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PORTRAITS
NATALIA
HISHAM
SAURAV
JONATHON |
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PAUL WALTERS:
GOING BOLDLY WHERE …
Paul has one of those personalities, one of those
auras, ambitions, ways of thinking, that can annoy,
enchant, anger or dazzle.
I’m one of the many admirers and supporters of the
man…
From the first time I met him, about two years ago,
I was seduced by his drive and vision for our sport.
I’m not saying that he is perfect, who is apart from
me, but I believe that he is good for squash, and
that history will remember him as one of the people
who’ve helped to take our game into the 21st
century.
“iSPORTmarketing™ were only granted the rights for
the British Open from England Squash in August, and
when we took on the challenge, we knew that such an
event was an enormous strain on the company, and
that it could take “iSPORTmarketing™ down
financially if it all went wrong. But we thought it
was worth it. And we were right. “
But of course, to set up such an event at such short
notice (5 weeks), you need help, and plenty …
“We are indebted to Manchester City Council, Dunlop
and England Squash for their considerable support in
helping to make this year’s event possible,” says
the promoter as we are sitting outside the National
Centre.
“Whilst the British Open has an unrivalled heritage
and is historically considered the sport's blue
riband event, we also recognise the Championships'
recent troubled history, and we have asked the
players to “buy-in” to iSPORTmarketing™ and our
ambition and plan to establish a uniquely formatted
event worthy of the Championships' history.”
Manchester City Council have invested a tremendous
amount of resource in the event - and nothing,
nothing would have been possible without them - and
so did Dunlop, supporting Paul and his dream of
carrying the torch of the prestigious event.
“Dunlop stepped in, and what is remarkable, is not
only the size of their investment, but also the
speed with which they came in. In one day, Dunlop
backed me up. Any other company would have taken
months. And you cannot ignore that…”
And if this year’s event is any reflection of what
may come tomorrow, I think the Dunlop British Open
has a striking future….
“Yesterday, we sold out and turned people away, as
we were at full capacity, 600 people per session,
and two sessions. And the reason why we moved the
final from the Saturday to the Monday is because we
needed to do those two sessions yesterday and we
also we wanted to play more than just the finals on
the Sunday, to maximise ticket revenue to try to
break even this year, which I’m proud to say we’ve
succeeded to do.”
“And that by itself is already a tremendous
achievement that realistically couldn’t have been
achieved without the support of Manchester City
Council, in particular Jim Quigley, Yawar Abbas and
Nicky Maloney who are greatly responsible for the
success of this event, not forgetting that they also
ran the Gerrard Grand Prix a few weeks ago. On the
first couple of days of the tournament, Nicky was
actually feeling quite poorly and that was mostly
due to the amount of work that she and her
colleagues had put in…All that has been done here
has been managed and organised by Jim and his team,
and Rachel Pullan, my assistant, and myself handled
the marketing side of things.”
Paul has a vision for the Dunlop British Open Squash
Championships. Yes, this year, the prize level is
below that which one could rightfully expect from
the World’s leading event. But the man is in the
process of growing the Championships from the ground
up with a new way of thinking, that sometimes
doesn’t go too well with “traditional critics who
fail to think out-of-the-box”, as Paul puts it…
“Nobody likes change, but the truth is there. What
was done for the past 10years didn’t work. And we
need to adapt. We need to change. And I’ve got a
vision for the British…
"First, I would like to have it as a showcase for
the best players in the world. But also, I would
like it to leave behind a legacy. In the same way
that the Commonwealth Games left a legacy in
Manchester, where a brand new building was built,
where you now have many competitions played here, I
would like the British to be played in different
cities, and that from the foundation created by the
Championships, would spring out a brand new event in
that city. Maybe, we’ll have one year here in
Manchester, and one year elsewhere, but that’s my
vision, to create a pyramid of events all over Great
Britain with the Dunlop British Open at the
pinnacle.”
And he also wants to inject dynamism into the
Masters Events as well…
“I would have liked to have the Masters in the same
facility as the main event this year, but
unfortunately it was logistically not possible. We
recognise the value of the Masters events and their
contribution towards the British Open’s unique
‘feel’ and standing in the game, and I can assure
you that the age group categories will be a key
focus for us in this and future years.
Already this year, they were offered free ticket
entry to the main event, and most of the Masters are
now attending the Championships, which gives a
special atmosphere to the place.”
Yes, a special atmosphere it is. Next year the event
will probably be staged in a bigger venue, with
certainly a bigger budget, but let me tell you, the
matches are played in front of a numerous and
appreciative crowd. And at the end of the day,
surely, that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it? |
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 Natalia
Tarjanyi
Malcolm Willstrop brings a Hungarian guest to the
Open ...
Recently at the Hungarian Open in Budapest I met
Natalie, who was organising the event.
For some years now she has run ATP tournaments at
the Romai Tennis Akademia and the Hungarian Open for
Jeno Marky, the owner of the centre and the main
mover.
Her organising ability and the fact that she has a
master's degree in political science as well as
being fluent in Hungarian, English and Italian,
suggests that she is highly competent.
She told me that she was intending to visit the
British Open and would be very interested in working
in England in sport and in squash in particular.
So between us James and I have tried to make sure
her visit was as pleasant and productive as
possible.
On the first day she spent the evening at Pontefract
Squash Club and I think was impressed with the
friendliness of the place.
For someone who doesn't play Natalia clearly enjoys
watching and from what I can gauge, Peter Nicol is
her favourite player. So she had a real treat
watching Peter's brilliant match with Thierry.
She has had conversations with major domo Jim
Quigley and with so many significant sporting events
forthcoming under the auspices of the excellent
Manchester City Council's leisure department, maybe
there will be a time in the near future when Natalia
will become part of the squash scene, where she has
a great deal to offer.
Having studied for her masters degree Natalia's
English is better than a lot of the natives, and her
verbal abilities and quick humour have caused me
much hurt during her stay. She also has a lot of
friends in England, so should she ever work in this
country she would quickly settle I am sure.
She already has many friends on the squash tour,
including Peter, John White and Jonathon Power from
her involvement in the Hungarian Open.
Whatever her future in squash in England holds,
James and I hope she has enjoyed her brief stay and
her visits to the Dunlop British Open.
Malcolm Willstrop |
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JONATHON POWER,
THE “SWITCH ON/OFF” MAGICIAN…
 On
the circuit, there are a few players I’ve come to
get rather close to, for different reasons, but most
of all because we see each other a lot. As I’m sure
you are aware, I live in London, England, a country
where the Leagues in particular attract a lot of
talents. But some players live quite far away, like
the Canadians for example, and I have less chance to
meet with them and to learn to know them…
And that’s why I can honestly say that I didn’t know
who Jonathan Power was. Seen him on court, yes. Had
a few quick chats after matches, yes. But who he is
really?
Not a clue.
I had glimpses. Things he did that showed how
fragile he could be, or how patient, understanding
and caring he was, but it was just a feeling, vague
and imprecise.
Of course, I do not pretend to know him after just
an hour of discussion, but I start to have a better
idea of how he functions, what he doesn’t like, and
what he stands for. And he is probably one of the
most complex and at the same time, the most simple
personalities I’ve had the chance to meet….
You seem to have come out of your terrible
year of constant injuries…
Yes, I have now understood where the problem
was. When I was young, I didn’t train as much and as
regularly as I should have, I wasn’t lazy, but my
training lacked in consistency, and that’s what
caused the repetitive injuries I sustained. Now I’m
less quick to pat myself on the back and say it’s
time to party…
So how do you feel at the moment?
Well, I’m much fitter than I was when I was
younger, that’s for sure. You know, in the past two
to three years, the standard of the game has risen
dramatically. When I was young, I was getting away
with murder, I could have been fat, unfit, and still
make the final of a tournament. But now, with all
those talented players on the circuit, the
competition is amazing, and it seems that there are
more and more young players coming up all the time.
Before, you needed to be fit for roughly two
matches, semis and finals, but now, you’ve got to be
able to sustain four or five matches.
Do you still enjoy being on the circuit?
I enjoy playing, and the buzz, the feeling
you get when you win the matches is second to none.
But I’m not trying to achieve ranking, and that’s
why I sometimes don’t go on the obvious tournaments,
where I could get more points, I’m not trying and
have a career plan, I don’t care about that, I just
go to the places I want to play, and try to enjoy
the last years of squash I’ve got left.
What are the most important tournaments for
you?
I guess the events that I play “at home”, as
in Toronto, or in the US, New York, etc, any events
that help build the profile of the game in North
America are crucial for me. And of course the World
Open, as since its creation, it has gradually become
The major title, and it’s a good one to have.
Not the British?
Not as much as it was ten years ago. The
British used to be such an event, but for different
reasons, it has lost its feeling a little, but
hopefully they are in the process of rebuilding its
image.
How do you cope with being away from home?
Nobody likes to stay away for weeks, months
sometimes, but I’ve been doing it for 15 years, and
I’m able to separate my squash from my life, and
make a separation in my mind. I wish Sita was with
me more often when I go on tour, I wish I could have
my trainer with me as well, but it’s not financially
feasible when you go on some tournaments. Because
after all, we are here to make money, (he laughs)
even if it doesn’t always work out!!!!
You mentioned separating your squash from your
life. Are you really able to do so?
Oh yes. On the court, I’m competitive, I
like the fight, I like the competition, and it’s all
about me and my goals. But I don’t like it outside
the court that much, it’s exhausting!
“More laid back you’d fall” comes to mind?
Yes (he laughs), pretty much…
And you also mentioned your wife Sita. You’ve
known her for a long time I believe.
We’ve been living together for 13 years, and
we got married after 7 years together. …
How you do describe her?
I would need a thousand words to describe her. And
that’s what I love about Sita, it’s that you can’t
pin her down with a few words, the same way you
can’t pin me down with a few sentences, because the
words that would describe her today would not be
correct and would have changed in three days, and
again three days later.
She is fundamental to your life, isn’t she?
Pretty much yes. Sita gives me perspective
in my life, and stability outside squash. If I was
living with somebody very much involved in the
squash world, who would speak to me of squash all
the time, it would be too much for me. When I met
her, she never even heard of squash, and that was
perfect for me. She reminds me, shows me what is
really important in my life, that there is time for
squash, and then time for family, time for different
things.
You do like your life, don’t you?
Very much. Being a pro squash player is a
good lifestyle. I’m good at squash, and it’s very
pleasant to do something you are good at, it gives
you positive reinforcement. It’s nice to get that
feeling, even if it doesn’t last forever. But it’s
important to hear, to be told, to be reassured that
you are good sometimes…
Just a last word.
How would you like people to remember you?
I would like people to remember that, where
I came from, there was no history of squash, and
that I played an important role in the development
of squash in North America, and that I’ve tried to
make it easier for people like me who have the same
aspirations.
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Saurav Prospering
In Pontefract
by Malcolm Willstrop
I first saw Saurav at the World Junior Championships
in Chennai in 2002 when, at the age of 16, he
performed with credit. He dealt very well with the
attention and adulation he received and I remember
being impressed.
When a few months ago Major Maniam contacted me to
see if it was possible for Saurav to become a part
of the Pontefract set-up, as he was about to come to
university in England, I was quite happy to have
him.
As I understand Saurav is academic and more than one
university were very happy to take him. Since Leeds
was one of those universities it was quickly
established that that was where he would be going,
to read politics.
Once he arrived in September, settled at the
University, his father quickly purchased a car for
him so that the journeys from Leeds to Pontefract
could be easily undertaken.
Saurav, since then, has become almost a daily
regular at Pontefract, where he is quickly profiting
from his involvement with Lee Beachill, James
Willstrop and Ong Beng Hee amongst others.
His technique, which is hardly orthodox, has already
improved and he also needs to slow down, since he is
immensely busy on court and very quick.
He will mostly play for Pontefract in the Yorkshire
Premier League and made his debut against Abbeydale
a couple of weeks ago. His first appearance at home
was against Huddersfield and the crowd readily took
to him, since he is an engaging character, friendly,
with a ready smile.
He began with two 3/0 wins, but there will be harder
tasks ahead for him. He is also registered for
Manchester/Pontefract in the Premier League.
Although Saurav has played several events on the PSA
World Tour and enjoys a world ranking in the 70’s,
playing at the Dunlop British Open was his first
tilt at a 5 star event.
In the qualifiers he put aside Chris Gordon of the
USA 3/0 and then had what was probably the best win
of his career when he beat Egypt’s
Hisham Ashour, who
is world ranked 46, 3/1.
This meant that he had qualified for the first round
proper and he drew former the world number one and
hardest hitter in the game, John White. Quite a
prospect for him.
For his practice partner on the morning of his match
with John, he had the famous Canadian, Jonathon
Power. Saurav admitted to being more nervous about
practising with Jonathon than playing John.
In the match itself Saurav performed with much
credit, especially in the second game, when he put
together a series of well-constructed rallies.
He appears to have settled well at Leeds University,
he is certainly comfortable at Pontefract and he
will be greatly encouraged by his performances in
Manchester. So to date all is going well and I am
sure it will continue to do so.
Saurav can hardly fail to prosper at Pontefract and
with his ability and pleasant disposition the club
will benefit from having him.
Malcolm Willstrop
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Framboise meets
Hisham Mohd Ashour
The
older Brother of the Ashour family, and the Sweet
talker one… He is such a charmer ... mind you, if
you have it, flaunt it, they say… A perfect English,
strong sense of humour, and according to his coach
Ashraf Hanafi, one of the most gifted players, with
a ball control he compares to Shabana and Jonathan
Power.
"Peter Nicol told me that Hisham’s game is very
difficult to read, as he holds the ball very well in
the front in particular," Ashraf starts…
With an introduction like that, it’s surprising that
the young man dropped from his best 32 ranking to
his actual 45.
"After a very good Hong Kong Open last year, where I
beat Cameron Pilley and Omar, and lost to David
Palmer in four", Hisham tells me, "I had a sort of
mental break down, due I guess to a lack of good
performance. I kept losing in the first round of
every tournament I entered. And I realised that my
main problem was fitness.
"So I have now starting training harder I ever
trained before, targeting specifically the fitness
side, and I’m now in the best shape of my life. I
had also to stop playing the Junior way, as in going
for every shot, and switch to the Professional way,
and start building up the rallies…"
And Shabana’s example is helping Hisham to
concentrate on his weaknesses. But when I told
Ashraf that Shabana’s career sprung after he got
married, he smiled "Hisham has got a very nice girl
friend, but let’s keep the wife for the next stage,
and concentrate on the fitness and on the squash
side of things for now…"
Sorry Hisham, I tried ...
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