowned the boys’ and girls’ Under-19 champion in the 3rd
leg of the SportExcel- NSC-Milo-MSSM National Championships.
Jesmond downed Mithran Selva of Perak 9-5, 7-9, 9-0, 10-8
while Misaki upstaged Zulhijjah Azan of Kuala Lumpur 9-3, 9-7,
6-9, 10-8.
Results (All finals)
Boys’ Under-13: Kala Devan (Sel) bt Al Ardy Ally (Phg) 9-3,
9-3, 9-2
Under-11: Al Nick Ally (Phg) bt Shaun Kwan (KL) 9-2, 10-8, 9-2
Girls’ Under-13: Leong Sue Ann (Sel) bt A. Logana (NS) 9-1,
9-2, 9-7
Under-11: Celine Yeap (Pg) bt Cheryl Lee (Sel) 9-2, 9-7
Malay Mail |
13-May, Barbados:
Top men in Barbados Quarters
ACTION heated up on Wednesday night in the Men's Open of the
Barbados Olympic Association sponsored national squash
championships currently being played at Marine House courts.
Seven of the top eight men's seeds made it safely through the
first round to advance to the men's quarter-finals.
The top seed and defending men's champion, Shawn Simpson,
had few problems in disposing of national junior player, Alex
Garcia, 9/1, 9/6, 9/2. Simpson will next take on the local
Under-17 and Under-19 champion, Bryant Cumberbatch, the
number five seed who eased past Roger Martin in straight games
9/7, 9/6, 9/1.
Number three seed, Nigel Griffith, easily defeated Tim
O'Neal 9/2, 9/6, 9/3 and will face Craig Archer in the
quarterfinals. Archer enjoyed a fortuitous walkover when his
opponent, number eight seed Fabian Goodridge, failed to show
up for his match. In the bottom half of the draw, number two
seed, Marlon White looked comfortable against former
Barbados' junior representative, Ryan Truss, and won 9/5, 9/7,
9/2.
In the quarters, White will meet number seven Richard
Moorjani who dropped the second game against Orson Simpson
before closing out strongly to win 9/1, 4/9, 9/3, 9/0.
Barbados Advocate |
|
11-May,
England:
Islington refuses developers application to
demolish Lambs:
The determination was made May 10, 2005. A summary provided to the
Lambs Action Group by Cllr Steve Hitchins Leader, Islington Council,
says in part: The reasons for refusal relate to: design of the
proposed scheme; standard of the proposed residential units within
the scheme; impact on neighbouring properties; setting of the
adjacent listed building; and the loss of sports facilities.
The loss of the Squash Club as a reason for refusal was considered
at length ... (as) this issue is not clear cut in terms of the
Council's policies. However having considered our polices,
those of the London Plan and the national planning guidance
PPG17 (recreation and leisure, it was considered that a reason for
refusal along these grounds could be sustained. Further weight was
given to this reason for refusal by the receipt of 200 letters of
objection, including letters from Sport England and the Corporation
of London (as an adjoining Borough).
|
13-May, Pakistan:
Jahangir pushes Olympic Bid
World Squash Federation (WSF) president and former Pakistan legend
Jahangir Khan said the body was pushing for the game to be included
in the 2012 Olympics.
Jahangir, who with compatriot Jansher Khan dominated international
squash in the 1980s and 1990s, said the game should replace one of
the 28 existing summer Olympic sports which are due to be put to a
vote later this year. “The WSF is lobbying hard for squash getting a
place in the Olympics,” he told AFP. “We were disappointed when it
was not included for the 2008 Beijing Olympics.”
Squash along with golf, rugby, roller-sports and karate, will vie
for a possible place at the 2012 Games if any of the existing 28
Olympic sports is removed by the International Olympic Committee
(IOC) on July 8. The IOC earlier this month decided that all 28
Olympic sports will face the vote in Singapore in two months time
and must win a majority vote from IOC members to avoid being
dropped.
The decision is opposed by some of the IOC members but if the voting
comes about and any sport is axed, the IOC Executive Board will
select a replacement from the five applicants. No sport has been
axed from the Olympics since polo from 1936 Berlin Olympics. “I am
very hopeful because some of the Olympic sports do not have any
appeal for the public as well as for the television audience and I
hope squash is on the verge of an Olympic place,” said Jahangir.
“Squash is played worldwide and the choice of venues in squash
offers more charms than a lots of other sports to earn a place in
the 2012 Olympic Games,” he said. The IOC is likely to decide in
July the host city of the 2012 Olympics with London, Paris, New
York, Moscow and Madrid in hot pursuit. “All those cities who are
bidding to host the 2012 Games have exciting venues for squash,”
said Jahangir, who has won six world and a record ten British open
titles. afp
Daily Times |
10-May, New
Zealand:
Bay woman to take on the big boys
Shane Hurndell
 Hawke's
Bay women's squash player Shelly Te Uki will set a first for
the province's Super League which begins tonight.
The Hastings A2 grader will play in the men's section of the third
annual More FM Super League. Unbeaten in the top women's berth last
year, Te Uki, has the No.3 men's spot in the Hawke's Bay
Refrigeration side.
"I don't want the switch to be seen as a put-down of other women in
the competition ... I'm making the move in the hope it will motivate
me to do a bit more," she said.
"Hopefully, it will see me better prepared for the district
eliminations later in the year and the Squash Eastern rep team
should I have time to play for them," said the mum of three girls -
a 10-year-old and three-year-old twins.
Hawkes Bay Today |
 10-May,
England:
WISPA Introduces Mentoring
A mentoring initiative intended to smooth the early years for
younger players on the women's world squash circuit has been
introduced for the membership of the Women's International Squash
Players' Association (WISPA)
The scheme, which will be managed by England's world No8 Jenny
Tranfield (a PhD in Sports Psychology), WISPA Executive Director
Andrew Shelley and consultant Bob Morrison, will link
a mentor (i.e. an experienced Tour player) with a newly-joined one
(which WISPA is calling a mentee).
 "The
advantages for the mentee include advice, of course, but the
benefits extend beyond this," explained Shelley. "The overall goal
is greater enjoyment and overall an improved Tour experience for
WISPA members." Full Details |
May 11, India:
Squash Gains Ground in India
Squash in India is a sport that is slowly but surely making its way
up.
The Indian Oil-Otters Open Squash Tournament is one of the
few showcases for national squash talent.
A constant complaint from the senior players has been that besides
the national there is a lack of opportunity to play squash and make
a living off the sport.
 However,
the younger bunch is slightly more optimistic. India's future squash
prospects are bright with the likes of Ritwik Bhattacharya
and Saurav Ghoshal who are already ranked on the
international circuit.
They agree that there isn't enough backing for the racket game but
say it is up to them to do well.
"If we can perform at senior level also, then maybe the priorities
of the sports ministry will change, they will start supporting us. A
lot depends on us and on how we perform. After all the government
does have its limitations, it cannot support all sports," said
Sourav Ghoshal, winner, Indian Oil-Otters Open.
 Top
ranked women's player Joshna Chinappa has been in the
limelight thanks to some recent success. She believes once Indian
squash comes of age, it will be on par with international standards,
giving Indian players a level playing field on world courts.
There's plenty of work still to be done for Indian squash to be able
to create an impact on the world scene. But the success of
tournaments like the Otters Open with prize money of about Rs 3
lakhs indicate the future of the sport might be well served in the
country.
NDTV.com |
Squash
SHORTS
News extracts from around
the world,
extracted by Steve Cubbins ...
contribute |
Issue 6
w/e 02-May-05 |
30-April,
England
WISPA Launch
On-Line Entry
 WISPA is launching a new service which will enable its members
to make their WISPA World Tour event entries directly on-line.
Additionally, they will be able to withdraw their name before
entries close and instantly view current entry lists.
"By entering the Members Area of the WISPA website and logging in
with their personal password they will be able to manage their
entries at any time of the day from anywhere in the world without it
needing to be processed by the office during our business hours,"
commented WISPA Executive Director Andrew Shelley.
The arrival of on-line entry is another facet of the general
enhancement of services for members and promoters that is being
taken forward by the Women's International Squash Players'
Association.
|
 Squash
in the (Island) Games
While squash is still hopeful of inclusion in the Olympics,
one milestone has been reached with its inclusion for the
first time in the Island Games, which features 15
sports from Archery to Volleyball. The Island games are
called the "friendly games", but are taken very seriously by
the participating islands.
To be held this year in Shetland from 9-15 June, nine
islands have confirmed their participation: Bermuda,
Gibraltar, Guernsey, Isle of Man, Isle of Wight, Jersey,
Orkney, Shetland, Western Isles.
The Cayman Islands were hoping to compete, but due to
Hurricane Ivan they have been without squash courts for the
last six months so cannot make it.
Scottish squash are supporting the games, and sending a
technical team up to Shetland. The squash will take place on
three new courts at the Clickimin Centre, which feature
moveable walls to provide two doubles courts.
Full details on
www.shetland2005.info
|
28-April, England
End of an era as squash club closes
A sports club which has been a focal point of a Shropshire town for
more than 35 years will close its doors for the final time today.
Shifnal Squash Club is set to be demolished to make way for a
housing development
Owner Brian Downing said: "The staff are sad and I am sad, but it is
a bit of both really, it's a mixture of sadness and excitement."
The building, off Aston Street, will be bulldozed as part of a
multi-million pound scheme to build 41 homes, including a mixture of
two and three-storey apartments and houses.
Developer Westbury Homes is expected to move in next week and work
is likely to last for about a year.
Mr Downing, who has owned the club for 18 years, said that the last
few years had been difficult and he was pleased that he was now able
to look to the future.
Shropshire Star |
|
28-April, India
Top players for
Otters squash
 India number one and men’s top seed
Saurav Ghosal and women’s top
seed Joshna Chinappa will seek to defend their titles when the
Indian Oil-Otters Open Squash Tournament to be held at the Otters
Club from May 1 to 7.
Ghosal will face a strong challenge from the formidable Manish
Chotrani of Mumbai and Gaurav Nandrajog and Amjad Khan of Delhi.
Ghosal will also have the added responsibility of defending the
boys’ under-19 title, where he faces another challenging line-up
that includes local lads Manek Mathur, Rushabh Vora and Vikram
Malhotra.
Joshna Chinappa will be up against the likes of fancied Dr Deepali
Anvekar.
Mid-Day Mumbai |
|
25-April, Barbados
Marlon White wins another Over-35 title
MARLON WHITE continued his good form on Friday night, making claim
to another title in the Barbados Olympic Association sponsored
Veteran s Squash Championships.
The top seed and defending champion, White carried off another
National Over-35 squash title as the competition continued at the
Barbados Squash Club s Marine House courts, Hastings.
In his final round robin match White faced some stern resistance
from Jason Small, who managed to win a close second game before
White turned up the pressure and won at a canter 9/5, 7/9, 9/0, 9/1.
In other action on Friday night, the top two seeds in the men s
Over-40 event safely swept through to the final in sharply
contrasting fashion.
Number two seed Mark Sealy imperiously dismissed the number four
seed, Craig Archer, in 20 minutes for the loss of only five points,
9/2, 9/1, 9/2.
On the other hand, top seed Nigel Griffith, who is the defending
Barbados Southern Caribbean and Caribbean Over-40 champion was
severely tested in a marathon semi-final by number three seed, John
Cumberbatch. He bravely clawed his way back from 0-2 down in games,
to two all, and then led Griffith 5-0 in the fifth and deciding
game.
However, the indomitable Griffith then dug in deep down to somehow
find another gear and called on all his reserves of stamina and
bravery to reel off nine straight points to defeat his opponent 9/7,
9/6, 3/9, 5/9, 9/5 in 55 minutes, the longest match of the
tournament.
Barbados Advocate |
|
 30-April,
Netherlands
Mamut
goes Dutch
The Dutch Open has found a new sponsor in Mamut, the business
software company that last year sponsored the English and Oslo
Opens.
To be held in Almere on 31st May to 5th June, the event features PSA
and WISPA draws, with an exceptionally strong entry expected for the
$31k women's event.
 Frank van Loon, director of Squash Bond Nederland, is very
content with the promotion squash in the Netherlands. "With half a
million regular squash players the Netherlands belongs to one of the
leading squash countries in the world.
"Last year we had the World Team Championship for females and this
year we have the European Team Championship for men and women and
the Mamut Dutch Open Squash 2005."
Full details |
 US
Professional Champs adds women's event
Bob Hanscom, LAAC Squash Professional reports ...
The 2005 United States Professional Squash Championships will again
be hosted by The Los Angeles Athletic Club, over the weekend of
June 23-26, 2005.
George P. Sape, Managing Partner for the law firm of Epstein
Becker & Green has confirmed that his firm will once again be
the Title Sponsor.
Celebrating its fifth-year, the event will have a new format this
year, with a women’s professional division being added. In addition
to the top eight U.S. male professional players, the event will
feature eight of the top female players living in America today as
well. The event is sanctioned by both the USSRA and WISPA.
Full details |
28-April, Australia
McKay backs Squash for Olympics
 Squash is on the program for next year's Melbourne Commonwealth
Games but the sport's greatest ever player Heather McKay believes it
should also be included in the 2012 Olympics.
McKay, recently inducted into the nation's Squash Hall of Fame, says
the sport's inclusion in the Olympics will propel it to greater
recognition in Australia, a country that has already produced an
abundance of champions.
Michelle Martin and Sarah Fitz-Gerald, two former world champions
who followed in McKay's giant footsteps, won gold medals for
Australia at the 1998 Kuala Lumpur and 2002 Manchester Commonwealth
Games.
But squash is still battling for credibility at the Olympic level
and is currently locked in a dogfight with rugby union, golf and
roller sports for inclusion in the 2012 Games.
"I hope it'll keep growing and when we get into the Olympics, and
I'm sure we will, I think that'll give it a tremendous boost," McKay
said.
"That will certainly drive it on a little bit more throughout the
world and give it a lot more recognition."
Sydney Morning Herald |
01-May, Pakistan
PSF
disciplinary committee
to probe Rehmat, Farhan clash
 ISLAMABAD: The disciplinary committee of Pakistan Squash Federation
(PSF) will meet in a few days to probe differences between squash
coach Rehmat Khan and player Farhan Mahboob.
The national coach a few days ago had exchanged hot words with
Farhan at the sports complex when Farhan reportedly refused to
follow the coach’s instructions during the training.
Reports said that assistant coach Ayyaz Khan, who is a nephew of
senior coach Rehmat Khan, also had a physical clash with Farhan.
Other players present at that time, however, prevented a fight.
An official of the Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) said that the
matter was not that serious as it was made out to be.
Secretary PSF Wing Commander Zulfiqar Ahmmed said that the matter
had been brought to the notice of Air Marshal Rashid Kaleem, Senior
Vice President PSF, and he would soon call the disciplinary
committee meeting to sort it out.
The members of the disciplinary committee are Wing Commander M
Zulfiqar Ahmed, Secretary PSF, Secretaries of provincial squash
associations and two Pakistan Squash Federation Vice Presidents
Qamar Zaman and Mansoor Khan - both former squash players
Pakistan Times |
01-May, Canada
Edmison & Pritchard
win national junior squash titles
Third-seed Stephanie Edmison of Toronto upset number-one seed Neha
Kumar of Oakville, Ont., to win the women's under-19 final Sunday at
the 2005 Canadian junior squash championships.
Edmison overcame a 0-2 deficit to win 8-10, 6-9, 10-8, 9-1, 9-5.
Last year the two players met in the under-17 final with Kumar
taking the title. Edmison also fought back from 0-2 in that game but
lost the fifth game.
"I wanted revenge," said Edmison, a 17-year-old high school student.
"In the first two games today I felt really nervous. So I tried to
focus on the aspects that got me to the final such as my speed,
endurance and determination."
 In the men's under-19 final, top-seed
Keith Pritchard beat Patrick
Bedore fellow Calgarian 9-7, 9-6, 5-9, 9-1. Bedore, seeded seventh,
also impressed this week eliminating the number-two and three seeds
on his way to the final.
"I know Patrick well and I wasn't surprised to see him in the
final," said Pritchard. "He had been playing well leading into the
tournament. He does a lot of talking with the refs so I tried to
stay away from that and keep focused. I was pleased with how I
overcame the pressure to win as top-seed in my hometown."
The Canadian Press |
Squash
SHORTS
News extracts from around
the world ... |
Issue 5
w/e 24-Apr-05 |
Australia, 23-Apr:
Indian Juniors Down Under
3 top Indian Juniors (Dipika Pallikal, Anwesha Reddy &
Harita Omprakash) accompanied by National Coach Cyrus
Poncha arrived into Adelaide on 13Apr on a 25 day tour. We will
participate in the Australian national junior series (15-23 April)
and undergo a 2 week (25 April - 7 May) training stint at the
Victorian Institute of Sports.
The first of the 2 tournaments started on the 15April and the Indian
girls did very well to clinch 2 titles, the under 13 title claimed
by Harita Omprakash playing only her 2nd international event and the
under 15 title went to Dipika Pallikal, claiming her 2nd title in
2005 after winning the French Junior in Feb.
Anwesha Reddy claimed the 5th place in the Girls u15 losing only to
team mate Dipika.
All girls train at the India Cements Squash academy in Chennai.
While the path to the no 1 positions were not all that easy the
INDIAN too made short work of their opponents winning the finals in
straight games.
We now look forward to the next tournament and have great
expectations and hopes that the second one would be as good as the
first.
The link for the tournament is
www.squashsa.asn.au
Girls u-13
R 1- Harita Omprakash beat Kathryn Cousins(SA) -
9-0,9-0,9-0
QF- Harita Omprakash beat Alyssa Mcimerney(SA) -
9-7,9-0,9-0
SF- Harita Omprakash beat Crystal Tahata (NZ) -
9-7,10-8,9-10,9-5
Finals - Harita Ompraksh beat Moana Mclelland (NZ) -
9-7,9-3,9-6
Girls u-15
R 1- Dipika Pallikal (bye)
Anwesha Reddy (bye)
R 2- Dipika Pallikal beat Cassie Reilly (WA) -9-0,9-1,9-2
Anwesha Reddy beat Catherine Carlson (NZ) -9-0,9-1,9-3
QF- Dipika Pallikal beat Anwesha Reddy -9-6,9-1,9-3
SF- Dipika Pallikal beat Lana Harrison (NZ) -9-4,9-1,9-4
Finals - Dipika Pallikal beat Zoe Petrovansky (QLD) -
9-1,9-2,9-6
5th - 8th place - Anwesha Reddy beat Mikayla Maricic(WA)
-9-3,9-0,5-9,9-4
5th -6th place - Anwesha Reddy beat Grazia Gudia ((VIC)
9-2,9-4,9-0
|
England, 21-Apr:
SAD END TO OUR SQUASH CLUB
Some readers will know of the very sad demise of Frome
Squash Club, essentially to make way for more housing (see
shorts #1)
It has existed in Adderwell Road for nearly 40 years and has
been a gem of a sports facility, largely ignored save for
the many who have passed through to play squash.
The club has been hanging by a knife edge for a number of
years. The owners of the site were asked for a stay of
execution to allow for the fact that Westbury Homes is some
way off developing the Cuprinol site.
It has to be said that the owners have been quite
philanthropic over the years but at the end had the
requisite merciless streak.
Frome has now lost a very valuable sports facility which has
no comparison. The fact it catered for several junior
England players has gone ignored. The fact that it catered
for several schools and other children has also been
ignored.
Little effort was made to determine how such a facility
should be replaced. Less sports facilities and yet more
housing.
Mendip District Council has absolved itself of
responsibility by remarking that all the Section 106 monies
were allocated to affordable housing and there were other
plans for a similar facility in Frome which were a
non-starter.
All very ironic considering the agreed need for children in
particular to take up sport and the current political clap
trap about health and the drain on the NHS of unhealthy
people.
Welcome to fat Frome.
MAX DELLWHITE
Tytherington
Somerset Standard |
Pakistan, 23-Apr
Pakistan Open
Back On
The Pakistan Open Squash Championship will be held in
Karachi from 22 July to 29 July 2005, with a $65,000 prize
fund.
James Willstrop wins 2004 event |
|
Germany,
21-Apr:
Olympic Sports to be put to the Vote
Each of the 28 sports in the Summer Olympics will be put to a
vote in July when the IOC decides whether to make changes in
the program for the 2012 Games.
The International Olympic Committee finalized the procedures
Wednesday for the vote, which will be held when the general
assembly meets in Singapore.
The IOC is considering whether to drop any of the existing 28
sports and add any of the five sports hoping to get into the
Olympics golf, rugby, karate, squash and roller sports.
No sport has been cut from the Summer Olympics since polo in
1936.
 IOC
president Jacques Rogge maintains the Olympics must continue
to have a maximum 28 sports, 301 medal events and 10,500
athletes. No new sport will be added unless one is dropped.
"We can have no more than 28 sports, but there is no
obligation to have 28," Rogge said Wednesday. "We could end up
with 26 or 27."
Under the system adopted Wednesday by the IOC executive board,
IOC members will vote by secret ballot July 8 on each of the
28 sports contested in Athens last summer. The IOC has 117
eligible voting delegates.
To stay on the program, a sport must receive a simple majority
of 51 percent. Any sport failing to get a majority will be
dropped for 2012.
If one or more sports go out, the IOC executive board will
meet later on July 8 to decide which of the five sports on the
waiting list should be proposed for admission. The next day,
the IOC assembly will vote by secret ballot on whether to
accept the new sport.
A two-thirds majority is required to be admitted as an Olympic
sport. That would be followed by a simple majority vote for
official inclusion in the 2012 program.
In 2002, Rogge proposed that baseball, softball and modern
pentathlon be removed, and golf and rugby added. But IOC
members resisted and no vote was taken.
The IOC is now carrying out a review of all sports after each
Olympics.
ESPN Sports News |
|
Malaysia,
24-Apr:
Big turnout for squash programme
By Y.P. SIVAM
THERE was a surprising big turnout for the Ultimate Squasher's
junior squash introductory programme held at the National Squash
Centre in Bukit Jalil
About 100 students, aged from five to 17, turned up for the two-hour
programme headed by former three-time Asian Junior champion Sandra
Wu and Singapore former Asian Games bronze medallist Della Lee.
Current internationals Sally Looi and Lim Yoke Wah also took a break
from their training schedule to share their experiences with the
newcomers. Another former international, Choong Wai Li, was also
present to help her former teammates.
Wu, who last played for Malaysia in the 1998 Commonwealth Games,
said they hoped to see more youngsters involved in squash.
“We were quite surprised by the response from young kids. Another
refreshing factor was the presence of parents and teachers.
“Parents stayed back to watch the day's proceedings. Looking at the
positive feedback from the parents and teachers, we can easily
expect about 50% of the participants to take up squash.
“Our ambition is to see squash become as popular as badminton in
Malaysia,” said Wu.
Metro KL |
Pakistan, 19-Apr:
Pakistan may shelve
Women's tournament plans
Pakistan Squash Federation [PSF] is considering shelving plans of
hosting an international women’s tournament in the country this
fall, a PSF official said on Sunday.
 Wing
Cmdr Zulfiqar Ahmed, Secretary PSF says that the PSF might
give up the idea of hosting a world ranking women’s event as it
might not be of much benefit for local players.
"Our girls still lag far behind female squash players from most
other countries and that is why holding an international tournament
at this stage might be too early," said Zulfiqar.
The PSF had announced their plans last month to host a Women’s
International Squash Players Association [WISPA] tournament worth
around US$5000 this year. The PSF said they would stage the
WISPA-sanctioned event in Wah sometimes in September or October this
year. If held, it would have been the first ever WISPA event in
Pakistan.
To a question, Zulfiqar said that a recent incident in Gujranwala
where a marathon was disrupted by extremist groups because of the
participation of women had nothing to do with the second thoughts
the federation is now having about the holding of the proposed WISPA
tournament.
Though Pakistan’s female squash players compete in both national and
international events wearing t-shirts and sports pants, the dress
code at the international level makes short skirts mandatory for
participating players.
But Zulfiqar said that unlike a marathon, squash tournaments are
played in closed venues where an international event can be
conducted smoothly.
He said that the main reason why Pakistan might delay plans to host
an international women’s tournament is because the country presently
does not have any world-class player.
"Without any good players, it would be a futile exercise to hold an
international tournament for women here," he said.
Pakistan Times |
Squash
SHORTS
News extracts from around
the world ... |
Issue 4
w/e 17-Apr-05 |
MUMBAI, India, 15-Apr:
Making of a champ
By Pradeep Vijayakar
How does one make a world champ? Simple, by engaging people who have
been associated with other world champs. Satinder Bajwa was
manager of Jansher Khan during his heyday. Now he is churning out
champions at Harvard where a bright young Indian, Siddharth Suchde,
is their leading player.
Anjan Chinappa, father of British Junior Open under-19 girls
champion Joshna is not relying on history repeating itself --
British junior champs also winning the world junior champs -- NIcole
David, Omenya, among others.
 The
father thought it best to send Joshna to train with Bajwa five
months ahead of the World Juniors in Belgium where she could be the
top seed. Joshna made history when being the first Indian girl to
win the British Junior Open title in January. She had won the
under-17 earlier to emulate Anil Nayar who had won the Drysdale Cup
in 1964. Saurav Ghoshal also joined the elite club when claiming the
boys under-19 title in 2004.
Joshna met Indian sports minister Sunil Dutt on April 15. Through
the good offices of Mahendra Agarwal of Indian Squash Professionals,
Dutt released a sum of Rs five lakhs for training for Joshna
Chinappa.
So how was it training a budding champ, one asked Satinder Bajwa.
Excerpts from the interview:
What are requirements of a good coach?
Just like a player under match conditions, the coach has to be
instinctive under coaching conditions.
 What
do you do when elite calibre players like Joshna Chinappa come to
you?
I adjust the flow based on the day. This is determined by many
factors such as fatigue, particular needs, attitude on the day,
day-to-day morale. All these things determine the outlook of a
particular session on any given day.
What areas does Joshna need to work on?
She has abundant skills but she needs to work on all the basics.
What I mean is that she finds it easy to play, it becomes hard for
her to grasp why she would need the basics. However, through many
discussions and mutual evaluation ... a big part if a coach wants
the co-operation of his player ... we are at a stage where she is
making great strides.
Can you specify in which areas?
I think her focus, movement, speed, diet and recovery.
Are you happy with the job done?
One needs a minimum of three months to lay down a good foundation
and develop an understanding with one another. With Joshna at
Harvard only for a month, I am also focusing on her ongoing
progression that can keep her heading in the right direction once
she leaves here.
Pradeep Vijayakar |
Barbados, 14-Apr:
Parris & Cumbernatch sweep all before
them
Reigning Caribbean Under-15 girls champion, Cheri-Ann
Parris, and five-time Caribbean junior title holder,
Bryant Cumberbatch, swept all before them to claim two
titles each as the curtain came down on the Sagicor General
Junior National Championships at the Barbados Squash
Club (BSC).
Fourteen-year-old Cheri-Ann Parris had already won the girls
Under-15 title the previous day by beating Tanya Marshall
without dropping a game, but it was in the Under-19 age
group final that she really showed the audience her true
class by comprehensively outplaying her rival, Nadia
McCarthy, in three straight games.
The boys Under-19 final was no less intriguing. The top seed
and defending champion, Rhett Cumberbatch, faced his younger
brother and #2 seed Bryant in yet another age group final.
The final three points in both of these games were won in a
single hand by the confident Bryant who triumphed 7/9 9/7
9/4 9/5 in 42 minutes. Alex Jordan finished third and Alex
Garcia fourth in this age group.
Barbados Advocate
|
|
Borneo,
12-Apr:
UBD Squash Champions
Hj Mohd Noor Hj Abdul Rahman emerged as champion in
the Male Students category as he came back from a set down to
defeat Darlin Sia 3-1 in the UBD Squash Championship 2005
Finals at UBD Sports Complex
Borneo Bulletin |
|
Isle of
Man, 13-Apr:
Thornton takes Manx Title
AN enforced retirement to top seed and defending champion Dave
Norman was the major shock of last week's 18th Trident Trust
Isle of Man Squash Championship.
At two games up versus Mike Gardener, Norman pulled out to
leave the men's competition wide open.
Sean Keefe faced another local resident Hamish
Thornton in the final in front of a packed gallery. Some
of the week's best play was seen in this tussle with Thornton
winning the first two games 15-9.
With the crowd behind him, Keefe forced Thornton to dig deep
as 12-12 was reached in the third. At 14-13 Keefe was unlucky
not to force set point but his adversary held his nerve to
take the championship.
A total of 48 players took part in the championships, with
eight lining up in the women's event.
Isabell Klose was always the favourite after finding
her feet following an injury a few months ago, and true to
form she reached Saturday's final to face Wendy Hogan.
Following a tough week for Hogan in the mixed competition,
fatigue set in and Klose took the first two games 15-3 15-6.
Despite a lift from the crowd, Hogan could not strike back in
the third with Klose winning 15-12 and sealing the title.
Isle of Man Today
|
|
Pakistan,
12-Apr:
Bilal & Sara take Pakistan U19 Titles
Pakistan Air Force’s Bilal Zaman won the Under-19 title
of the National Junior Squash Championship defeating Farzan
Rasheed of Punjab 9-2, 9-3, 9-5 at the PSA Complex here on
Monday.
Bilal displayed mid court play with lovely drop shots and
accurate placing returning some difficult balls from the back
parts of the court.
The Under-17 title went to Sohaib Hasan of Punjab who
ousted Alamzeb of PAF in the longest battle of the day in 79
minutes with a score line of 9-6, 7-9, 6-9, 9-5, 9-5.
Waqar Mahboob from PAF claimed the Under-15 title
giving a squash lesson to Asif Khan also from PAF 9-3, 9-2,
9-0 in just 20 minutes.
Danish Atlas from PAF won the Under-13 title beating Awais
Rehman of Punjab in the shortest match which lasted just 18
minutes. The score was 9-1, 9-2, 9-4.
In the girls, Sara Awan of Punjab crowned herself with
the Under-19 title defeating Zaiba Pervez 9-1, 9-2, 9-6 in 27
minutes.
Anna Batool won the Under-15 title overcoming Aniqa Awan
10-8, 9-7, 3-9, 9-4 in 34 minutes in an all-Punjab final.
Rifat Khan outplayed Samar Anjum 9-6, 9-3, 7-9, 9-0 in the
Under-13 final in 20 minutes
Pakistan Daily Times |
|
New Delhi, India, 15-Apr:
Joshna sets eyes on
world junior squash title
 Asian
Junior Squash champion Joshna Chinappa today said she was
fully confident and prepared to give her best shot to clinch the
World Junior title to be held in Belgium in July.
"I am fully confident and geared up for the world junior
championship. I will start favourite as I am currently the world
number one junior player," Joshna said, after receiving Rs 3 lakh
cash award from Union Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Sunil
Dutt, here today.
 Dutt
congratulated Joshna for her achievements and wished her good luck
for the world junior title. "Work hard and win more laurels for the
country," the Sports Minister told Joshna while handing over cash
award.
The Sports Ministry had earlier given her Rs 3.07 lakh for her
month-long training expenses in Boston.
The 17-year-old girl from Chennai said she was extremely happy to
earn the award and this would give her more confidence for future
tournaments.
"My immediate aim is to win the World Junior title. My next aim is
to clinch gold in the Asian Games in Doha and Commonwealth Games in
Australia," Joshna said, adding, that her ultimate ambition was to
win the world senior title.
"A squash player is at her peak when she is around 24-25. So I have
another 7-8 years left to get to the top," she noted.
The Hindu
Joshna with Indian National Coach Cyrus Poncha |
Pakistan, 15-Apr:
40m Rs for Pakistan Squash
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on Thursday approved a
grant of Rs 40 million for the establishment of three world class
squash facilities in Karachi, Quetta and Rawalpindi.
 He
made this announcement while addressing junior squash players at
Prime Minister’s House where he gave cash prizes of Rs 10,000 each
to the 16 players and awarded them with appreciation certificates in
recognition of their outstanding performance during the last two
years.
“Squash has been the glory of Pakistan and you have to work hard to
achieve that glory again. You are our future as the juniors of today
are the seniors of tomorrow,” he commented.
He said Pakistan dominated world squash just after the independence
and the game brought recognition for Pakistan. But he regretted that
today Pakistan was nowhere in the game after Jahangir Khan and
Jansher Khan.
He said: “You have to work hard to fill the gap created after the
retirement of these two great players. One thing I can assure you:
nothing is impossible in this world provided you are committed to
the cause. Hard work is the key to success.”
He said that the government was offering monetary incentives so that
retired players could also explore coaching opportunities abroad.
Pakistan Daily Times |
St Vincent & Grenadines, 13-Apr:
Vincy squash players do well
in Trinidad & Tobago
 As
the 2005 Vita Malt Junior Open came to a close in Trinidad,
an eight-member Vincentian contingent returned home with one gold,
two silver and one bronze medals.
The tournament featured top players from Barbados, St. Vincent
and the Grenadines and hosts Trinidad and Tobago.
In the Boys Under-15 division, 12-year-old Andrez Bascombe found the
goings tough in a higher age group, losing in straight games to
Trinidadians Kevin Ross and Jean-Paul Bones.
Meanwhile, No. 2 seed Diarra Venner cruised to the final, defeating
Trinidad’s Stephan Jeffrey and Kale Wilson 9/2, 9/7, 9/0 and 9/2,
9/2, 9/3 respectively. Venner then met his match, when he was pitted
against nemesis and top-seeded Justin Sanguinette of Trinidad. Hopes
of an upset were thrashed, as Sanguinette handled his rival with a
9/1, 9/3, 9/3 victory.
On the distaff side, the Vincentian trio of Amber Glasgow, Aiko
Roudette and Sherina Slater battled for top spots in the Girls
Under-17 division against Trinidadians Amy Gillezeau and Emily
Bones.
The Vincentian |
Squash
SHORTS
News extracts from around
the world ... |
Issue 3
w/e 10-Apr-05 |
England, 08-Apr:
SQUASH HONOUR FOR RONNIE
 EVERGREEN
Carlisle squash star Ronnie Bell has been honoured for giving
more than 30 years of service to the sport in Cumbria.
Bell, 52, has received the inaugural Hazel Tait Cumbria Squash
Personality of the Year award for his efforts in helping to
develop the sport throughout the region.
Bell, who regularly makes the Carlisle squash club facilities
available for county use, played in the England over-50 team last
season and is now formally qualified as a level four coach.
He has been hard at work since January to get the city’s squash club
back in decent condition after the
devastating floods and Cumbria Squash chairman Tom Armstrong
said: “This honour for Ronnie is well overdue but this is a very
appropriate, meaningful and excellent way of saying thank you to
him.
Cumbria News & Star |
India,
05-Apr:
Raj Manchanda in squash Hall of Fame
Pradeep Vijayakar from Mumbai
To India's oil giant Bharat Petroleum goes the credit of
instituting India's first hall of fame.
Six-time national squash champion Brig. (retd) Raj
Manchanda was on Sunday inducted into the first-ever Speed
93 Hall of Fame. ``I thought I was history,'' said Manchanda
at a function on April 3 at Otters Club. The Indian champ from
1978-83 known for his courtcraft was recently appointed the
government observer for squash. Another to be included was
Fali Madon, the finest player not to win an Indian national
title.
"Injuries prevented me from playing in three nationals in my
prime. Anil Nayar was the champ then. At a CCI final in 1973,
I came within one point of beating him in the decider,'' was
how Madon explained his claim to fame.
Three other players included were not present. They were
US-based Anil Nayar who won the national title at the age of
18 in 1964 and first Indian Drysdale Cup winner; Adrian Ezra
who won the junior and senior title at 17 and Meherwan
Daruwala who won the men's between 1983-87.
The squash greats were presented with a silver salvers by
chief guest, S. Ramesh (General Manager, Retail Strategy,
Bharat Petroleum). The whole idea was conceived and executed
by Professional Management Group, the event management compnay
owned by Sunil Gavaskar and Sumed Shah.
|
|
UK, 07-Apr:
UK Coaching trio launch New Squash
Academy
Coaching trio John Milton, Paul Selby and
Mike Varney are set to launch their new Squash Academy
based at Harlow Sportcentre Essex.
The academy will focus on strengthening the talent base
around the surrounding counties and look to increase
participation in the sport and support local clubs by
linking the academy to junior programmes already in place.
Co founder Paul Selby spoke of his desire to see this
academy grow and offer a focal point for Squash players in
providing a base with an extra tier of coaching to ones
already available. The Academy would also act as a base for
full time professionals which will give the academy a supply
of players to run either a National League or Super League
team next season.
The two other founders Mike Varney and John Milton bring
with them vast amounts of experience both in the coaching
fields but also in the fitness and physiotherapy side. John
having run successfully the Prospects group of professional
players from Broxbourne Squash including a winning National
League side.
Presently the Swedish National Coach he has helped elevate
Swedish Squash to new levels. The academy will help give a
UK base to Swedish players hoping to break through onto the
professional stage. Mike is a trained physiotherapist having
spent a successful period with Tottenham Hotspur FC where he
introduced squash to quite a few of the household names of
the day such as Glenn Hoddle, Ray Clemence and Garth Crooks
amongst others.
His passion for the game has extended in recent times to
help guide Sue Wright to the top of the professional game
where she reached a world ranking of 3. All three are keen
to pool their resources to fill a gap where the elite side
of the game has grown apart from its roots and the recent
lack of success in some areas by the England National teams
is hopefully a trend that can be reversed and the Academy
can work together with England Squash and other partners to
strengthen the base of the game once more.
Anyone who is interested in learning more about the academy
can email
info@uksquash.co.uk |
|
Malaysia, 09-Apr:
Chuah to train overseas ...
 Malaysian
number three squash player Tricia Chuah can look forward to
an overseas training stint in September if she can break into the
top 50 of the world rankings by the middle of this year.
The 22-year-old Kuala Lumpur lass, is currently ranked 54th.
The Squash Rackets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) executive
director, Wong Ah Jit, said that they wanted to have five women
players on overseas attachments by next year.
“At the moment we only have two players Nicol (David) and Sharon
(Wee) training overseas. We hope Tricia can break into the top 50
soon,” said Ah Jit.
“If Tricia manages to achieve the target by the middle of this year
then she will go to Holland, Belgium or England in September.”
World number four and national number one Nicol is training in
Amsterdam under former world number one Liz Irving while national
number two Sharon, who is ranked 24th, is training under Shaun
Moxham in Antwerp.
The Star Online |
Islamabad, 07-Apr:
Pakistanis denied Swiss visas
The Switzerland Embassy in Islamabad has refused visas to three
young Pakistani players who wanted to participate in the $10,675
Losone Open Squash Tournament to be played in Loson, Switzerland
from April 12 to 17. The players who have been refused visas are
Farrukh Zaman, Aamir Atlas and Farhan Mehboob.
Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) secretary Zulfiqar Ahmed said the
players applied for visas through a proper channel. “The embassy
officials also conducted interviews of the players on Wednesday and
asked them to collect their passports next day. But when they
collected their passports there were no visas,” he added.
Zulfiqar said he had taken up the matter with the Professional
Squash Association (PSA), the governing body of the international
squash events. “The PSA has assured us that it will look into the
matter. The visa refusal to our players, who have already visited
European and Asian countries for important international events, has
really disappointed the young players,” he maintained.
Daily Times |
USA, 06-Apr:
Move Over Soccer ...
Racket sport gains popularity among youngsters
Like soccer once did or cricket still does, squash is one of those
sports that exists on the periphery of American athletics. But
that's changing at one Bethesda gym.
When Connie Barnes began her job as Bethesda Sport and
Health's resident squash pro three years ago, the gym had about 40
squash players. Now it has 200.
Players start as young as 7, and squash is a sport Barnes said she'd
like to encourage more youngsters to try.
"I want to get them around soccer age," she said, explaining that
squash can become a habitual Saturday morning activity much as
soccer has. She hopes by getting them interested young and showing
them the fun in the sport, she'll create a new generation of
devotees.
"It's not just bashing a ball," Barnes said during one recent break
from afternoon lessons. "You have to think strategically -- it's
extremely physically and intellectually challenging."
Maryland Gazette
|
Cayman Islands, 07-Apr:
Boost for Cayman Squash
Appleby Spurling Hunter (ASH) has confirmed its commitment to
supporting squash in the Cayman Islands by agreeing to sponsor the
grand re–opening of the South Sound Squash Club taking place
June 4.
The Cayman Island’s National team competing at the Junior Caribbean
Squash Championships. This event, taking place July 21 to 31, is to
be held in Trinidad & Tobago.
The Cayman Island’s National team competing at the Senior Caribbean
Squash Championships. This event, taking place August 6 to 13, is to
be held in Bermuda.
“When approached by Dean Watson, South Sound Squash Club Manager and
National Team Coach, the firm had no hesitation in agreeing to
continue its association with the game. We are delighted to be
supporting the game at the grass roots here in Cayman as well as
enabling our top athletes to compete at the highest level on the
international stage,” said Appleby’s Marketing Manager, Matt Duggan.
“We look forward to celebrating the re–opening of South Sound Squash
Club and wish all of those representing the Cayman Islands in the
Junior and Senior Caribbean Championships every success,” said
Appleby’s Managing Partner, Mr Huw Moses.
Caymanian Compass |
Squash
SHORTS
News extracts from around
the world ... |
Issue 2
w/e 03-Apr-05 |
England, 31-Mar:
Harrogate take Yorkshire Title
HARROGATE Squash Club have won the Powerplay Yorkshire Premiership
for the first time.
Needing only three games to take the title, 'Gate finished the
season in style, beating Hallamshire 3-2 in Sheffield - taking 11
games just to make sure of the silverware.
Harrogate's title success broke the trend of victories by Pontefract
and Wigginton in recent seasons; and now the side aim to round off
their best season by winning the Yorkshire Cup to take a memorable
double.
The third game which triggered title success came from the racket of
Philip Barker when he captured a two game to one lead in his match
against Darryl Selby.
The first of the three vital games had been taken by Adam Nowakowski
in the second game of his winning encounter over Mick Stead.
Skipper Paul Hornsby couldn't hide his delight.
"It's absolutely fantastic," he told.
"It started sinking in that we could really win it last week. It
wasn't sudden elation. It was just gradual. Now the more I think
about it the more superb it is.
"We have had a tremendous bunch of players who were easy to organise
and dedicated to the cause. They certainly didn't just turn up for
the money."
Harrogate now await a date for their Yorkshire Cup semi-final clash
against Queen's, Halifax, when they will bid for a place in the
final at Pontefract on April 27. The other semi is between
Pontefract and Heaton.
Harrogate are planning a championship celebration at the club but
cannot fix a date until they get their hands on the trophy.
"It's going to be quite a night," promised Hornsby, who admitted
victory over Hallamshire was not achieved easily.
Hornsby had planned to be first on court in a bid to secure the
three games needed to become champions.
Harrogate Squash are the champions
Harrogate Today
England, 30-Mar:
'Home of squash'
faces demolition
THE "HOME of Squash" is set to be demolished to make way for a
nine-storey block of flats.
Lambs Squash Club, in Lamb's Passage, Finsbury, is considered the
squash equivalent of Wimbledon.
It has nine courts and around 1,400 members, and ex-world champion
Jahangir Khan has described it as the "best club I have ever played
at" and the "most famous squash club in the world".
It was opened in 1979 by former British squash star Mike Corby and
is the flagship club in a chain of 14.
But Mr Corby is about to retire and sold the freehold for the site
for £4million in September.
Now developers Clan Real Estate have revealed plans to knock down
the centre at the end of the year and replace it with a nine-storey
block of flats and office units.
Members have launched a campaign to save the club, which will be
left homeless if the proposal goes ahead. Objectors have until April
7 to to contact Islington Council's planning department.
Lambs Squash Club member Ken Pottinger, 57, who is organising the
campaign, said: "We mustn't allow the club to be destroyed. All the
world-famous squash players have played there. It is one of the
oldest sports clubs in London and home to many world famous
players."
The members are calling on Islington Council to turn down Clan Real
Estate's planning application. So far 29 official letters of
objection have been sent to the planning department.
Club member Tariq Tahir added: "It is the spiritual home of the
game. Members are very upset about it."
Councillor Bridget Fox (Liberal Democrat), Islington's executive
member for sustainability, said: "I'm aware a planning application
has been submitted to the council to develop a building in Lambs
Passage. As with all planning applications all residents, businesses
and community groups will be able to have their say and if residents
feel strongly I would encourage them to take this chance."
"When this comes to committee, councillors will have to decide not
only whether the proposals meet planning guidance but also if they
are acceptable for the community as a whole.
'Home of squash' faces demolition
Islington Gazette
|
|
New Zealand,
30-Mar:
Shuja close to Melbourne
Selection
Former Pakistan squash representative Kashif Shuja has
overcome a key hurdle to representing New Zealand at next year's
Melbourne Commonwealth Games.
Pakistan has granted Shuja, who moved to New Zealand in 2002,
permission to turn out for his adopted country.
Shuja, 25, qualified to play for New Zealand under WSF rules when he
gained citizenship last month.
However, he still needed clearance from Pakistan, which he
represented at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.
Squash New Zealand today said the Pakistan Olympic Association had
sent a letter to its New Zealand counterpart confirming that the
Pakistan Squash Federation had no objection.
The WSF was now expected to give the final stamp of approval to
Shuja's change of allegiance.
Shuja's present world ranking of 58 makes him New Zealand's highest
ranked player, ahead of Callum O'Brien at No 65.
He walked away from squash after the 1998 Commonwealth Games, but
returned to the sport on arriving in New Zealand.
He is currently playing part-time on the world circuit but has said
he intended playing full-time next year, when making the world top
10 was a major goal.
Shuja closer to
selection for Melbourne
New Zealand Herald |
Czech Republic, 30-Mar:
1-2-3 Squash
As one of the world's most popular racket sports, squash is an
excellent way to get in shape, improve your eye-hand coordination,
reflexes, agility, and general cardio-vascular condition.
WHEN IT COMES to winning the game, instructions of technique and
strategy could fill entire books (and have). For the sake of this
article, we'll concentrate on factors that will help you maximize
performance while minimizing the risk of injury.
The article, by Todd F. Shaw, goes on to describe Rackets,
Shoes, Clothing, and has interviews with two Czech businessmen
squash players ...
One, two, three, Squash!
The Prague Tribune |
Pakistan,
28-Mar:
Mansoor wins All Pakistan NWFP Squash Cup
PESHAWAR: Top seed Mansoor Zaman defeated Farrukh Zaman
3-2 to clinch the All-Pakistan NWFP Squash Cup at the Pakistan Air
Force (PAF) Hashim Khan Squash Complex here on Monday.
Mansoor and Farrukh Zaman enthralled the audience with their
spirited game as both stretched to a five-set encounter which lasted
for 77 minutes. It was not an easy victory for Mansoor as he faced a
tough resistance from Farrukh Zaman. Both Mansoor and Farrukh
adopted attacking strategies with some fine cross courts shots
smashing nick shots, forehand and back drives.
Mansoor took the first set 14-12. Both tried their hard for a single
point as the set was tied at 5-5, 6-6, 7-7, 8-8, 9-9, 10-10, 11-11
and 12-12. Mansoor won 14-12. Farrukh came back strongly winning the
third and fourth sets 7-11 and 9-11 to level the tally at 2-2. The
match was supervised by Jamshed Gul and Mehboob Khan.
Mansoor wins All
Pakistan NWFP Squash Cup
Daily Times |
Spain/Portugal:
PANDA SQUASH
An innovative way of attracting new young players to squash is under
way on the Iberian Peninsula ... Panda Squash.
Part of a children's TV series to be shown in Spain and Portugal in
April, initial filming took place in March with a host of
enthusiastic youngsters - and seniors - loving their opportunity to
get on court with the Panda.
Further updates to follow ...
 |
More photos & Video |
Egypt, 30-Mar:
EGYPTIAN STARS
IN CHARITY MATCH
Reeme Mansi reports from Cairo
 Thursday
31st March sees a charity fund-raising match between Egypt's two
world top ten players, Amr Shabana (aka 'The Prince of
Egypt') and Karim Darwish ... former world open and world
junior champions.
 Featuring
a 'lightning round', an exhibition and the 'match against cancer',
the event will provide a feast of squash for fans at at Cairo
International stadium.
The event is an ideal warm-up for the Egyptian National
Championships, which start on the 7th April, and will be held at
the at Alexandria Sporting Club in Alexandria.
Previous championships have been held at Cairo Stadium, which has
five courts, but the Alexandia's Club's recently renovated 12 courts
will provide a great setting for the championships. |
 |
Squash
SHORTS
News extracts from around
the world ... |
Issue 1
w/e
27-Mar-05 |
Brunei, 27-Mar:
Princess Bags Youth
Squash 2005 Crown
Bandar Seri Begawan – Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran
Anak Isteri Pengiran Anak Sarah won the Invitational Youth
Squash Championship 2005 held yesterday at the National Squash
Centre in Berakas.
The tournament began Monday, March 21.
Her Royal Highness Paduka Seri Pengiran Anak Sarah defeated
Jormasnidah Jormasie from the Duli Pengiran Muda Al-Muhtadee Billah
College with three games to one.
Her Royal Highness also won the Most Promising Player prize.
Prizes were presented by Pehin Dato Dr Haji Awang Hussain, Minister
of Culture, Youth and Sports.
Princess Bags Youth Squash 2005
Crown Bru
Direct |
USA,
26-Mar:
Sports writers to honor Yale, Trinity
squash teams
The Connecticut Sports Writers Alliance will honor the Trinity
men's squash team and Yale women's squash team, both national
collegiate champions, at the 64th Gold Key Dinner on April 17
at the Aqua Turf Club in Southington.
Trinity won its seventh straight title this past winter in
men's squash, while Yale won its second consecutive national
title.
Sports writers to honor Yale,
Trinity squash teams
Newsday |
USA, 25-Mar:
Portlander wins national squash
championships
Julian Illingworth
says a weight has been lifted off his shoulders.
And he was the one who lifted it.
The Portland native and former Lincoln High soccer player
became the No. 1 squash player in the country last week,
winning the U.S. national championship at Harvard University.
“I’d been knocking on the door for a couple years, so it’s
pretty relieving,” says Illingworth, a 21-year-old Yale
junior.
He is the first amateur and first collegian to win the
tournament.
Yale coach David Talbott calls him a “fabulous athlete who
works really hard at his game, practicing twice a day — an
unassuming kid who gets better and better every year.”
Portlander wins national squash
championships
Portland Tribune |
England,
24-Mar:
HOUSES SWALLOW SQUASH CLUB SITE
Frome Squash Club is to close after 27 years in the town. The
club house will close on April 16 and is to be demolished as
part of a major redevelopment of the nearby Cuprinol site.
The building was converted into seven squash courts and now
has a multi-gym, aerobics room, sauna and bar. At its height
the club had more than 700 members.
One of the founder members is Norman Baldwin, who is now a
club coach.
He said: "It has always been a very family-orientated club and
we have coached national champions."
The club has been part of the Avon, Somerset and Wiltshire
squash leagues but membership has dwindled to about 80 members
over the past few years because of the threat to the club.
"At the end of the day if the owners choose to demolish the
building there is nothing that the district council can do
about it."
Houses Swallow Squash Club Site
Somerset Standard |
New Zealand, 23-Mar:
Former champion keen
to boost numbers
Squash in Hawke's Bay has a huge potential in its junior ranks
but the code needs to roll up its sleeves to rally long and
hard in the game of marketing to boost membership.
That's the verdict of Rachel Monks, 24, the Squash Eastern
development manager who on March 8 resigned from her position
to start up her private business in web-designing and
marketing in Napier.
The former under-19 Auckland champion is still involved with
the squash organisation in the interim until a replacement is
found. She has organised a coaching clinic for coaches at the
Hawke's Bay Squash
Former
champion keen to boost number
Hawkes Bay Today |
Pakistan, 19-Mar:
Sara Wins National Title
Sara Awan of Pakistan Army defeated Maria Toor Pakay of NWFP
3-2 to win the National Women’s Squash Championship at POF Wah
Squash Complex on Saturday.
Former Pakistan squash star Jahangir Khan, now the President
of World Squash Federation, was the chief guest on the
occasion and gave away the winners’ trophy to Sara Awan. Also
present on the occasion was the Senior Vice President of
Pakistan Squash Federation Air Marshal Raashid Kaleem.
Sara wins women’s squash title
Daily Times |
Pakistan, 15-Mar:
Pakistan Squash gets its
first woman
referee
Nadia Aziz is slated to create a history in Pakistan by
refereeing in a squash match during the National Women's
Championship to be held in Wah on March 16.
Former squash player Nadia would be the first Pakistani women
squash referee and would oversee the league matches of the
championship.
"We want to encourage ladies for referring job and as such
have offered the new role to Nadia," The News quoted Zulfikhar
Ahmad, secretary Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) as saying.
Squash
gets its first woman referee in Pakistan:
New Kerala |
|
Pakistan, 26-Mar:
NWFP chalks out ambitious
plan to promote squash
By Ashfaq Yusufzai
PESHAWAR: With a view to develop squash at the grassroot level, the
NWFP Squash Association has chalked out an ambitious plan to hold
junior and senior men's and women's tournaments at the district
level throughout the province this year.
"Separate squash courts for female players will be constructed in
Peshawar and the services of female coaches would be hired", said,
Ghulam Hussain, president NWFP Squash Association after chairing the
general council's meeting of the association on Saturday.
Besides, secretary of the association, former world champion Qamar
Zaman, joint secretary Rukhsana Rajput, former world champion
Jansher Khan and former world number 2, Mohibullah Khan were also
present on the occasion.
He said that conditions of the existing squash courts in various
districts of the province were also being improved.
NWFP chalks out ambitious plan to promote squash
Dawn |
Abu Dhabi, 24-Mar:
Abu Dhabi Squash Open
goes international
The Abu Dhabi Squash Open goes international with the inclusion of a
PSA (Professional Squash Players Association) ranking tournament set
to draw some of the budding young professionals in the world
circuit.
The PSA event is a new addition to the capital’s championship that
is set to draw over 150 entries in the super division, first and
second divisions, and juniors U-13, U-17 and U-19, both singles and
doubles.
Dr Tina Pavlova, chairperson of the Abu Dhabi Squash Racquets
Association and spa-recreation manager of Le Meridien, said this
year’s Abu Dhabi Open is elevated by the inclusion of the PSA event.
“We have been working on the development of squash and the PSA
tournament is one more forward step to the sport in Abu Dhabi,” she
told reporters in a Press conference here at the Le Meridien
yesterday.
Abu Dhabi Squash Open goes international
Khaleej Times |
USA, 24-Mar:
Episcopal girls tops in squash
The Churchwomen, led by sophomore Logan Greer, won two titles and
finished unbeaten.
The Episcopal Academy girls' squash team is celebrating a perfect
10-0 season, one that was marked by numerous late-match wins that
caused some anxious moments for coaches Demer Holleran and Dawn
Gray.
The Churchwomen not only won the the Inter-Academic League
championship, but the Mid-Atlantic School Association title as well.
"Different individuals repeatedly pulled through in the clutch,"
said Holleran, who conducted the practices and handled much of the
administrative work for the team, while Gray coached during matches.
Episcopal girls tops in squash Philly.com |
USA, 23-Mar:
Quibell adds another
championship
for w. squash
Michelle Quibell '06 and the women's squash team capped off a
spectacular 2004-05 campaign by dominating not as a team, as they
had all season, but as individual players.
The Elis left the Collegiate Squash Association National
Championship with many of their opponents seeing blue, as Quibell
took her second-straight individual national title by beating
Harvard's Kyla Grigg in the Ramsay Cup finals. Other Bulldogs also
found success at Dartmouth, despite having to overcome what captain
Frances Ho '05 described as anti-climatic feelings because the
Bulldogs had already won the Howe Cup.
"Playing individuals is always tough," Ho said. "Everyone stayed
focused and it just showed how dominant and how talented we are. It
was a nice finish."
Quibell adds another championship Yale Daily News |
South Africa, 15-Mar:
SA Squash hosts
important guest
South African Squash hosted a very important guest today. George Mieras, the technical advisor of the World Masters Squash
Federation, visited Cape Town to inspect the courts and facilities
that will be used for the World Masters Championships next year.
After meeting the organising committee this morning, Mieras went on
to inspect the courts of the Western Province Cricket Club and other
venues in the Mother City.
South Africa beat America, New Zealand and the Netherlands to stage
the event in October next year. A record number of more than 800
players are expected to enter for the event. "This is a great
centre. It is the new ESP system, it is well presented. Good
galleries, plenty lighting, I'm very happy. Plus of course the
magnificent quite incomparable outlook onto the mountain which the
masters are going to love," said Mieras.
In the 2003 world championships held in Finland, South Africa won
six gold, three silver and four bronze medals.
SA Squash hosts important guest SABC News |
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