Shabana & Ashour in Edmonton 21 Feb 2008 - Jeff Sneyd reports
On the front page of Thursday mornings 'Edmonton Journal' sports page was a large photograph of Ramy Ashour setting up for wicked backhand drive with World Champion Amr Shabana waiting on the T. With the Oilers (NHL hockey team) slumping, this picture was a seemingly better front page news article for Edmonton sports fans. With nearly 200 spectators in the gallery, Royal Glenora squash members witnessed one of the best exhibition matches of all time. High caliber rallies, powerful Ashour forehands, amazing Shabana lobs, the crowd was in a frenzy. At one point one fan (Jeremy Main, close friend of Shabana) yelled "come on old man" to Shabana to give him an extra push in the fifth and deciding game and Shabana literally pulled up his shorts and went on to win the match 11-9 in the final game. Another highlight in the match saw both Shabana and Ashour use their racquet handles to hit the ball for a good 30 seconds. Some talent! These guys were dazzling the crowd with their Egyptian style of play --- going for nicks, counter drop after counter drop, jump shot overhands and real crowd pleasing pounding hard drives. Before the exhibition Royal Glenora junior players took part in a junior squash session with technical tips and on court play with the number 1 and number 2 squash players in the world. Hope you guys come back for our future PSA event!