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Malcolm at the British Open
SEMI-FINALS |
Evening Session
Natalie Grinham played well to dispose of Laura
Lengthorn-Massaro, looking fit enough perhaps to cause the
world's leading woman, Nicol David, a problem or two.
That looked a reasonable assumption, but the reality was
another matter. David, who seems to attract unwarranted
criticism in Malaysia when she has the occasional loss, was
in no mood to let anyone sand in the way of her attempt to
regain the British Open title.
Moving well as she always does, her squash was controlled,
varied, and of the highest quality. She set herself up
beautifully, hit straight and precisely and repeatedly left
Grainger stranded with well-struck angles.
In truth it was no contest and David was mightily
impressive. Her evident pleasure, winsome ways and big
smile, added to a class performance make her look a complete
package. She will lose from time to time, as all sportsmen
and women do, but Malaysia should be proud of her.
Jenny Duncalf played as well as I have seen her in beating
Rachael Grinham and she will need a repeat performance in
tonight's final.
From time o time Thierry Lincou seems uncharacteristically
testy on court and tonight was one of those times. He alone
will know why - perhaps the occasion and knowing what was at
stake - the British Open being one of the few championships
he has never won.
The first game was always going to be significant - Lincou
usually a slow starter, Willstrop doubtless aware of that.
It was well contested, the qualify high, but at 6-all the
British Champion broke clear and won it decisively 11/7.
Capitalising on the start Willstrop, moving well, covered
all that Lincou offered and took a 2/0 lead with some ease,
11/3.
Perhaps mindful of recent events when he led 2/0 and lost,
certainly knowing the Frenchman's ability to fight back,
Willstrop maintained his focus and intensity and not looking
at risk, won the match 11/7 to reach his second British Open
final and to continue his spectacular run in 2008.
The final may not include Amr Shabana, the world number one,
or Ramy Ashour, but few will be unhappy at a David Palmer -
James Willstrop matchup. Palmer's British Open record is
remarkable and he will be eager for a fourth win. Willstrop,
yet to win it, conscious of its historic significance, will
be equally determined.
Of the two he looks to be in better form, but Palmer is big
time and will raise his game for sure.
Afternoon Session
It is sometimes difficult for players to back up major wins,
which is what Jenny Duncalf's over Rachael Grinham
certainly was.
With more expectation on her shoulders, Duncalf started
tentatively against the in-form Isabelle Stoehr. The
incisiveness which characterised her win over the world
champion was not there and Stoehr capitalised, converting a
5/1 lead into 9/4.
Settling better, Duncalf took the initiative in the second
game, led 6/1 and won the game comfortable 9/3. She went
clear again in the third, but the Frenchwoman resisted
determinedly before Duncalf won it 9/6.
The fourth was similar with Stoehr battling all the way
until Duncalf clinched the match 9/6. To her credit she had
ground out a win without reaching the previous day's dizzy
heights. Players have to learn the art of winning when they
are not at their best or when things are not going their
way. Duncalf did that against a spirited opponent.
She will, on reflection, e thrilled, as indeed she said she
was, to reach the British Open final. She would have settled
for that at the beginning of the event.
The match, by the way, was further proof of the need for 11
scoring for the women's game.
David Palmer had, despite winning, made
uncharacteristic errors in his match against Amr Shabana,
but taking the first against Karim Darwish, they were
hardly in evidence.
But they reappeared in the second as Darwish gathered
confidence, took control and won it to level the score.
Playing freely now, with the racket skill everyone knows he
has, he moved easily to 8-3 when he slipped in the front
left, buckled and went down heavily.
The signs, as he received treatment, were not good, and a
quick trial movement on his return to the court told him all
he needed to know. He conceded and understandably cast his
racket down in frustration.
You could only feel for him, but it meant that Palmer's
dream of a fourth win remains very much alive.
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David Campion |
A considerable personal
pleasure for me was to have David Campion featuring on
semi-finals day at the Echo Arena.
Having coached him from the first time he hit a squash all
at the age of 7, having predicted that he would play for
England after his first lesson, it was rewarding to see his
unusual gifts with a racket again.
Belonging to the golden England era of Peter Marshall, Simon
Parke and himself, he reached the final of the World U19 in
Paderborn, beat several world top 20 players immediately,
but injuries prevented him from fulfilling wwhat was certain
to be a successful playing career.
Happily coaching has become his life and he is a key member
o England's coaching staff. Nevertheless it was good to see
him back on a big stage and good for many people who have
never seen his talent. His touch, easy racket and subtlety
set him apart from the ordinary.
His post-match interview emphasised, to, his ability to
speak lucidly about the game he clearly loves.
He beat Simon Frenz of Germany 3/0 in some style and it will
be good to watch him in action again in the final against
Steve Richardson.
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28-Apr08:
English Prospects Look Good
The young Egyptian players - it used to be Pakistanis too, but they
seem to have lost some direction - are much publicised and it seems
only right that the success of young English players should be
acknowledged.
 Tom
Richards, after a long injury has come back in style and his
recent win over Julian Illingworth, who has also been achieving
lately, 3-0 at that, should not pass unnoticed, nor should his first
BSPA title at Colets.
Joe Lee, son of Danny, also excelled himself reaching the
semi final of the Roma Est having beaten Steve Coppinger 3-2 after
90 minutes plus. Nor did he yield in the semi final, losing a tight
3-1 to Tom Hoevanaars in 70 minutes. Not bad for a qualifier.
Add the promising Adrian Waller, Neil Cordell and
Alex Ingham and perhaps the doom and gloom merchants will be
made to feel more cheerful. The English are not very good at
acknowledging sporting achievement, prefering under achieving,
overpaid and probably not very talented footballers and failed
tennis players for the focus of their attention.
Nor is the progress the product of a more patient development
confined to the boys. Victoria Lust, Kimberley Hay, Emily
Whitlock and Sophie Lemom are all improving and look
likely to continue to do so.
English, European and even Australian players all develop later and
although it is satisfactory to have world class juniors, it is no
passport to individual and particularly team success at senior world
levels. England under 19 boys recently won the European under 19
team title against the odds. England's men beat Egypt in Pakistan
and won again in Chennai when Egypt were again favourites. James
Willstrop beat Amr Shabana in Pakistan and Nick Matthew
beat Gregory Gaultier in a crucial semi final match in Chennai and
both won convincingly.
England has plenty of youth in its senior team: Willstrop, Peter
Barker and Matthew are hardly old men: Alison Waters,
Laura Lengthorn-Massaro and Jenny Duncalf similarly, so
they will injury free, defend England's cause for a while yet. They
have all overtaken players who were supposedly superior at junior
levels.
For a long time now, in fact, since there was a change of
performance director, the England scene has been a happy one with
co-operation between coaches and players. I'm sure politics exist -
they always do when public money is involved - but the players have
not been affected and to be with an England team has been a happy
experience.
I have no doubt that has been a major factor in England's success.
There are certainly many countries where politics are rife and
Egypt, because of the status the sport enjoys there, creates its own
pressures in team events.
I am not suggesting that Richards' and Lee's successes are anything
to go overboard abbout, but they augur well and I am suggesting that
England will continue to be competitive at both world team and
individual levels.
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02-Apr-08:
Behaviour and Sport
Football is slow to recognise it, but it is a game in crisis.
The behavioural standards of its players both on and off the field
are not acceptable, not least because of the massive and
disproportionate coverage it receives.
 The
behaviour of Ashley Cole recently....he is a passionate person
apparently, or that was his excuse.....the attitudes of leading
managers, notably Arsene Wenger and Alex Ferguson, set no example,
either to the players or to the supporters.
The solutions do not appear difficult, except to the game itself. If
the referees took appropriate action, as rugby referees do, many of
the problems would disappear overnight, though there might not be
many players left on the field. I fear though that soccer referees
would not get official backing.
 Cricket,
too has suffered from the Australian disease of sledging, though how
personal insults are part of the game I will never know. Listening
to the constant prattle of inarticulate wicket keepers does little
for me either. It was refreshing to see the spirit in which the
recent N.Z. - England series was played.
Rugby league, a game for which I have great respect, has
standards which it should guard jealously. Referees are listened to
and decisions are accepted. It is apparent, though, there is more
talking to referees than there once was - Lawrence Dallagio is a
prime example in the other code - and it is contingent on all those
responsible for the the well being of the game, coaches and players
alike, that a little does not become a lot.
 The
concept of the captain asking for clarification is a good one. Kevin
Sinfield shows how that works ... and the last thing rugby needs is
players gathering around to voice their opinions. One other practice
to be deplored is the tussling of an opponent's hair when he has
made a mistake.
So rugby league please protect the good things in your game.
So where does squash stand in the behavioural stakes?
Probably not badly, though there are no grounds for complacency. The
frequency of decisions, the intensity of the action is a recipe for
problems, but players need to be aware that spectators in the main
do not want to watch endless lets, debates with referees or
arrogance in any form.
We all have a responsibility to make the game as attractive and
entertaining as possible, especially as today's product and Sky
productions are entirely watchable. Squash's referees are not
professional in any sense, but they still have the responsibility to
act firmly to put down churlish and unacceptable behaviour at all
levels.
Nor does the responsibility rest solely with the referee ... the
coach has an even bigger part to play. Nor must squash ever lapse,
as soccer has done, into accepting cheating as part of the game.
Surely the value of sport lies in producing winners of fair contests
and if children are raised in a win at all costs culture, then we
are all failing.
 I
was saddened, too, that Dwain Chambers, the athlete, has been taken
on by Castleford, rugby league having zero tolerance to drug cheats.
Castleford's plight is desperate, but surely not that desperate.
Coach Terry Matterson's disbelief was clear for all to see, but he
will know that there is as much chance of Chambers at 29 being
successful as the proverbial cat in hell. In truth it is a joke and
I should imagine he is wetting himself at the prospect of running
into Jamie Peacock to name one of many. Don't worry Terry he'll be
gone as suddenly as he came.
 And
what about England's new soccer manager? Ashley Cole, despite his
disgusting behaviour is selected immediately and unbelievably he
picks Rio Ferdinand as captain. Drug test dodger, drunk driving,
unattractive and inarticulate. What was Capello thinking about? To
think he is on four or five million a year to make such appalling
decisions...........
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Hurghada to give Kuwaiti Clues ...
Hurghada, at which Amr Shabana
makes a welcome return to action, and where all the top Egyptians
are involved, will be informative for the prestigious Kuwait Open
and will provide players there with useful match play after the
recent break, which was no doubt welcome for several players.
There are some heavy first round matches: Wael el Hindi v Cameron
Pilley, Ong Beng Hee v Laurens Anjema; Lee Beachill
may well be tested by Borja Golan and the grouping of El
Hindi, Pilley, Ong and Anjema is formidable indeed.
Should the last sixteen go according to seeding expectation there
are several interesting matches. Beachill v Palmer, Abbas
v Ramy Ashour, Willstrop v Barker and Iskandar v
Lincou.
These are all better than second round matches, for sure. The last
eight could produce the following line up: Shabana v El Hindi
(who has plenty to do to get there), Gaultier v Darwish
(whose path is eased by Stewart Boswell's withdrawal), Lincou v
Willstrop and Palmer v Ashour.
If they Materialise any one would be acceptable as a final. Gaultier
does well against Shabana, so he will not be fazed by the potential
semi final, but he has Darwish to get past first. Ashour has yet to
lose to Willstrop, so he ,too will have plenty of confidence, not
that he lacks that anyway.
Clearly how well Shabana does in Hurghada is a major factor. He will
certainly be fresh, if he has been getting some sleep, but I have a
feeling he will not find things easy. Willstrop was in fine form
before the rest and it will be interesting to see if he comes back
after the break in the same form. Ashour and Gaultier have both had
minor hiccups by their standards and will be eager to show they are
minor.
This is all based on seedings working out, which they rarely do
nowadays. Predictions are nigh on impossible and I defy anyone to
tell me who is favourite; after Hurghada perhaps, but not now.
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Rubbish in the Guardian
I am not sure who Oliver Irish is or what credibility he has
as a sports journalist, but his cheap misrepresentation of facts
should not go unchallenged, though it is clear he was happy to
misrepresent to get his tawdrey offering printed and get himself a
pay day.
 Squash
diminished by zero status
The Guardian: Without a Steve Redgrave-type figure,
how can squash become anything more than a minority sport?
Join in the debate ...
He describes the Canary Wharf crowd
as white, male 30/40, pink shirted - whatever that implies - and
drinking Budweiser as if corporate hospitality is squash's province.
I was there for three days and the crowd was certainly not all male;
I doubt if his age classification was correct, though it s obvious
that in mid week in Canary Wharf there would not be the usual number
of children. As for his racist implication with the word white,
shame on him. The game is truly international and universal and his
inferences are despicable. Should he come to Pontefract, which may
be beneath him, he would see players from all over the world, of all
colours and race, practising happily together on a daily basis. In
fact no one thinks about colour until people such as him cause us
to.
Nor does he mention that Canary Wharf was sold out all week: the
crowds were involved and informed and they enjoyed the players as
much as the players appreciated them. He prefers to say "I did not
gain much by watching the players in the flesh rather than on TV."
How sad is that, if watching a final of considerable skill, which
took two world class players to the bottom of their physical wells,
did nothing for him. That's a reflection on him, not the game of
squash, nor the two players, Cameron Pilley and James Willstrop. He
sounds like a couch potato to me. Would that he had remained there.
Typical of the distortion of fact is that he describes the final of
little more than an hour, when the actual figure of 78 minutes was
readily available. He seems to be implying that an hour is not much,
but he should remember that players hit every other ball and play is
continuous, which separates from most other sports. He complains
about referee interaction - another distortion - since Pilley and
Willstrop scarcely asked for a let between them. And what about his
paper's favourite sport ,soccer ... referee interaction of a
prolonged and unacceptable sort.
To state that squash needs a Steve Redgrave is quite ludicrous and
incongruous. Any sport would be proud to associate with such a man
but rowing has no great profile despite his five gold medals. I seem
to remember, too, that it took the media a long time to recognise
his mammoth achievements. Just how long did it take the appalling
BBC Sports personality of the year, where Peter Nicol's two
Commonwealth golds didn't even get a mention, to recognise the great
man, whilst sporting minnows by his standards, were feted.
Of course squash gets no national coverage ... sports editors are
obsessed with the appalling game of football, which sets standards
of cheating and gracelessness .. .look no further than Ferguson and
Wenger, second to none.
There is little room for anything else and if the Guardian or any
other newspaper wishes to pander, for whatever reason - economic,
presumably - to people who follow the game, this is what an eminent,
far more eminent than Mr. Irish, journalist had to say recently:
"Why do respectable, educated people have anything to do with the
moronic cult of football-a celebration of cheating, shamming,
spite, crudity and greed."
Perhaps the Guardian should take a look at itself if it wishes to
sanction the uncalled for and unwarranted attack on a far more
worthwhile game.
Irish's final statement that when Peter Nicol, a truly great
sportsman and personality whose influence has been felt by many,
changed from Scotland to England was when he attracted attention.
That may be so, but that's a reflection on the press and not on
Peter.
It s a pity that England s top ten world players, who conduct
themselves properly and are reasonably articulate to boot, are given
no credit for their achievements as world team champions, the men
beating 29 countries, if the media thinks the game is not universal.
It is true that squash has not been properly marketed, but England
Squash now have a Marketing Department and the splendid company
Capitilise are involved now and will be at the worlds. But the game
has managed well enough without The Guardian and I am sure that the
player who gave Mr. Irish an inter view in good faith, will feel
justifiably betrayed.
If Mr. Irish wants a sport to sort out, let him see if a soccer
player will give an interview without a fee. I doubt it and let him
not pretend that the sport his paper writes most about does need
sorting out ... because I'm telling him, as someone who teaches
children...it does. Go to it ... I look forward to his offering and
please don't ever come back to squash. We don t need you.
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Kevin Sinfield Benefit Night
The worlds of squash and rugby league
united for a benefit night for Leeds Rhinos captain Kevin
Sinfield, who has been with Leeds for ten years, at Pontefract
Squash Club.
A team of Rhinos and a team of Rugby League personalitied took on
the might of Pontefract's talented young women's team - Lauren
Siddall, Kirsty McPhee, Becky Botwright, Deon Saffery and guest
player Jeannine Cowie, the British O35 champio.
The Rhinos team was Kevin himself, Gareth Ellis, Ryan
Hall, Jamie James Buchanan and Francis Cummins. The
personalities were former Rhinos now National coach Tony Smith
- a keen squash player who first brought them to Pontefract for
squash - Richard Agar, the Hull assistant coach, and former
Great Britain and Wigan prop Neil Cowie.
Needles to say the rugby players were put to flight.
Rob Burrow was also in attendance, and James Willstrop,
fresh from his Canary Wharf win, Lee Beachill and Vanessa
Atkinson represented the world of squash.
Jamie James Buchanan entertained the audience as guest
speaker with tales of Kevin and turned out to be as funny as I had
been told he was.
Obviously fancying a similar night on his own behalf, he reminded me
politely that it was his benefit year in 2009 ...
Lost for Words, directed by Sylvan Richardson, a combination
of professional, semi-professional and amateur talent, provided
splendid musical entertainment. Hannah Nicholson, Andy Proctor,
Martin Sunderland the vocalists, supported by club member Alan
Norrish, a new England Over 40 international famous for his Elvis
Presley impersonations, and gifted 11 year-old Ella Grayson
who sang 'Somewhere over the 'Rainbow' quite remarkably for one so
young. She is also a very talented squash player.
Kevin thanked the club for staging the event, re-affirming the
strong links the Rhinos have with Pontefract Squash Club, two sports
happily brought together for a common cause.
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15-March,
Kevin Sinfield benefit night -
Girls v the League ...
Pontefract Squash Club, whose connections with Leeds Rhinos and
Rugby League in general are well known, will stage a benefit night
for Rhinos captain Kevin Sinfield on Saturday March 15th.
A Rhinos team of Kevin, Danny Mcguire, Jamie James Buchanan, Francis
Cummins and Gareth Ellis, a coach's team which will include Tony
Smith, Richard Agar and Neil Cowie, will test their squash skills
against the might of Pontefract's European Champion women's team,
Becky Botwright, Lauren Siddall, Kirsty McPhee and Deon Saffery.
Jamie James Buchanan will be guest speaker and Sylvan Richardson's
band Lost for Words will provide the musical entertainment.
Tickets are available from the club: 01977 793333
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British Championships – Afterthoughts
The absence of Nick Matthew and Peter Barker's injury certainly
eased James Willstop's task, but his form has been such in
recent months that he would not have been easily beaten whatever the
circumstances.
Lee Beachill must be happy at reaching his seventh British
final six weeks after a hernia operation. Beating Adrian Grant in
the semis was a fine effort and at all times his racket looked as
good as ever.
Alison Waters was deservedly rewarded with the British title
on her third appearance in the final. She staved off a strong
challenge from Laura Lengthorn-Massaro from whom there is
more to come for sure.
It is good to see some of the younger players making an impression,
Tom Richards and Victoria Lust both performing creditably.
To have Peter Marshall back is a bonus. He played extremely
well to beat evergreen Alex Gough and local legend Nick
Taylor to win the O35 title. He reminded everyone just how tough
and resolute he is and though his technique perhaps shouldn't be
copied, everything else about him should.
Yawar Abbas and squash at Manchester's Sportcity go hand in
hand. Fitting that he should take the O40 title, even though he is
struggling to accept that he is forty. If that's his problem, things
are unlikely to get better.
Other illustrious names were on the roll of honour: Pat Kirton,
Philip Ayton, Howard Cherlin and Adrian Wright. Jeannine
Cowie, wife of former GB rugby league star Neil, a local girl,
was thrilled with her success in the Over 35's.
Rugby League was well represented – Neil was there, of course,
legend of his game, and Tony Smith, former Leeds Rhinos and
new GB coach, was at the final.
The physios, who are there in support of the players, never cease to
amaze me. Always available, ready to help and uncomplaining, no
matter how late it is, they are much appreciated for their
invaluable work. Thanks Cheryl, Graham, Phil, Sylvan ...
Well done England Squash for making the women's championship 11
scoring american. How much easier to watch England's world class
players and no problem for them adapting to it. If ever an argument
is needed in its favour, try the half-hour first game between Peter
Marshall and Nick Taylor.
Publicity surrounding the tournament was massively improved with
several Sunday newspapers reporting on it, and TV in attendance.
England's new marketing division, Howard Harding and the excellent
marketing company, London-based Capitalize, deserve congratulations
for their efforts.
No doubt Manchester Leisure were using the championship as a guide
towards the World Championships in October. There was certainly a
sense of strict organisation about the event. However it has always
been well organised and it is to be hoped it retains its friendly
and welcoming feeling it has had over the years. To lose that would
be a disaster.
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05-Feb:
Injuries take their toll on top ten
I wrote a while ago about the demands on players performing at the
top of the world game, and while I applaud eleven scoring and
whoever conceived it, it is clear that it taxes players to their
physical limits.
Add playing match after match, night after night, the requirements
to win a tournament; add the most competitive age ever and small
wonder that a close inspection of the world's top ten's injury
problems makes worrying viewing.
Anthony Ricketts is gone; Ramy Ashour's recent
injuries have been well chronicled and he is only young; Nick
Matthew has had a shoulder operation and Lee Beachill a
hernia operation.
Karim Darwish has been injured and Gregory Gaultier has
an arm problem it seems and will miss
this weekend's French Closed. Despite his success Amr Shabana
has intermittent wrist problems-not enough to stop him winning- and
strongman Thierry Lincou has had leg injuries.
Only a few of the world's top ten, then, seem to have been ok
recently. Not being a statistician I have no record of times before
eleven scoring, but the above hardly makes pretty reading.
Soundness being the prime requirement, clearly back up is of
paramount importance. Players such as John White and Alex
Gough have proved that it is possible to have long careers, but
they have been essentially sound and played for most of their
careers under a less demanding scoring system.
Injuries are part of any sportsman's life and squash does not have
the physical contact of some sports - but take that away and it is
as demanding as any sport can be. Soccer players complain about two
matches a week and are accordingly rotated; I even heard darts
players - hardly a sport - bemoaning travelling from Holland to
London, thus explaining their loss of form.....heaven help them.
Try the squash player's lot ...
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11-Jan-08:
Beachill on
way back ...
Since there were rumours about Lee Beachill's future ,which were unfounded,
an update might be appropriate.
Last Friday lee had an operation in
Leicester for a sportsman's hernia. He is already back in the
gym, feeling more comfortable by the day and will be back on court
very soon. National league at the end of the month, the Swedish Open
and the British Closed are his immediate aims.
There is no question
of retirement: he is hitting the ball as well as ever and his
enthusiasm, which may not be on his sleeve, is intact. Although
unable to play a full playing part in England s world team success I
understand from coaches and players alike that he was a considerable
help in India. I can vouch for his ability between games.
No doubt he
will be eager to perform well in the British Closed, in which he has
a record second to none.
But Ricketts will be missed ...
It is hard to imagine anything much worse for a professional
sportsman or woman to have their careers cut short through
injury, which is what has happened to Australian Anthony Ricketts.
A winner of the British Open, the Super Series and the Tournament of
Champions amongst others, Anthony for a long time managed a knee,
which has been subjected to many operations. Finally after long
treatment in Australia he has accepted the inevitable and officially
retired.
Famously strong and athletic Anthony also had a manic streak, which
I once wrote about after a performance against Ong Beng Hee in Manchester at the British Open. A couple of hours later, after
the article appeared on Squash Site he approached me and asked if he
could have a word. I asked if it was about what I had written, to
which he replied:
"No, but my mother has seen it and she agrees with
you."
Off court he was good fun and a credit to his profession. He
spent much of last year at Pontefract with the better half, Shelley
Kitchen,
and they were a popular couple. I spoke to him very recently and
he was remarkably upbeat, already coaching, something I knew always
appealed to him, in America.
It is good that he will not be lost to
the game. I told him to make sure his protégés didn't copy his
technique, to which he added, laughing, "nor my manic streak!"
I
have no doubt he will bring the same professionalism and success to
his coaching that he did as a player. Everyone at Pontefract who
knew him will wish him well.
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 01-Jan-2008:
Ten New Year thoughts and hopes for squash
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That
the women’s game adopts American scoring so that we have
a universal system.
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That
the game is properly marketed: there have been
some promising signs from England Squash’s newly-appointed
marketing division.
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That
we maintain standards of behaviour and fair play and are
assisted in this by stronger refereeing.
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That
the over-age problems at junior level are resolved.
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That
Ramy Ashour recovers from his injury problems – he is an
important addition to the world scene.
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That
Amr Shabana gets the recognition in Egypt that he
deserves. To criticise him for his ‘failure’ - losing to David
Palmer is hardly that – in the world team championships is
scandalous.
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That
the squash public gets behind betting. As I have
repeatedly maintained, mostly to deaf ears, betting is crucial
and will raise the profile of the players and the sport more
than any other factor, believe me!
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That
Ziad Al-Turki is recognised for his efforts to improve
prize money. No-one wants football money, but present levels
need to be two to three times as much.
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That
the problems with the glass floor, so manifest in
Bermuda, are sorted. It almost spoiled what was a splendid
event. The players deserve credit for getting on with it,
risking their limbs, even if not their lives.
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That
the world championships in Manchester are an unqualified
success. Manchester, through Jim Quigley and his team, have done
as much as anyone for the game.
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Ten varied sporting thoughts ...
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That
soccer starts setting an example, especially to all the
youngsters who follow the game. David Platt, whose voice is bad
enough, recently gave out “that was a good foul!”. With
commentators like that, the game has no hope!
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Sportsmen and women stop publicly crediting some divine power
when successful. My naïve conception is that God is even-handed
to all. Privately, that’s fine.
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Rugby
Union at international level gets back to handling the ball,
like Welsh teams used to when the Welsh could play rugby.
Remember Edwards, John, Dawes, Bennett, Williams, Davies ….
Bulldozing over from a yard is hardly entertainment.
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That I see better value in 2008
than Croatia at 15/2 to beat a rank England side in the
final qualifier for Euro 2008. A friend had 9/1 and a fortnight
in St Lucia as a result! We’ll be so lucky …
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That
the Cheltenham Festival and Canary Wharf Classic,
two of my favourite events, stop clashing.
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That
tennis in this country realises that we have no players,
except the one-offs, because the game is still embedded in
middle-class society. Jonah Barrington released squash from that
burden, tennis needs a Jonah.
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That
a sense of fair play is restored in all sport. Drugs are
sport’s doom, but there is much else that needs addressing.
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That
the media give more balance to their coverage of sport –
90% soccer and the rest, if you’re lucky.
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That
sports realise when they are lucky to have shining lights at the
top of their game – tennis has Federer, racing has
Dettori and McCoy, rugby union has Wilkinson,
cricket has Vaughan …
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That
the BBC Sports Personality of the Year is done away with,
and all other award ceremonies which do not recognise genuine
achievement in all sport.
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