Squash - Int News
Houston to host 2024 WSF World Junior Squash Championships
Sports Bulletin ReportHouston (USA): The World Squash Federation (WSF) board has awarded US Squash the rights to host the 2024 WSF World Junior Squash Championships, with the event set to be held in Houston, Texas July 12-23, 2023.The 2024 edition, which will feature both men’s and women’s junior individual tournaments, will take place at the Houston Squash Club, which is also home to two PSA World Tour Gold events the Houston Open.Next year's championships will also see the men’s and women’s junior team championships being held simultaneously for the first time in event history.The 2023 event, which was staged in Melbourne, Australia, saw Egyptian 16-year-old Amina Orfi claim her second consecutive women’s individuals title and Pakistan’s Hamza Khan become his country’s first champion since Jansher Khan in 1986.In the women’s team event, Egypt also claimed their tenth WSF Women’s World Junior Team Championship title and eighth in succession.This will be the first time US Squash has hosted the event since the 2011 women’s individual and team championships in Boston, when the women’s team - led by 2010 individual junior world champion Amanda Sobhy - finished runner up to Egypt.“Houston is one of the fastest growing squash communities in the U.S. and we are looking forward to hosting the world’s best junior players in Texas, ” said Kevin Klipstein, US Squash President & CEO. “The community is incredibly diverse and energetic, and we applaud all of Jahanzeb Khan’s efforts at Houston Squash Club. He’s led the development of squash from the grassroots to hosting the first ever major national junior event in Texas."We appreciate the World Squash Federation’s consideration in awarding this event to the US. To see how far junior squash has come in just 12 years since we last hosted the World Juniors in Boston is remarkable, and largely due to the dedication of teaching pros and coaches all across the country. We’re looking forward to the partnership with Houston to host a world class experience.”Houston Squash Club CEO Jahanzeb Khan said: "It is an honor for Houston Squash Club to host this world class junior event in Houston, Tx for the first time in the history of Squash. We are thrilled to work with US Squash and member nation federations and we look forward to successfully hosting the athletes from July 12-23, 2024.”WSF CEO William Louis-Marie said: “On behalf of the World Squash Federation, I’d like to express our gratitude to both US Squash and Houston Squash Club for hosting the 2024 WSF World Junior Squash Championships. “We’ve seen a huge increase in the sport’s popularity, particularly at junior level, throughout the USA and the bronze medal won by their junior women’s team this year and the silver by the senior women’s team last year shows the progress being made across the board by US Squash."I commend the efforts of US Squash and Houston Squash Club for their work in the development of squash for women and girls and in helping to deliver both individual events and both team events simultaneously for the first time in our sport's history. This is a great step forward for squash.”
Asian Juniors Individual Squash Championship: Pakistan wins only single gold medal
Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: Pakistan claimed one gold, one silver, and one bronze medal in the Asian Juniors Squash Championship 2023 that concluded at Dalian, China on Sunday. It is noteworthy to mention here that Pakistan had won three gold and one silver medal in 2018, and won a team event in 2022 in India after thrashing the hosts in the final.According to Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF), Nauman Khan and Ahmad Rayyan Khalil both Pakistani lads played of the final of Under-13 age category. Nauman Khan beat compatriot Ahmad Rayyan Khalil 3-2 in a five games nail-and-bite contest. The final score line was 9/11, 11/8, 6/11, 11/3, 11/9. Abdullah Nawaz won the bronze medal in the Asian Junior Individual Squash Championship Under-17 category competitions.President PSF, Chief of Air Staff (CAS) Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar congratulated the players and officials on their remarkable performances in the championship.
Sri Lanka ready to participate in Asian Junior’s Championship
Sports Bulletin ReportColombo (Sri Lanka): The Sri Lankan junior squash team is all set to compete in the 30th Asian Junior Individual Championships in Dalian, China. The team is led by Nevindu Lakman, who is ranked third in Asia in the Under-19 category and Chanithma Sinaly Under-19 girls Champion.The team is confident of doing well in the tournament and left the island on Saturday 12th Aug evening along with Tour Manager Colonel Mangala Balasuriya and Lady Chaperone Padmini Chandrasiri from Visaka Vidyalaya.The players have been training hard for the past few months under head coach Chaminda Thalagala along with other 4 assistant coaches and are eager to represent their country on the international stage. They are also motivated by the recent success of Sri Lankan squash players, such as Ravindu Laksiri (PSA World rank 121), and Nevindu Lakman, who have both achieved great success in recent years internationally.The team is hoping to make a mark in the tournament and bring back some medals for Sri Lanka. They are also hoping to inspire other young squash players in Sri Lanka to achieve their dreams. We wish our junior players all the courage to perform well.
Asian Junior Super Series: Anas clinches U19, Mehwish wins U17 titles
Abdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: Rising squash lad, Anas Ali Bokhari overcame Usman Nadeem 3-2 to win the Under-19 title of the 1st Asian Junior Super Series that concluded here at Mushaf Squash Complex on Wednesday. Vice President of Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) Adnan Asad graced the ceremony as chief guest.In the Boys’ Under19 final, Anas Ali Bokhari toiled hard on the court to overcome his opponent Usman Nadeem in a five-game final. Anas lost the first two games at 8-11, and 6-11, however, he bounced back in the match by winning the next two games at 11-7, and 11-4. In the last and decisive game, Ali was in the driving seat from the start, as he did not allow his opponent to do well. Asan exhibited top qualify game skills by playing powerful drives and classic drop shorts.In the Under-17 Girls’ final, Mehwish Ali outclassed her sister Mahnoor Ali in straight games 3-0 after lasting just 27 minutes. The final score-line was 11-9, 11-6, and 11-6.Results (finals):Boys U-11: Harmas Ali beat Mustafa Khan 12-10, 11-8, 10-12, 11-8 in 30 minBoys U-13: Noman Khan beat Ahmed Rayyan Khalil 11-3, 11-9, 11-6 in 25 minBoys U-15: Ibrahim Zeb beat Mubeen Khan 11-5, 11-4, 9-5 (retd)Boys U-17: Abdullah Nawaz beat Mohammad Azan Khalil 11-6, 14-12, 11-2 in 40minBoys U-19: Anas Ali Bokhari beat Usman Nadeem PAK 8-11, 6-11, 11-7, 11-4, 11-2 73mGirls U-11: Maleeha Shah PAK beat Zainab Gillani 11-2, 11-1, 11-2 in 16minGirls U-17: Mehwish Ali beat Mahnoor Ali 11-9, 11-6, 11-6 in 27min
Egypt win WSF Women’s World Junior Team Championship
In final, Egypt overcome Malaysia 2-0, Amina Orfi and Zeina Zein claim victoriesJonathan SmithMelbourne (Australia): Egypt have won their tenth WSF Women’s World Junior Team Championship title and their eight in succession after a 2-0 win against No.2 seeds Malaysia at Melbourne Sports Centres.Malaysia came into today’s final with revenge on their minds, having lost to Egypt in the final of the last two editions of the tournament, with their first string Aira Azman also losing to Egyptian first string Amina Orfi in the final of the individual championship earlier this week.The No.2 seeds chances were boosted by news ahead of the tie that Egypt were without two players due to illness, meaning the defending champions were represented by Amina Orfi, Zeina Zein and Nadien El Hammamy.Zein, up first with the 2-1-3 string order today, picked up the gauntlet almost flawlessly from original second string Fayrouz Aboelkheir. After taking a 2-0 lead against Sehveetrraa Kumar, the Egyptian was pegged back in game three 11-2.The 18-year-old soon found the perfect response, however, delivering a stunning 11-0 win in game four to give her side the lead.In the second match, Orfi was at her clinical best as she kept Azman at arm’s length. The 16-year-old kept her cool while Azman made errors in the first two games to take a 2-0 lead, before putting the Malaysian to the sword with an 11-2 win in game three.Result: (Egypt beat Malaysia 2-0)Amina Orfi beat Aira Azman 3-0: 11-7, 11-8, 11-2 (34m)Zeina Zein beat Sehveetrraa Kumar 3-1: 11-3, 11-5, 2-11, 11-0 (27m)Nadien El Hammamy w/d Thanusaa Uthrian
Women’s World Junior Team Championship: Seeds dominate opening day
Jonathan SmithMelbourne (Australia): The higher seeded teams made a comfortable start to the 2023 WSF Women's World Junior Team Championship, with the crowd in Melbourne Sports Centres witnessing a slew of dominant results on day one of the pools stage.With a number of seeding mismatches scheduled today, the action on all three courts in Melbourne was largely one-sided as teams played in a 2-3-1 string order.The day began ominously for the lower seeded teams, with whitewashes on all three courts in the afternoon session.On Court Nine, Malaysia’s first string Aira Azman bounced back from her defeat in the final of the individual event last night by sealing maximum points for her side against New Zealand with a 3-0 win over Ella Lash, following wins by the same scoreline for Sehveetrraa Kumar and Thanusaa Uthrian.On Court Six, India rapidly dismantled Ireland, with Tiana Parasrampuria, Yuvna Gupta and Anahat Singh needing just 46 minutes between them to dispatch the No.13 seeds.On the glass court, Hong Kong, China impressed as Sze Wing Wai, Ka Huen Leung and Toby Tse breezed past Singapore.In the evening session, defending champions and top seeds Egypt - who opted to rest their No.1 Amina Orfi following her victory in the final of the individual event last night - were rampant against No.10 seeds Scotland.The North African nation has won the last seven women’s team events in a run going all the way back to 2007, and on today’s evidence the top seeds look well set for another title challenge.Zeina Zein and Nour Megahed delivered the win for Egypt with 3-0 wins over Anna Halliday and Louisa Kaven, before Fayrouz Aboelkheir made sure of the result after overcoming stubborn resistance from 16-year-old Robyn McAlpine.Result (Pool A):[1] Egypt 3-0 [10] ScotlandFayrouz Aboelkheir beat Robyn McAlpine 3-1: 11-3, 11-1, 12-14, 11-4 (31m)Zeina Zein beat Anna Halliday 3-0: 11-6, 11-2, 11-2 (16m)Nour Megahed beat Louisa Kaven 3-0: 11-3, 11-4, 11-1 (15m)Results (Pool B):[2] Malaysia 3-0 [9] New ZealandAira Azman beat Ella Lash 3-0: 11-5, 11-5, 11-4 (18m)Sehveetrraa Kumar beat Sophie Hodges 3-0: 11-6, 11-9, 11-3 (20m)Thanusaa Uthrian beat Anne Leakey 3-0: 11-8, 11-4, 11-1 (17m)Results (Pool C):[3] USA 3-0 [11] South AfricaMadison Ho beat Savannah Ingledew 3-0: 11-7, 11-8, 11-9 (32m)Riya Navani beat Dené Van Zyl 3-0: 11-2, 11-4, 11-1 (14m)Emma Trauber beat Elske Garbers 3-0: 11-2, 11-4, 11-0 (14m)[5] England 3-0 [14] Chinese TaipeiAsia Harris beat Yu-Chen Cheng 11-1, 11-0, 11-2 (14m)Amelie Haworth beat Jen-Ju Shaw Pearl 3-0: 11-4, 11-3, 11-4 (16m)Meha Shah beat Mei Mei Chan 3-0: 11-3, 11-5, 11-3 (15m)Results (Pool D):[4] Hong Kong, China 3-0 [12] SingaporeToby Tse beat Paige Teresa Hill 3-0: 11-5, 11-2, 11-5 (20m)Sze Wing Wai beat Gracia Chua Rui Én 3-0: 11-4, 11-5, 11-7 (21m)Ka Huen Leung beat Wai Iynn Au Yeong 3-0: 11-7, 11-6, 11-7 (23m)[6] India 3-0 [13] IrelandAnahat Singh beat Sarah Sabry 3-0: 11-1, 11-4, 11-2 (18m)Tiana Parasrampuria beat Sophie Thomas 3-0: 11-2, 11-2, 11-3 (14m)Yuvna Gupta beat Maria Protsepova 3-0: 11-5, 11-3, 11-2 (14m)Schedule (July 25, 2023):Pool A14:00 [1] Egypt v [7] CanadaPool B17:00 [2] Malaysia v [8] AustraliaPool C14:00 [3] USA v [5] England, [11] South Africa v [14] Chinese TaipeiPool D17:00 [12] Singapore v [13] Ireland, [4] Hong Kong, China v [6] India
Hamza Khan wins World Junior Squash Championship title
Hamza thrashes Mohamed Zakariah 3-1 to win crown after 37 years for PakistanSports Bulletin ReportMelbourne (Australia): Rising star Mohamed Zakariah from Egypt 3-1 in the World Juniors Individual Squash Championship 2023 here at Melbourne Sports Centre, Australia on Sunday. The final score-line was 10-12, 14-12, 11-3, and 11-6.In the men’s final, both finalists Mohamed Zakariah and Hamza Khan played excellent squash and were not ready to succumb, as the first two games ended on a tie-break. Hamza went down after the first game at 10-12, however, he showed his confidence in the next game and locked horns with the Egyptian lad. Hamza snatched the second game at 14-12 to level the championship final.After squaring the contest, Pakistani players Mohammad Hamza did not see back and continued his aggressive game, which was a blend of powerful drives and classic nicks. He won the third and fourth games by conceding just 3 and 6 points. Finally, Hamza Khan lifted the title of the World Juniors Squash Championship for Pakistan after 37 years. Jansher Khan earned the same honour for Pakistan in 1986.Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmad Babar, President PSF, Air vice Marshal Kazim Hammad, and Senior Vice President PSF congratulated Hamza Khan on his remarkable and historical feat.In women’s final, Egyptian 16-year-old Amina Orfi defended her WSF World Junior Championship title with a convincing win over Malaysia’s Aira Azman in Melbourne Sports Centres.Top seed Orfi, who stunned last year in France to win the title aged just 15, looked in top form throughout, with her tight hitting causing the [3/4] seed no end of problems.The opening stages of the match were initially even, with Azman edging into an 8-7 lead in game one, only for Orfi to come firing back with four straight points.After taking the first game 11-8, Orfi began to dominate and rapidly wrapped up the title in just 31 minutes with comprehensive 11-5, 11-1 wins in games two and three.
Squash News: Hamza Khan reaches Juniors World Championship final
Pakistani lad overcomes French man Melvil Scianimanico 3-2 in the nerve-jingling semifinalSports Bulletin ReportMelbourne (Australia): Pakistan’s rising squash lad Hamza Khan reached the final of the World Junior Squash Championship 2023, which is going on in Melbourne Australia after beating French man Melvil Scianimanico 3-2 in the nerve-jingling fight in the first semifinal. The final score-line was 11-8, 11-4, 10-12, 9-11, and 13-11. The match lasted 81 minutes.Hamza won the first couple of games comfortably and earned a 2-0 lead in a crucial contest, however, his opponent bounced back by winning the next two games and squared the match 2-2. In the 5th game, both players exhibited quality squash and amused the sizeable spectators, as the Hamza finished the game at a tie-break with the score of 13-11 to secure the berth in the final.It is pertinent to mention here that after a period of 15 years, a Pakistani player qualified for the final of the World Juniors’ Squash Championship. The last time, Aamir Atlas Khan played the final of the World Junior Squash Championship in 2008.Results (Quarterfinals):Women’s Event:Amina Orfi (Egypt) beat Zeina Kareem El-Din (Egypt) 3-0 (11-5, 11-5, 12-10)Malak Khagafy (Egypt) beat Anahat Singh (India) 3-1 (10-12, 11-8, 11-7, 11-2)Aira Azman (Malaysia) beat Lauren Baltayan (France) 3-0 (11-4, 11-9, 11-6)Fayrouz Aboelkheir (Egypt) beat Caroline Fouts (USA) 3-0 (11-5, 14-12, 11-5)Men’s Event:Salman Khalil (Egypt) beat Jonah Bryant (England) 3-0 (15-13, 11-4, 11-8)Mohamed Zakariah (Egypt) beat Juan Jose Lara (Colombia) 3-0 (11-8, 11-8, 11-7)Hamza Khan (Pakistan) beat Joachim Chuah (Malaysia) 3-1 (11-8, 9-11, 11-7, 12-10)Melvil Scianimanico (France) beat Hollis Robertson (USA) 3-2 (11-9, 6-11, 11-2, 9-11, 11-8).
Borneo Junior Open 2023: Huzaifa wins gold, Mahoor claims silver medal
Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: Pakistani teenage squash player, Huzaifa Shahid won the gold medal while Mahnoor Ali lifted the bronze medal in the 7th Borneo Junior Open 2023 that concluded Kuching Malaysia.According to an official, 401 players all over the world participated in Boys’ Under-13 and Girls’ Under-15 fixtures. Boy’s U13 final, Huzaifa Shahid outclassed his opponent Lokkhesh Wigneswaran from Malaysia in straight games 3-0. The final score-line was 11-3, 11-7, and 11-4, as the match lasted only 12 minutes. Mahnoor Ali thrashed Amber Chieng Shiao in Girls’ U13 match 3-0 at 11-3, 11-4, and 11-5 after 18 minutes game.
Squash News: Shahid Zaman visits Shanghai to coach budding players
China people keen to promote squash in the country: Says Shahid ZamanAbdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: Top International Squash coach and former Pakistan player, Shahid Zaman Khan visited Shanghai from June 22 to 28, 2023 to coach the budding squash players at Lantau Squash Courts, Hongiao Sports Park Shanghai at the request of the Shanghai Squash Association (SSA).Shahid Zaman told this reporter that Deputy Secretary General SSA Jin Zhen, who is also General Manager of LongYu Sports, had contacted him about this assignment and finally, he visited China and trained the players during the 7-day camp. “I was busy at Harvard Business School Boson and at the request of SSA I joined the camp for seven days, “he added.“China people are keen to promote squash in their country and they are toiling hard to achieve their goal. They are doing tremendous work for squash and providing international standard facilities to their male and female players. I came from Boston, United States of America (USA) and I found the players hungry to learn the skills and techniques of squash, “he further said.Replying to a question he said that it was an honour for me to guide the budding squash players of China. “We have an exemplary friendship with our neighboring country and I enjoyed it here. Chinese love Pakistan and Pakistani people. They are well disciplined and well equipped in squash and are trying their best to gain a position in the world of squash, “he maintained.Zaman further said that officials of the China Squash were working hard to move ahead at the international level. “It was amazing for me that they collect the information of players and clubs. They motivate their players to squash and facilitate them in good manners. They are constructing squash courts according to international demands. They want to promote squash in days, “he asserted. He further said Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) should hire the services of qualified Pakistani coaches, who could train the teenagers. “I am not asking for any job for myself because I have a job in a reputable organization Harvard Business School Boson in the USA. But, many other Pakistani coaches are working abroad and the federation should utilize their services to regain the lost glory of Pakistan squash. We are at our lowest ebb at this stage, “he lamented.Shahid Zaman said, “There is no respect for coaches in Pakistan, and the squash federation does not want to hire the services of the best coaches. We played squash for Pakistan and we got all honours and respect due to our country. We want to see our squash again on top. This is our dream and being a Pakistan we pray for Pakistan squash each day, “former Pakistan squash player Shahid Zaman Khan concluded.
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