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Determined Lincou wants a 'French revolution' in squash
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KARACHI (AFP) - World number one and newly crowned Pakistan Open
squash champion Thierry Lincou says he is determined to bring
a French revolution to the sport.
The 29-year-old from Marseille began a hectic season with a
workman-like performance by clinching the
title in Karachi on Friday and hopes his achievements will
inspire others back home.
 "I want more for squash in France," Lincou told AFP. "It's a delight
to be the first Frenchman to be at the top of world rankings, but I
would like a French revolution in squash where we get more
television coverage."
His unflappable concentration and cucumber-cool nature carried him
through the 85,000-dollar event as he realised his ambition of
starting the new season with a win. |
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Lincou overcame Australian Anthony Ricketts in
the semis in four sets before he took another Aussie scalp, beating
world number three David Palmer in a gruelling final after five
sets.
"I think my hard work is paying off," he said. "My sport was not
followed much back home in the past, but it's getting more popular
day by day."
 Before winning the
world squash title
in Qatar last year, he said, he was a commoner in France, but since
reaching the top his fan club is getting bigger.
"Now people recognise me in Marseille and in my birthplace, Reunion
Island," said Lincou, whose Karachi victory came two years after he
lost to Egyptian Amr Shabana in the final of the 2003 world open in
Lahore, Pakistan.
And since he won the world title, more and more youths are attracted
to squash in France, with more female players coming to the fore, he
said. |
"Now
more and more youngsters play squash and squash clubs are full,"
said Lincou, who received his first national recognition when
President Jacques Chirac wrote him a letter to congratulate him
on his world title win.
 "President Chirac's letter is a treasure to me but I would want more
government recognition to a level that players get encouraged and
fare better." Without television coverage, Lincou fears, squash will
not become popular.
"Squash can't get the coverage football gets in France but still
there should be more coverage and more squash events to lift the
sport," said Lincou.
Following in his footsteps are fast-improving countrymen Gregory
Gaultier and Renan Lavigne. Gaultier is 12 in the world
rankings while Lavigne is at 27.
"Lincou has brought a change in French squash," agreed Gaultier, who
lost to eventual runner-up Palmer in the semi final of the Pakistan
open.
"Once we get squash on television and in schools, the sport will
progress by leaps and bounds," said Gaultier. "We have a role model
in Lincou to follow."
Original story, by Shahid Hashmi |
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