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Squash News: Pakistan Junior Team, Noor Zaman claim ASF Awards
Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s junior squash team has won the award of ‘The Most Improved Team of the Year 2022’ by the Asian Squash Federation (ASF).The ASF announced the winners of the ASF Performance Awards 2022 on Wednesday. Pakistan’s Junior Squash Team won the ASF Development Award while the country’s top junior player Noor Zaman Khan named for Hassan Musa Asian Award for ‘Outstanding Performance of the Year 2022 in the juniors’ category.The ASF received 18 nominations from seven member countries for seven categories of the ASF Performance Awards and 11 nominations from four countries for four categories of the ASF Coaches Awards this year. The awards will be presented at the forthcoming Asian Individual Championships, which will be taken place from June 6-10 in Hong Kong, China.
Coaching Courses for United States women to start on May 7, 2023
Sports Desk
ISLAMABAD: United States (US) Squash has announced the first series of women-only coaching courses to be held in May and June at the Arlen Specter US Squash Center in Philadelphia.
Led by Linda Elriani, US Squash’s Senior Director of Professional Development and Coaching, the courses were designed for women only in an effort to bring more women into teaching professional roles. Increasing the number of positive female coaching role models is an important piece of expanding the number of women and girls in the sport as US Squash drives towards gender parity in participation.
The initial courses will be a Start Squash Coaching Certification Course, May 7, and a Level 1 Coaching Certification Course, June 23-25. To register and for more information visit ussquash.org/coach-certification.
US Squash is grateful for support from the PSA Foundation for providing grant funding to support the attendance of aspiring women coaches and teaching professionals.
Kemp appointed National Performance Coach for Squash New Zealand
Sports Bulletin Report
Auckland (New Zealand): Squash New Zealand has announced that Jonathan Kemp has been appointed National Performance Coach. Kemp, a former professional squash player and highly respected coach, brings a wealth of experience to the role and is set to play a crucial role in developing the next generation of elite squash players in New Zealand.
Originally from the UK, Kemp enjoyed a successful career as a professional squash player, reaching a career-high ranking of World No. 20. Since retiring from competitive play in 2014 Kemp has established himself as one of the leading coaches in the sport, having worked with a number of top players on the PSA World Tour.
In his new role as National Performance Coach, Kemp will be responsible for leading the development of New Zealand’s top squash players and working closely with Squash New Zealand High-Performance manager Shelley Kitchen to create a pathway for players to progress from grassroots to elite level.
Diego Elias becomes first South American to reach World No.1
Sports Bulletin Report
Birmingham (UK): Elias, 26, is known as ‘the Peruvian Puma’ for his incredible reflexes and retrievals and has reached the top of the squash world rankings having this season won major titles at the US Open and the Tournament of Champions as well as winning Silver-level events in Detroit and Pittsburgh and reaching the finals of the Singapore Open, Hong Kong Open and British Open.
With previous World No.1 Mostafa Asal serving a PSA suspension, Elias’ rise to the top was confirmed when rival for World No.1 Mohamed ElShorbagy unexpectedly crashed out in the last 16 of the British Open to Karim Abdel Gawad.
Peru’s guy Diego Elias said:
“It’s a dream come true. I’ve been trying not to think too much about it and just play tournaments and focus on winning them. When I saw the result [between ElShorbagy and Gawad] I couldn’t believe it and I still can’t believe it. [At the start of the season] it was a goal, but I knew it was going to be hard. I put a lot of work at the start of the season and the results came!”
Elias’ coach Jonathon Power of Canada, himself a former World No.1, added: “One of the happiest days of my life! I’m so proud of him! Happiest for his parents and the whole team that helped him over this incredible journey.” In the women’s rankings, Egypt’s Nouran Gohar remains top, despite a loss in the British Open final to reigning World Champion and compatriot Nour El Sherbini.
Bangladesh expands scholarship Squash, Education Scholarship for girls
Sports Bulletin Report
DHAKA: The Bangladesh Squash Rackets Federation (BSRF) has announced the expansion of the Squash and Education Scholarship.
The Squash and Education Scholarship, which was introduced last year alongside the BSRF’s flagship Classroom Squash programme, provides funding to underprivileged girls for sporting goods, food and education assistance.
According to data from the International Labour Organization, girls in Bangladesh are more likely to be involved in both household and income-generating activities while in school than boys, leading to greater absenteeism and poorer educational outcomes, both of which are recognised triggers for dropping out of school.
Rue, a new recipient of the Squash and Education Scholarship commented: “Now, I will be able to give more time to squash and improve my game. One day I will bring a medal for Bangladesh!”
BSRF General Secretary Brigadier General Quamrul Islam added: “With the “Squash and Education Scholarship” for underprivileged girls, one day Bangladesh Squash will produce world class female squash players.”
Nine-Team to participate in the Chennai Squash World Cup
Sports Bulletin Report
ISLAMABAD: As many as nine teams from five continents will contest the re-launched Squash World Cup from June 13 to 17, 2023 at Chennai, India.
From Asia, hosts India will be joined by Japan, Malaysia and Hong Kong, China, with Africa represented by Egypt and South Africa, Europe by England, Oceania by Australia and South America by Colombia. Besides hosts India, Australia, Colombia, Egypt, England, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Malaysia, South Africa will fight for top honour.
The Chennai Squash World Cup is an international tournament in which national team squads represented by two men and two women play ties of four matches against each other. The relaunched event will be played in Chennai between 13-17 June 2023, with quarters, semis and final action to be played on a stunning all glass show court inside the Express Avenue Mall.
The 2023 World Cup will be the fourth edition of the tournament, the rules of which have been revamped since the last edition, played in 2011 in Chennai, when an Egypt team comprised of Ramy Ashour, Raneem El Welily and Karim Darwish beat England’s James Willstrop, Jenny Duncalf and Tom Richards in the final
Squash confirmed for 2024 Pan-American Masters Games
Sports Bulletin Report
ISLAMABAD: The Pan-American Masters Games announced it will offer squash as one of twenty-six sports at the Cleveland 2024 Games, July 12-21, with the release of its official sports program last week.
Hosted by Greater Cleveland Sports Commission, this Olympic-like sports festival for masters athletes, those competing over 30 years old, is expected to be the largest international gathering in Northeast Ohio’s history.
Held every four years in the Americas, the Games will bring over 7,500 masters athletes from more than 50 countries along with thousands of spectators, families and friends. This event will provide more than $18 million in economic impact to the local Cleveland economy.
Squash enjoys a large and diverse player base at the masters level, including across the Americas, with world masters champions coming from a wide variety of nations.
The squash competition will be held at the Cleveland Racquet Club and will be open to players of all abilities.
Kevin Klipstein, President& CEO of US Squash said:
“Inclusion in the Pan-American Masters Games will showcase the skill, passion, and international diversity of our sport’s athletes. We are grateful to the Cleveland Racquet Club for stepping forward as hosts, and I’m confident it will be an exceptional experience for all players.”
“We’re excited to announce our official sports program for the 2024 Pan-American Masters Games. Our team has been hard at work over the last several months planning an event local, national and international masters athletes will enjoy,” said Rachael Stentz-Baugher, Executive Director of Pan-American Masters Games and SVP, Community and Corporate Engagement of Greater Cleveland Sports Commission.
Federación Panamericana de Squash President Francisco Paradisi said:
“We’re delighted to see squash confirmed once again for inclusion in the Pan-American Masters Games. Squash has a thriving masters community throughout the Americas region. In the 2018 Charlottesville WSF World Masters Championships, Pan American players alone captured 21 medals and I’m sure every player who participates next year will enjoy the hospitality of Cleveland and put on a great show for everyone watching. I wish everyone planning on being part of the Games in 2024 the best of luck.”
WSF President Zena Wooldridge said:
“Squash has one of the most vibrant masters communities in the world, from over 35s to over 85s, with players from 10 different nations – four of those Pan-American – winning gold medals at last year’s WSF World Masters Championships.
“The 2016 Games in Vancouver were a brilliant showcase of our sport and our masters community and I have every confidence that the Cleveland 2024 Games will be another spectacular celebration of what squash can bring to a multi-sport Games.
Canadian Open Wheelchair Squash program encourages participants
Sports Bulletin Report
Toronto (Canada): The inclusivity of squash has been on full display at this week’s Canadian Women’s Open, with a number of inclusivity programme participants taking part in on court activities throughout the week.
One such group were wheelchair squash players, who had the chance to play on the stunning glass court in Toronto’s Brookfield Place that has hosted some of squash’s best players.
Wheelchair squash is a version of the sport that has been adapted for wheelchair users through Squash 57: a racket sport in which players use a larger head racket and a larger (57mm), bouncier ball than in squash.
As well as playing exhibition matches on the Jonathon Power Court, two wheelchair squash players gave testimonials about the impact the sport had made on their lives.
One such player was Shauna, who got into squash as a result of Federacion Panamericana de Squash Secretary General and wheelchair squash advocate Lolly Gillen.
Lolly Gillen said:
“I sustained a spinal cord injury when I was 16 years old as a result of a parachuting accident and I’ve used a wheelchair ever since. I’ve participated in just about every adaptive sport imaginable from basketball to skiing to sledge hockey to tennis and I’m currently a very active and competitive wheelchair curler.
“I thought that I had done it all until Lolly Gillen introduced me to the wonderful world of Squash 57. Squash is a sport I had never tried and never would have dreamed of being able to play. It’s fast paced and exhilarating, and I was hooked from my very first rally.
He said: “I really look forward to being part of Wheelchair Squash57’s growth and development across Canada and in giving others the opportunity to get on court and play a sport that’s easy to learn, fun to play and so addictive!”
Jeff recently took up the sport also after a chance encounter with Lolly, who is a member of the Squash57 Commission of the World Squash Federation.
“I’m missing half of the left side of my pelvis and am permanently paralysed in my left leg as a result. I now rely on crutches to move around and I thought my days of playing any kind of aerobic sports were over.
“With some good fortune in 2023, I met Lolly Gillen who has quickly taken me under her wing to teach me Squash57. Finally, I have a sport that gives me an aerobic workout. It is fast paced and extremely cathartic to feel so active once again.
“If there is anyone out there who’s been injured or endured some physical set back, Squash57 gives you the thrilling opportunity to get back on the court.”
Pakistan outclass India in Asian Junior Squash Team Championship final
Sports Bulletin Report
Chennai (India): Pakistan outclassed arch-rival India 2-0 in the final of the 21st Asian Junior Squash Team Championship 2023 to retain their title at Indian Squash Academy, Chennai India on Sunday.
In the first match, Noor Zaman Khan outplayed local guy Krishna Mishra 3-1 after displaying a top-quality game, as the match lasted just 35 minutes. The final score-line was 12/10, 9/11, 13/11, 11/9.
Meanwhile, in the second fixture, Mohammad Hamza Khan crushed out Paarth Ambani in straight games 3-0. The final-scorer-line was 11/7, 11/5, 11/4, as the match lasted 20 minutes.
Pakistan stun Malaysia 2-0 to meet arch-rival India in Asian Juniors final
Sports Bulletin Report
Chennai (India): Green Shirts were in rampant mood against Malaysia in the semifinal of the 21st Asian Junior Squash Team Championship in which they overpowered their opponent in a single-sided affair at Indian Squash Academy Chennai India on Saturday.
https://sports-bulletin.com/single?id=4541
Pakistan will take on traditional foes India in the final on Sunday at the same venue.
Pakistan beat Malaysia 2-0:
Noor Zaman Khan beat Harit Danail Bin Jefri (3-0) 15/13, 11/6, 11/6 (25 minutes)
Mohammad Ashab Irfan beat Shamiel Heayzad Bin Sharulhisam (3-0) 11/4, 11/8, 11/6 (24 minutes)
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