|
|
Ghosal comes of Age
23-Dec,
the Deccan Chronicle
 The
satisfaction of having landed a bronze medal at the Asian Games was
palpable on Saurav Ghosal's face. He has done India proud by
winning the country's lone squash medal at Doha.
Saurav Ghosal was a picture of confidence when he received the Rs
2.5-lakh reward that was given by the ICL squash academy for his
Asian Games achievement. Even for someone who is used to encomiums
showered on him at this venue, Thursday's celebration was different.
The reason was obvious: Saurav has done something no Indian has
achieved before.
 Though
he is elated with his show at Doha, Saurav says he could have even
won the gold medal. "I am happy that I have returned home with the
bronze medal. Ong Beng Hee is one of the best players in Asia and I
am satisfied that I gave my best against him in the semifinal. To
comeback well after dropping the first two games was a hugely
satisfying experience. He was the better player on that day and his
victory in the final put it beyond doubt where he stands in Asia",
he adds.
 The
journey from a diminutive spikehaired schoolboy to an Asian Games
medallist has been eventful for Saurav. He acknowledged the role
played by SRFI secretary N. Ramachandran and his coaches
Cyrus Poncha and Major Maniam in shaping his career. The
soft spoken Saurav conceded that he tried a little too hard in the
quarterfinal against his good friend Ritwik Bhattacharya. "When the
score was six-all in the third game I knew I was close and tried a
few things and lost. During the break I told myself to enjoy the
game and not put pressure on myself and the strategy paid off,"
points out Saurav.
 National
coach Cyrus Poncha is thrilled by his charge's feat.
"Saurav has made rapid strides in the last few years and it is
beginning to show. He is a true professional who does not complain
and he is always ready for the hard yards." Saurav had spent two
gruelling weeks in England under the watchful eyes of Cyrus, a
Dronacharya awardee, before the Doha Games. According to Cyrus,
there is no noticeable weakness in Saurav's game. The national
champion, the coach says, will improve with more exposure against
top players. Saurav's speed on the court has drawn effusive praise
from all quarters. His shot selection has also improved considerably
and technically the youngster seems to have plugged all holes.
Next on Saurav's agenda is a couple of top-tier PSA events in the
United States. His World ranking that currently stands at 49 is
likely to go up in the coming months as the events he is going to
compete will ensure a bagful of points if he does well. Sadly though
his performance in Doha will not give him direct entry to any top
event and he will have to go through the qualifiers.
"I am actually looking forward to playing the qualifiers, all top
tournaments consist of a 32-player field and that signifies the kind
of quality I will be up against".
Having conquered the top-50 in the PSA rankings and nailed India's
first squash medal in the Asiad, Saurav has set a tough benchmark
for himself, but blessed with an ability to see the brighter side of
things even when the chips are down Saurav should come up trumps in
his future assignments too.
Saurav at Doha:
R1: Beat Armando Amante (Macau) 9-0, 9-3, 9-0. R2: Beat Kim Dong Woo
(South Korea) 9-0, 9-3, 9-1. Qtr: Beat Ritwik Bhattacharya (India)
9-4, 9-0, 6-9, 9-7. Semi: Lost to Ong Beng Hee (Malaysia) 1-9, 2-9,
9-6, 4-9. |
WSF Update
Extracts from the World Squash Federation's Dec newsletter
Women’s World Open (Belfast)
Immediately after ManCom meetings, we headed to Belfast for the
Semis and Final of the 2006 Women’s World Open. Not to be outdone by
the fantastic Final of the Men’s World Open, Nicol David and Natalie
Grinham put on a marvellous display of Squash during a dramatic
match lasting 95 minutes.
Asian Games
(Doha, Qatar)
It was fantastic to witness the transformation of the Khalifa
International Tennis and Squash Complex, now with a state-of-the-art
All-Glass court/stadium and eight competition courts with moveable
walls (four with sizeable seating capacity for spectators).
And it was inspiring to see the dynamism of Squash in Asia as shown
by the sheer talent of athletes from 16 nations. Thank you to all
MNFs that participated and congratulations to Malaysia, Hong Kong,
Pakistan and India for picking up the medals.
Thank You Lorraine
It is with great sadness that we see Lorraine Harding leave WSF.
 In
what has been an emotional month and a half since her announcement,
my main feeling has been one of gratitude. Lorraine has given so
much to WSF it is difficult to know where to start thanking her.
Lorraine, you have been a pillar to WSF for the last 10 years, we
wish you all the best in your new career path and please stay in
touch.
WSF Chief Executive
The full 'Instant Update' |
|
|
 21-Dec-06:
Squash Confirmed as
Commonwealth Games 'core sport'
At a recent meeting in Malaysia, the Executive Board of the
Commonwealth Games Federation confirmed that Squash would be one of
the 'Core Sports' of the Games.
The decision came following a detailed report from the Federation's
Sports Committee pertaining to the Sports programme of the Games.
It was agreed that Squash would be one of ten sports which "shall be
obligatory" on the programme – including Athletics, Aquatics
(Swimming), Badminton, Boxing, Hockey, Lawn Bowls, Netball (Women),
Rugby Sevens (Men) and Weightlifting.
 “The
Commonwealth Games Sports Programme is proudly 'of and for the
Commonwealth of Nations'," said Michael Hooper, Chief
Executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation. "Squash’s addition
to the list of core sports for future editions of the Commonwealth
Games is reflective of this and the sport's overall depth and
quality within the Commonwealth today.
"Since the sport's introduction to the Games programme in 1998, the
level of participation and excellence continues to grow and at the
recent Commonwealth Games in Melbourne we saw 29 participating
nations. With the commitment to the sport's further development
across the Commonwealth by World Squash, we expect to see this
continue to rise – we welcome Squash as a core partner within the
Commonwealth Games movement.”
 Jahangir
Khan, the record ten-times British Open champion who is
President of the World Squash Federation (WSF), added: "WSF is
delighted to be named a Core Sport for future editions of the
Commonwealth Games and I would like to thank President Michael
Fennell and the team at the CGF for acknowledging Squash's role
toward the success of the Games.
"Squash and the Commonwealth Games form a natural partnership
because the sport is played in virtually every Commonwealth country
- and the level is truly world-class, as demonstrated in Melbourne.
"WSF looks forward to working with the CGF to ensure the success of
Delhi 2010 and future editions," Khan concluded.
|
Men’s A Final: Liam Kenny
beat John Rooney
11/9 ,11/6, 11/6
Ladies A Final : Madeline Perry beat Aisling Blake
9/3, 9/2, 9/4 |
17-Dec-06
Kenny and Perry claim ILTB National Titles
 Liam Kenny
and Madeline Perry both secured comfortable wins in taking
their respective ILTB National titles at Fitzwilliam LTC. Kenny, the
defending champion overcame Galway’s No. 3 seed John Rooney 11/9
11/6 11/6 in 40 minutes. This was the first Men’s final since 1989
not to feature Derek Ryan. Rooney demonstrated, in his victory over
Ryan in the semi final, that he was back to full fitness having
suffered with illness over the past two years.
 The
first game started at a blistering pace with both players keen to
control the “T”. An error from Rooney at 9-all followed by a stroke
to Kenny gave him the first game. Kenny got ahead at the start of
the next two games and never looked back in securing his fourth
title.
The women’s event saw Madeline Perry reclaim the title she had to
rescind last year due to injury. Perry has, despite her own injury
problems, been on the up over the last twelve months, rising to a
career high of 6 in the December World Rankings. The score line (9/3
9/4 9/2) did little justice to Blake who herself has made strides up
the world rankings to a career high of 40. Each game was hard fought
with Perry able to get a run of points going in each set to break
her opponent and claim her eighth National title.
In the Men’s B Kevin Knox of Waterford overcame young Ulster star
John Roberts in four games. Keith Bullen of Old Belvedere retained
his Over 40 title with a comfortable win over Fitzwilliam’s own Jim
Flynn. The Men’s Over 35 saw David Ayherst of Belfast – a newcomer
to the event, defeat Fitzwilliam LTC Pro Eoin Ryan in three sets and
in the Ladies Over 35 Michele Jackson from Belfast beat
Fitzwilliam’s Dee Hourihane in a tight five games.
|
12-Dec, Peshawar:
FARHAN MEHBOOB WINS CHIEF OF THE AIR STAFF
NATIONAL JUNIOR SQUASH CHAMPIONSHIP 2006
The final match and the closing
 ceremony
of The Chief of the Air Staff National Junior Squash Championship
2006 was held on Tuesday, at PAF Squash Complex, Peshawar. Air Chief
Marshal Tanvir Mehmood Ahmed, Chief of the Air Staff, who is also
the President of Pakistan Squash Federation, was the chief guest on
the occasion.
The Air Chief witnessed the final match of under 19 Category, played
between Farhan Mahboob and Farzan Rashed. Farhan Mehboob won
the Championship Trophy by the score of 9/3, 9/7, 1/9, 9/5. The
Chief Guest distributed prizes among the winners at the end of the
ceremony.
The detailed results of the other
categories are as under:-
 Tayyab
Aslam bt Faheem Gul 9/6, 9/2, 7/9, 9/1
(Under 11)
Nasir Iqbal bt Nematullah 6/9, 9/6, 10/8, 9/1
(Under 13)
Nowsherawan bt Aurangzeb Khan 9/2, 10/9, 5/9, 9/6
(Under 15)
Waqar Mehboob bt Farhan Zaman 3/9, 9/7, 9/5, 9/2 (Under
17)
Farhan Mehboob bt Farzan Rashed 9/3, 9/7, 1/9, 9/5
(Under 19)
The Championship was held from 07 to
12 December, 2006. It carried the
prize money of Rs. 2,00,000/-. 246 players from all over the
country,
including all national seeded junior players, and 6 players from
Iran
participated in the championship in the categories of under 11, 13,
15, 17, and 19 years. |
STOP PRESS, 06-Dec:
Uproar over Guernsey
court closure plans
 Plans
by Kings Life leisure centre, the spiritual home of
Guernsey’s most successful sport which yielded a world champion, a
British Open champion and several England internationals, to halve
its squash courts from four to two is causing uproar on the Channel
Island.
Leading figures in local squash claim it would destroy the sport as
two courts would be insufficient to hold tournaments and leagues.
At a heated meeting at the club this week, its new managing
director, Mark Shaw, told more than 60 people of plans to lose the
courts to make way for extensions to the gym and beauty salon ...
Full story from This
Is Guernsey |
"Closures could kill our sport"
"I certainly believe it would be wrong to reduce the number of
courts. It’s not their job to have those two courts, but they have a
responsibility not to kill squash that is a sport that has been
prolific for a number of years. It seems ridiculous that for short-
term commercial gain they will kill a sport. There were a lot of
cross and disappointed people at the meeting."
Paul Luxon |
 Kings
made me into a professional
"It’s really disappointing especially with the standard of squash on
the island at the moment. Junior squash is really good and there are
lots of good players coming through. There will be nowhere for them
to go if they don’t find anywhere else to play. The sport will
struggle."
Full interview from This is Guernsey |
Olympic hope for Squash ?
 KARACHI
- President of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Jacques
Rogge said he did not see cricket being included in the Olympic
Games in the near future. On his first visit to Pakistan, Rogge told
reporters in Lahore that although cricket was a popular sport he did
not see it becoming part of the Olympic family.
“Neither has the International Cricket Council approached the IOC
for consideration,” he said. Rogge, however, said that the issue of
squash being included in the Summer Games would be discussed in 2009
when the host city for the 2016 Olympiad are decided.
|
Squash misses out
Squash came
agonizingly close to being included in the 2012 Olympics ... |
|
|
 Australia,
21-Nov:
Shorts has learnt that Norman Fry, Chief Executive of Squash
Australia, has resigned his position, effective 21st January 2007.
More details to follow ... |
New Zealand, 10-Nov:
All Change in New Zealand
In the space of a week Squash New Zealand has lost its CEO and
Head Coach, with the resignations of Peter Fergusson and Dave
Clarke. Dary Denvir reports ...
Fergusson
on the move
After four years at the helm of the organisation, Peter Fergusson
has handed in his notice, to take up the role of CEO with Franchise
Association of New Zealand.
 "It's
not a decision that has come easily, after making a lot of good
friends in the game.
"However, after more than a decade of involvement in sports
administration, the opportunity to return to a challenging role in
the commercial sector was too good to turn down."
Fergusson will leave Squash New
Zealand on November 10, although he will return to assist with the
Annual General Meeting later in the year.
And Clarke to depart too
New Zealand's top squash players
will no longer be under the watchful eye of coach Dave Clarke
in 2007, Clarke has handed in his resignation as national coach,
after five years in the job.
 His
replacement will have big shoes to fill, with New Zealand enjoying
immense success in recent times. Dave Clarke has guided teams to
numerous medals at World Championship and Commonwealth Games level,
including two golds at the Manchester Games in 2002.
Remarkably, the high standards have been maintained despite the
retirement of two world number one players, with Leilani Rorani
hanging up her racquet in 2002 and Carol Owens following suit in
2004.
 "I'm
proud of the success New Zealand has attained during my stint as
coach.
"I'm also pleased to be leaving the organisation with good
structures and plans in place for the future."
Departing Squash New Zealand CEO
Peter Fergusson says Dave Clarke will be sorely missed by the New
Zealand Squash fraternity.
 "Dave's
achievements 'on court' during his time in the role are numerous and
reflect his outstanding capability as an elite coach - but perhaps
the greatest impact that the sport will feel, with his departure,
will be 'off court'.
"Dave's dedication, tireless work behind the scenes, the values he
has brought to the squash environment and, particularly, the close
relationships he has formed with players (and parents) within our
sport have been the 'glue' that has pulled the High Performance
programme together over the past 5 years."
Dave Clarke will finish at Squash
New Zealand on December 31.
NewsTalk
ZB
radio
interview with Dave
|
 Newstalk
ZB
Interview with
Dave Clarke
Sasha
Lubenetskaya, just 7 years
old, competing in St Petersburg
India, 10-Nov:
Maharashtra
Title for Mandy
Top seeds Gaurav Nandrajog and Mandy Kennedy brought
off hard-fought victories over their second seeded rivals
Harinderpal Singh and Shivangi Paranjpe respectively to clinch the
open and women's titles in the Bombay Gymkhana Maharashtra State
Open Squash championship.
Nandrajog defeated his fellow-Chennai rival Harinderpal 2-9, 7-9,
10-8, 9-0, 9-2 in a marathon five-game battle that lasted an hour
and 12 minutes in the Open final.
Earlier, UK-born and Mumbai-based Mandy fought off a stiff challenge
from another local girl Shivangi in 35 minutes with a 7-9, 9-4, 9-6,
9-4 victory in the women's title-clash.
Full story from newKerala
Ice and a pint eases the
pain for Shahier in Detroit
|
United Kingdon, 11-Nov:
Duffield make final shortlist
 As
the race hots up for the prestigious BBC Sports Personality of the Year
award (what do you mean, you haven't nominated Peter Nicol yet
- do it now!!!), PSL Champions Benz Bavarian Duffield have made the
final shortlist for "East Midlands Team of the Year", alongside
Leicestershire County Cricket Club and Leicestershire Ladies hockey.
Duffield supremo Brian Hargrave will be at the Assembly Rooms in
Derby on 27th November to hear the announcement of the winners, which will
be broadcast live on BBC Radio and on a webcast. Fingers crossed !!! |
Make Your Nominations
Full East Mids
nominations |
Canada, 01-Nov:
Power enters Canada's
Sports Hall of Fame
From Squash Canada
TORONTO- When Toronto's Jonathon Power was officially
inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame on Wednesday night his
first thoughts were for the people who helped him become one of the
world's most successful professional squash players.
 Power,
who retired from the professional
circuit last winter, is in fact only the second-ever squash
player ever inducted to the Hall (after Heather Wallace).
The 32-year-old, was one of the most entertaining players in pro
squash. Aside from his dazzling play, he was famous for his humorous
bantering with opponents and officials and infamous at times for his
temper tantrums which drew a comparison to tennis great John
McEnroe. But it all helped popularize the sport throughout the
world.
Currently Power is working hard at promoting the sport both in
Canada and the U.S., running camps and clinics. He doesn't miss
competing on the professional circuit which literally took him to
all four corners of the world every year. Annual events were usually
scheduled in Pakistan, Hong Kong, Egypt, Qatar as well as in Europe
and Australia.
Power started playing squash at the age seven on the Canadian
military base in Comox, B.C., where his father was director of
athletics. He turned pro at age 16 and in his career won 32 PSA Tour
titles and reached 61 finals. He won the world title in 1998 and the
Commonwealth Games gold in 2002.
He won five tournaments in 2005 and climbed back to the number-one
spot in the world rankings for the first time in four years.
It was the longest gap between successive number-one rankings since
the rankings were established in the early eighties. He was also the
oldest player to be ranked number-one. In 2006 he was off to a great
start reaching the finals in the opening two tournaments.
One of the greatest sport rivalries in recent years were the epic
battles between Power and Britain's Peter Nicol, the Ali-Frazier
equivalent for squash fans. They evenly split their head-to-head
battles at 20 wins apiece.
Gene Turk, the head coach of the men's national team says
Power has left a lasting legacy not only for Canadian squash players
but for athletes in all sports.
''It's really an honour for our sport to have an athlete inducted
into the Hall,'' said Turk. ''Jonathon has shown Canadians that if
you believe and work hard you can get to the top in the word. He's
been a real inspiration and hopefully that'll motivate all Canadians
to look that far ahead.''
Joe Hattori, the president of Squash Canada, is also thrilled
to see Power headed to the Hall.
''Jonathon being inducted into the Canadian Sports Hall of Fame is
another stepping stone in an already illustrious career,'' said
Hattori.
''For squash in Canada it adds to the profile of the sport which has
been enhanced by Jonathon's achievements at the world level. It is
wonderful to see that Jonathon wishes to stay involved and add to
the growth of squash in Canada.'' |
Pam's Power-Plate
Israel, 01-Nov:
Wilensky crowned Israel's National Champion
Nadav Wilensky, 27, who trains and coaches at the Ra'anana Municipal
Squash Centre, is the new national squash champion, winning the title at
the national championships last week at the Herzliya Squash Centre.
As a youngster, Wilensky won several national junior titles and
represented the country in junior competitions overseas.
After army service, he took a four-year break from the sport before
returning to the courts two years ago. Since his return, he has played on
the national team at the 2005 and 2006 European championships and he won
the bronze medal at the 2005 Maccabiah Games.
Wilensky defeated Israel's 17-year-old junior champion, Ido Avron from
Herzliya, in the semifinals, and beat Nir Arkin, 21 and also from Herzliya,
after Arkin had to withdraw in the middle of the first game due to an
injury.
The Jerusalem Post |
Bermuda, 31-Oct
Nick
finds it tough
 Nick
Kyme leaves for Canada this week to compete in the biggest squash
tournament he’s been involved in so far this season.
But the Island’s number one admitted yesterday that after three
challenging and often fruitless years as a professional player, he is
struggling both mentally and physically with the rigours of what at times
can be a soul-destroying life.
 The
world number 69 has been back at home for a week now for a mini-holiday,
having moved to Belgium in September to put himself under the wing of one
of the world’s top coaches in Australian Shaun Moxham – a move he
said at the time was a last roll of the dice for him in terms of making it
into at least the world’s top 50.
Yet after five weeks of training in the Belgian city of Antwerp, the
25-year-old flew to North America for the usual Autumn circuit of
tournaments and ended up losing in the first round of three straight
events.
"I’m pretty low on confidence right now. I’m struggling with my
motivation, I’m struggling with injury and I’m struggling with my game in
general.
"I’ve enjoyed some aspects of the training in Belgium so far, but I was
really disappointed with the way I played in the last three tournaments. I
played horribly and particularly in my last match against Robin Clarke, I
don’t think I could have played any worse."
Full story from Sam Stevens, the Royal Gazette |
Belfast ready for Worlds
CYBERSPACE, 1994:
How it all began
In 1994 the
Internet Squash Federation was the only place to look online for your
squash info ... some of it is still there ...
 |
|
Yorkshire, 31-Oct:
Dublin a Fair City for Harford
by Fred Willis, Leeds Today
A Leeds-based professional has upset the seedings to take the
Leinster Open Championship in Dublin with a masterful display.
 Jon
Harford, now in his second season playing for
Chapel Allerton,
joined the Yorkshire Premiership side's squad last season, helping
them to win the title.
Since then Harford has come on leaps and bounds and is now aiming to
break through the 100 world ranking barrier.
He was recommended to Chapel by Gloucestershire county colleague
Alister Walker, also in his second season at the club.
Harford, seeded fourth, took his debut PSA Tour title by defeating
Italian Luca Mastrostefano, the second seed,
In the quarters Harford put out Ireland's John Rooney while in the
semis his victim was the favourite Mohd Ali Anwar Reda (Egypt), all
ousted in straight game.
Chapel Allerton Premiership team boss Mike Dickens hailed the
23-year-old's success as a stunning triumph for the player and a big
boost for the north Leeds club.
"He has proved a fine addition to our club where he is a very
popular figure with the juniors he coaches," said Dickens, who added
that it was tremendous to have such talent at the club which helped
to give it some world-class status.
Harford has a reputation for being a stylish, steady player who can
often produce winning nicks which prove energy-sapping for his
rivals.
In the Dublin final Harford played several precision shots to
outsmart his opponent. And as he turned the final screw of dominance
Harford finished by producing near exhibition play, hitting some
fine nicks with his brilliant technique.
Only recently Harford was a member of the British Universities Team
which won a gold medal in Hungary in the
World Varsity
Championships.
Success in the Dublin event meant it was third time lucky for
Harford after winning his first title in his third PSA final. |
India, 01-Nov:
Joshna Eyes at least a Bronze
 These
days Joshna Chinappa hardly has spare time. Practice and
fitness routines take away much of this squash champion's daily
time. Just a month away from the Doha Asian Games, Joshna has set
her plans and goals.
"Winning a bronze medal at least," is Joshna's primary goal and she
believes, as she set off for Mumbai en route to Cairo for her last
phase of preparation, that this is within the realms of possibility,
particularly after the progress she has made on the WISPA circuit
lately.
Impressive climb
Currently ranked 42, she has jumped nine slots recently because of
two wonderful performances in the U.S. (reaching the final in one
tournament and the semifinal in another).
Working with the Egyptian coach, Mohammad Medhaat, a former
international player, Joshna felt that she had it in her to make
further progress. "
Not only is he concentrating on my technique and shot-making but he
is also my sparring partner. His stress on fitness and flexibility
is doing a lot of good," she said, while admitting that she still
has to improve.
For the next three weeks, Joshna will be in Cairo, training, playing
in clubs, in local tournaments and against some of the best-known
players of the world. "No, I will not be facing any of the Asian
rivals there," she said.
Tough opponents
Joshna believes that her true challenge would come against the likes
of World champion Nicol David, Rebecca Chiu and Sharon Wee. "Based
on what the draw will be I think I should aim for a silver and
perhaps settle for a bronze," she said.
Selected under the Mittal Champions Trust and also a Brand
Ambassador of Canara Bank, Joshna's financial needs have been taken
care of. With a dietician to help her and a coach to tune her, the
Indian is all set.
The SRFI has also cleared her plans. "I had sent them details of my
coaching plans and schedules," Joshna said, while acknowledging the
Federation's gesture in sending her entry for the Games.
The Hindu |
India, 01-Nov:
Mandy aims for Indian double.
 Mandy
Kennedy, the English ex-pat who surprised everyone - including
herself - to
win the Otters Open in August, will
be aiming to add a second title as she competes in the the 31st
Bombay Gymkhana Maharashtra State Open Squash Championship from
November 5 to 10 at the Bombay Gymkhana.
The event features over 450 players, although India's top-ranked men
and women - Ritwik Bhattacharya, Saurav Ghosal, Joshna Chinappa and
Dipika Pallikal - are missing the event due to other touyrnament
commitments and preparation for the Asian Games. |
|
''I
guess it's a bit out of the normal realm to have a squash player in there
but I'm excited about it. I found out last May and it was totally unexpected
and overwhelming.''
