Egypt complete the Grand Slam in Tauranga

Egypt have completed the clean sweep, adding the team’s title to the men’s and women’s trophies they will take home from the World Junior Squash Championship in Tauranga.
With the top four seeded women in the tournament they were always going to be hard to beat and so it proved with a 2-0 win against Malaysia to add a sixth consecutive title to their burgeoning trophy cabinet.
Women’s champion Rowan El Araby sealed the victory and celebrated her 17th birthday with a 3-1  win against Andrea Lee. It looked like an easy win as Araby stormed through the first two games, but Lee fought back well, taking the third and leading for most of the fourth.
It came after Hania El Hammamy, who El Araby had beaten six days earlier in the women’s final, defeated Sivasangari Subramaniam 3-1 in a match of such quality it defied their teenage years.
“I’m just so happy to be able to do this with my team,” El Araby said. She was especially pleased El Hammamy could now call herself a champion. “I love her, she is my friend and it’s amazing for her; and for me to be able to share this happiness with her.”
Egypt coach Omar Abdel Aziz said it had been hard to motivate the players after the individuals tournament because with the four top seeds, they had all hoped to win.
“I had to get them back up psychologically. It was step by step, match by match to get here. We didn’t talk about the trophy, just the matches.”
Egypt have, for a long time now, been the powerhouse in squash and Aziz admitted the bar was high in terms of selections. “And the production line is always there,” Aziz said.

Malaysia coach Andrew Cross felt his players were sluggish early in their matches but had only praise for Egypt and their domination of world squash.
“My girls have done well. We wanted to be in the final so they have done that and I’m proud of how they competed with Egypt, but both Rowan and Hania played better today than they did in the individual final.”

Earlier at the Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre New Zealand improved on their eighth seeding, finishing seventh with a comprehensive 2-0 win against Germany, Kaitlyn Watts beating Saskia Beinhard 3-1 before Anna Hughes dispatched Kacenka Tycova 3-0.
Before that match the USA beat India 2-1 to finish fifth. The losing semifinalists, Hong Kong China and England don’t play off for third, instead sharing the bronze medal.

FINAL    playing order 1, 2, 3

[1] Egypt 2-0 [2] Malaysia

Hania El Hammam 3-1 Sivasangari Subramaniam 11/8, 11/8, 6/11, 11/9 (44m)
Rowan Reda Araby 3-1 Andrea Lee      11/4, 11/4, 9/11, 11/7 (37m)
3rd/4th: England and Hong Kong both receive Bronze medals

5th/6th:  USA 2-1 India

1:  Marina Stefanoni 3-0 Akankshe Salunkhe  11/2, 11/9, 11/4
2:  Grace Doyle 1-3 Sunaya Kuruvilla     11/7, 11/3, 7/11, 7/11
3:  Elle Ruggerio 3-0 Aishwarya Bhattacharya    11/7, 11/5, 11/8
7th/8th: New Zealand 2-0 Germany
Kaitlyn Watts 3-1 Saskia Beinhard     6/11, 11/6, 13/11, 11/5
Anna Hughes 3-0 Kacenka Tycova             11/6, 11/4, 11/7
9/10th:  Canada 3-0 Australia, 11/12th:  South Africa w/o Korea, 13th France, 14th Ireland

FULL WORLD JUNIORS COVERAGE

complete the Grand Slam in Tauranga

Egypt have completed the clean sweep, adding the team’s title to the men’s and women’s trophies they will take home from the World Junior Squash Championship in Tauranga.
With the top four seeded women in the tournament they were always going to be hard to beat and so it proved with a 2-0 win against Malaysia to add a sixth consecutive title to their burgeoning trophy cabinet.
Women’s champion Rowan El Araby sealed the victory and celebrated her 17th birthday with a 3-1  win against Andrea Lee. It looked like an easy win as Araby stormed through the first two games, but Lee fought back well, taking the third and leading for most of the fourth.
It came after Hania El Hammamy, who El Araby had beaten six days earlier in the women’s final, defeated Sivasangari Subramaniam 3-1 in a match of such quality it defied their teenage years.
“I’m just so happy to be able to do this with my team,” El Araby said. She was especially pleased El Hammamy could now call herself a champion. “I love her, she is my friend and it’s amazing for her; and for me to be able to share this happiness with her.”
Egypt coach Omar Abdel Aziz said it had been hard to motivate the players after the individuals tournament because with the four top seeds, they had all hoped to win.
“I had to get them back up psychologically. It was step by step, match by match to get here. We didn’t talk about the trophy, just the matches.”
Egypt have, for a long time now, been the powerhouse in squash and Aziz admitted the bar was high in terms of selections. “And the production line is always there,” Aziz said.

Malaysia coach Andrew Cross felt his players were sluggish early in their matches but had only praise for Egypt and their domination of world squash.
“My girls have done well. We wanted to be in the final so they have done that and I’m proud of how they competed with Egypt, but both Rowan and Hania played better today than they did in the individual final.”

Earlier at the Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre New Zealand improved on their eighth seeding, finishing seventh with a comprehensive 2-0 win against Germany, Kaitlyn Watts beating Saskia Beinhard 3-1 before Anna Hughes dispatched Kacenka Tycova 3-0.
Before that match the USA beat India 2-1 to finish fifth. The losing semifinalists, Hong Kong China and England don’t play off for third, instead sharing the bronze medal.

FINAL    playing order 1, 2, 3

[1] Egypt 2-0 [2] Malaysia

Hania El Hammam 3-1 Sivasangari Subramaniam 11/8, 11/8, 6/11, 11/9 (44m)
Rowan Reda Araby 3-1 Andrea Lee      11/4, 11/4, 9/11, 11/7 (37m)
3rd/4th: England and Hong Kong both receive Bronze medals

5th/6th:  USA 2-1 India

1:  Marina Stefanoni 3-0 Akankshe Salunkhe  11/2, 11/9, 11/4
2:  Grace Doyle 1-3 Sunaya Kuruvilla     11/7, 11/3, 7/11, 7/11
3:  Elle Ruggerio 3-0 Aishwarya Bhattacharya    11/7, 11/5, 11/8
7th/8th: New Zealand 2-0 Germany
Kaitlyn Watts 3-1 Saskia Beinhard     6/11, 11/6, 13/11, 11/5
Anna Hughes 3-0 Kacenka Tycova             11/6, 11/4, 11/7
9/10th:  Canada 3-0 Australia, 11/12th:  South Africa w/o Korea, 13th France, 14th Ireland

FULL WORLD JUNIORS COVERAGE

Hasta La Vista prepares for World Games

The finishing touches are being made to the world’s largest squash club as the 33-court Hasta la Vista in Poland prepares to welcome the sport’s top players to compete in the 2017 World Games in the city of Wroclaw from 25 July. Squash will be making its fifth appearance in the World Games, the quadrennial multi-sport event for non-Olympic programme sports. The 10th edition of the Games has attracted more than 3,000 athletes from 31 sports and 111 countries to the participate in the biggest sport event ever to be staged in Poland, under the patronage of the IOC. 63 players from 26 nations will compete in the Squash championships, led by men’s top seed Simon Rösner, the world No.11 from Germany, and women’s favouriteCamille Serme, ranked three in the world, from France. “The World Games is very important for us,” said Rösner, who will be hoping to go one better than his runner-up finish in the 2013 Cali Games in Colombia. “It’s our Olympic Games. “It’s good to know that the event will be covered on terrestrial TV – so I hope the squash will be seen in Germany and will help attract more people to our sport,” added the 11-time German National champion. Serme, who finished third four years ago, is making her third appearance in the event. The 28-year-old from Creteil is seeded to meet three-time gold medallist Nicol David in Friday’s final. FULL STORY & WORLD GAMES COVERAGE

Egyptians Tarek & Araby score World Junior double in New Zealand Posted: 24 Jul 2017 04:47 AM PDT It was an Egyptian double – the fifth in the history of the tournament – today in New Zealand where Marwan Tarek and Rowan Reda Araby won the men’s and women’s titles, respectively, in the WSF World Junior Squash Championships at the Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre in Tauranga. 16-year-old Araby, the runner-up in Poland a year ago, pulled off a significant upset – leading in all games before beating top-seeded compatriot Hania El Hammamy 11-7, 11-9, 11-8. The pair had contested three British Junior Open finals since 2013, all of them won by El Hammamy – but Araby made her breakthrough a year ago in Poland, beating her older rival for the first time in the 2016 World Junior semi-finals. Spurred on by her most recent success, the Alexandria-based Araby charged to her straight games triumph over world No.35 El Hammamy – also 16, but from Cairo – in 33 minutes, becoming the seventh successive Egyptian winner of the women’s title. “I am so happy,” said the 3/4 seed, ranked 15 places lower. “I worked so hard for this title after coming second last year. “It’s difficult playing another Egyptian but there are no friends on the court and I worked hard to stay calm. “I didn’t expect it to be three-nil. All the matches I play against Hania are normally close. This is just amazing. I’m sorry, I don’t really have many words right now.” Both men’s finalists pulled off upsets in the semis – leaving the climax devoid of the event’s top two seeds for the first time since 2004. Incredibly, Tarek was facing Victor Crouin for the first time since meeting the Frenchman in the British U13 Junior Open in January 2012! The match went the full distance, with 18-year-old Crouin – bidding to become the first ever world junior champion from France – twice drawing level after 18-year-old Tarek won the first and third games. But after losing the first point in the decider, Tarek reeled off eight points in a row to take the match 11-9, 3-11, 11-6, 3-11, 11-2 in 58 minutes. “I can’t think right now, I’m the world champion, I’m the world champion,” said the 17-year-old from Cairo repeatedly. “Dreams do come true.” Tarek revealed he was feeling the effects of his semi-final win against top seed Youssef Ibrahim. “I wasn’t 100 percent ready. My body was weak but this is the world championships and you have to survive.” The Tauranga climax marked the first Egyptian double since 2013 – when Karim El Hammamy & Nour El Sherbini won the titles in Poland – but the fifth since the breakthrough success by Mohamed Elshorbagy and El Sherbini in 2009. The WSF World Junior Team Championship starts on Tuesday, with Egypt favourites to claim the title for the sixth time in a row. Men’s final: [3/4] Marwan Tarek (EGY) bt [3/4] Victor Crouin (FRA) 11-9, 3-11, 11-6, 3-11, 11-2 (58m) Women’s final: [3/4] Rowan Reda Araby (EGY) bt [1] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) 11-7, 11-9, 11-8 (33m) FULL WORLD JUNIORS COVERAGE

Tarek & Crouin create shock World Junior Final in New Zealand

men’s final missing both of the top two seeds for the first time in 13 years will bring the 2017 WSF World Junior Squash Championships to a climax in New Zealand after Egypt’s Marwan Tarek and Frenchman Victor Crouin – both 3/4 seeds – produced stunning semi-final upsets today at the Queen Elizabeth Youth Centre in Tauranga. Crouin, the reigning European Junior Champion, was the first to claim a spot in the final after dismissing Mohammad Al Sarraj – denying the No.2 seed the chance to become the event’s first finalist from Jordan. The 18-year-old from Toulon emulated his distinguished compatriot Gregory Gaultier – runner-up in 2000 – when he beat Al Sarraj 11-6, 8-11, 11-6, 11-6 in 53 minutes, dropping his first game in the tournament in the process. “I’m happy with my performance, I managed to play the way I have all tournament, with good accuracy and managed to control a lot of the rallies,” said Crouin. “It’s the third time we’ve played and the first time I’ve beaten him, so I’m delighted with that and I still feel fresh for the final. “It’s good to play in a venue like this in front of such a crowd. I’m going to do my best to win this tournament, it would be a first for France after Greg and Camille finished runners-up and it would be a dream to win this title!” In his first ever international clash with fellow countryman Youssef Ibrahim, Tarek battled for 58 minutes to see off the event favourite 13-11, 11-7, 7-11, 12-10 – Ibrahim unable to convert three game balls in the fourth to set up a decider. “I’m extremely happy,” said Tarek, 17, from Cairo. “He is like a brother to me, we hang out together, we train together, we belong to the same club, we’ve been in the national team since 2012 together so it was a hard game for both of us. “Our games are usually close, but inside the court there are no friends so I’m happy to get through. “I haven’t played Victor since 2011, and I haven’t watched him at all in this tournament.” The women’s event produced the seventh successive all-Egyptian final after top seed Hania El Hammamy and Rowan Reda Araby, a 3/4 seed, prevailed in the other semi-finals. El Hammamy, the 16-year-old world No.35 from Cairo, ended the brave run of Satomi Watanabe, the 5/8 seed who yesterday became the first Japanese player to reach the semi-finals. Watanabe forced tie-breaks in two of the games, but El Hammamy’s experience proved decisive as the Egyptian secured her anticipated place in the final with a 12-10, 11-4, 12-10 win in 34 minutes. “It was three-nil, but it was a tough three-nil,” said El Hammamy. “I was glad to take the first, the second went quickly, and I was feeling comfortable in the third, going 10-7 up. “But she came back well, played some good shots so I was happy to win in three. “It’s going to be an all-Egyptian final, which will be tough. It’s harder playing an Egyptian, there’s no coaching when we play so you have to do it all yourself, and I’ll be playing a friend who usually supports me but will be against me! “But I’m so pleased to make the final for the first time – I hope I can play well tomorrow.” Araby, also 16, earned her place in the final for the second year in a row after beating compatriot Amina Yousry 11-7, 11-7, 11-5 in 27 minutes. “I’m so excited to make the final again,” said the Alexandrian. “I just wanted to go out to enjoy my squash today, stay calm, and that helped me to play the squash I can play. “I’m amazed how I played; I wasn’t expecting this, our games are always so tough against and it’s hard to play against another Egyptian. We are teammates and friends and now we have to be competitors. “It’s difficult, but I’ve said all week I want to go one better than last year, so I just want to enjoy it and play my best.” Men’s semi-finals: [3/4] Marwan Tarek (EGY) bt [1] Youssef Ibrahim (EGY) 13-11, 11-7, 7-11, 12-10 (58m) [3/4] Victor Crouin (FRA) bt [2] Mohammad Al Sarraj (JOR) 11-6, 8-11, 11-6, 11-6 (53m) Women’s semi-finals: [1] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bt [5/8] Satomi Watanabe (JPN) 12-10, 11-4, 12-10 (34m) [3/4] Rowan Reda Araby (EGY) bt [5/8] Amina Yousry (EGY) 11-7, 11-7, 11-5 (27m) FULL WORLD JUNIORS COVERAGE

MATTI SQUASH ACADEMY DOMINATES IN ALBERTA

MATTI SQUASH ACADEMY DOMINATES IN ALBERTA

Andrea Toth enhances her selection for junior national team
Richmond News
Sixteen - year -old Andrea Toth captured the U 19 Division at the Alberta Jesters Junior Open as she moved a step closed to be named to Canada ' s junior national team .
Richmond’s Shakiru Matti Squash Academy continues to make an impressive in high - profile junior events .
The Sport Central based club produced a number of outstanding results at last month’s Alberta Jesters Junior Open .
Leading the way was 16 -year - old Andrea Toth . She captured the U 19 Division which will enhance her chances of being named to the national team for the 2017 World Junior Championships in New Zealand . The Alberta Jesters was part of Squash Canada ’s selection criteria .
Other wins included 13 -year - old Sarah Can capturing the U17 Girls Division , while eight - year -old Ysuf Matti took top honours in the Boys U11 flight .
Runner- up performances were turned in by James Both ( U 15 ) and Joseph Both ( U 13 ) . Grace Huang was third in the U13 Girls Division .
Jacob Lin was the consolation winner in U 15 Boys , defeating training mate Gabriel Run In the same division , Jordan King reached the consolation semi - finals.
Emillio Carrillo was a consolation semi -finalist as well in Boys U17 , while Ismael Matti was the Bronze Draw winner .
Maaz Shah and Cynthia Cao also enjoyed strong tournaments .

WHY EYE PROTECTION to play squash?

WHY EYE PROTECTION?...



The World Squash Federation Annual in October 1997 approved a motion making it compulsory for eye protection to be worn by all players in World Junior Championships from 1 January 1999. Also the new rules of the World Doubles Game which are effective from the 10th of October, 1997 make the wearing of eye protection mandatory for all games at all times.

* THE OVERVIEW

The risk of serious eye injury in Squash is very low, but one in every four players will receive some form of injury of this type in their playing life. However, the risk of a player being blinded in Squash is TOTALLY AVOIDABLE. The consequences of a momentary lapse of concentration, or an accident, causing a lifetime of blindness are too severe for the WSF not to recommend eye protection and take every step to make it worn by all players.

* WHAT IS THE RISK?

Serious cases of eye injury result in hospital treatment, but the doctors and managers in them are generally too busy healing the sick to carry out studies on the causes of accidents in minute detail. So there are many studies on injuries through sport, some on eye injury in sport, but few on eye injuries through Squash.
From those that have been done in England, Germany, Sweden, Belgium, NZ, Australia, Canada and USA the following facts emerge:

o Eye injury occurs between 5 and 33 times per 100,000 playing sessions. A person has a 25% chance of receiving an eye injury in a playing career.

o In the UK there are an estimated 15,000 injuries per year.

o In Canada there were 280 recorded hospital admissions between 1982 and 1987, before mandatory eye protection.

o In 6 UK studies Football and Squash were the sports most commonly causing eye damage.

o In Australia 26% of all pennant players admitted to a previous eye injury.

* WHO IS AT RISK?

All players. No exceptions. Often beginners are less vulnerable because they do not turn around to watch their opponent. Better players keep their eye on the ball at all times and can be more at risk. Good players do get injured.

* WHAT CAUSES THE ACCIDENT?

Most players receive minor injuries to the eyebrow and eye surround from racket blows which do not require any more treatment than a dressing. Sometimes more serious accidents happen with the racket, but two thirds of all serious accidents, and almost all blind eyes, are caused by the ball.
An A grade player hits the ball at up to 200 kilometres per hour and it has 4 times the energy of a .22 bullet.

* WHAT DAMAGE OCCURS?

1. Hyphaema. Bleeding inside the eye. Long term complications and possible glaucoma.

2. Pupil injury. Tears to the iris can distort the pupil and lead to an inability to focus.

3. Retinal damage. Haemorrhage & swelling of the retina can permanently reduce vision.

4. Orbital fractures. Surgery is often needed and double vision or disfigurement can result.

* WHAT IS THE RESULT?

Blindness, even in one eye, can cause misery and ruin lives and careers. In Israel an air force pilot lost vision in one eye through a Squash ball, he lost his licence to fly and a future high earning job as a civil airline pilot. He was compensated by the courts against the club owners as they were judged to have not advised him of the dangers.

* WHY JUNIORS?

The WSF believes that making eye protection compulsory for Junior players in World Championships is the right route to start cultivating safe habits. Juniors accept the situation more easily than adults who have played for years without protection.
Our challenge is to make eye protection in Squash fashionable - cool as the kids would say. They wear knee pads and elbow protection when they roller-blade. Crash helmets when they cycle or play hockey. Gum shields when they play Rugby or Football. They are all part of the dress code and are seen as adding to the sport not detracting from it. And, in your judgement, which is the more serious - a grazed knee, a broken elbow, a missing tooth, a cut head and concussion or a blind eye?
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* THE FINAL FACTS

In Canada over 60% of adults wear eye protectors. Ten years ago it was 20%. T

Open International de Nantes Set for All-French Men’s Final After Main Draw is Released

The 2017 Open International de Squash de Nantes is set to feature an all-French final in the Men’s event for the first time, with World No.23 Gregoire Marche seeded to meet former World No.6 Mathieu Castagnet in the title decider.

 

Taking place at Les Machines de l'île between September 6-10, the Men’s Open International de Squash de Nantes features a $25,000 prize fund and will see Castagnet take on fellow Frenchman Lucas Serme in the pick of the first round fixtures.

 

A win for Castagnet would see him face either England’s Declan James or talented Egyptian Youssef Soliman in the last eight, while Swiss No.4 seed Nicolas Mueller and Qatar’s Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi are also on Castagnet’s side of the draw as they take on a qualifier and tournament wildcard Auguste Dussourd, respectively.

 

Meanwhile, Marche kickstarts his efforts to lift a third successive Open International de Nantes title with an opening round fixture against a qualifier and the 27-year-old is seeded to meet maverick Egyptian Mazen Hesham in an explosive last four encounter.

 

Last year’s final saw Marche defeat England’s Chris Simpson to take the title and the duo could face off in a rematch as early as the quarter-finals if they both emerge from their first round matches unscathed.

 

The Women’s event boasts its biggest ever prize purse of $15,000 and sees English duo Millie Tomlinson and Fiona Moverley named as the top two seeds, with the pair seeded to clash in the final.

 

Moverley could need to overcome home hope Coline Aumard if she is to play to her seeding, with Aumard the highest ranked female French player in the tournament.

 

Tomlinson begins her tournament against wildcard Julie Rossignol - the 20-year-old from Marly Le Roi - and the World No.26 is seeded to meet Belgium’s Nele Gilis in the semi-finals.

 

The qualifying stages of the Open International de Squash de Nantes will be held between September 4-5 at La Maison du Squash, with the main draw staged between September 6-10 at Les Machines de l’île.



Tickets for the tournament start from €6 and can be purchased here: http://uk.opensquashnantes.fr/

 

The Open International de Squash de Nantes will be the first tournament of the 2017/18 season to be shown live on SQUASHTV (rest of world) and Eurosport Player (Europe only).

 

2017 Men’s Open International de Squash de Nantes – First Round Draw:

[1] Gregoire Marche (FRA) v [Qualifier]

[Qualifier] v [5] Chris Simpson (ENG)

[8] Mohamed Reda (EGY) v Olli Tuominen (FIN)

[Qualifier] v [3] Mazen Hesham (EGY)

[4] Nicolas Mueller (SUI) v [Qualifier]

[WC] Auguste Dussourd (FRA) v [7] Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi (QAT)

[6] Declan James (ENG) v Youssef Soliman (EGY)

Lucas Serme (FRA) v [2] Mathieu Castagnet (FRA)

 

2017 Women’s Open International de Squash de Nantes – First Round Draw:

[1] Millie Tomlinson (ENG) v [WC] Julie Rossignol (FRA)

[Qualifier] v [8] Rowan Elaraby (EGY)

[7] Zeina Mickawy (EGY) v [Qualifier]

Hana Moataz (EGY) v [4] Nele Gilis (BEL)

[3] Coline Aumard (FRA) v [Qualifier]

Julianne Courtice (ENG) v [5] Hollie Naughton (CAN)

[6] Misaki Kobayashi (JPN) V Amina Yousry (EGY)

[Qualifier] v [2] Fiona Moverley (ENG)

2017 Cargolux squash tournament

This year's Cargolux squash tournament has been scheduled to take place at the Lagos country club from 7th to 12th of August 2017.
Further information will be passed across to all accredited squash clubs across the nation.

Colombian Knudsen Progresses In New Zealand

Colombian Knudsen Progresses In New Zealand After producing the only seeding upset on the opening day of action in the WSF World Junior Squash Championships in New Zealand, Colombian outsider Matias Knudsen battled through to the men’s last 16 of the World Squash Federation event today at the Devoy Squash & Fitness Centre in the city of Tauranga. The unranked 17-year-old from Bogota needed 54 minutes to see off Pakistan’s world No.482 Abbas Zeb 10-12, 11-9, 11-6, 6-11, 11-9. “I was two-nil 10-7 down yesterday, and today I was 10-7 up in the third and it was very hard to finish,” said Knudsen, coached by recently-appointed Colombian national coach Martin Knight, the former world No.38 from New Zealand. “I’m so excited to be in the last sixteen – this is my third world juniors, I’m getting further each time and I still have one more to go!” Bidding to become the first Colombian ever to reach the event’s quarter-finals, Knudsen now faces No.2 seed Mohammad Al Sarraj. Al Sarraj, from Jordan, defeated USA’s Salim Khan 11-7, 11-9, 12-10. There was a further upset in the men’s draw when Egypt’s unseeded Aly Hussein, a world championship debutant, despatched Roman Allinckx, a 9/16 seed from Switzerland, 11-6, 11-4, 11-5 in 48 minutes. The Cairo-born 17-year-old, one of five Egyptians through to the men’s last 16, will need to overcome India’s 5/8 seed Adhitya Raghavan to secure a place in the quarter-finals. Egyptian top seeds Youssef Ibrahim and Hania El Hammamy 15-year-old Jana Shiha produced the standout upset in the women’s event after ousting 18-year-old Akanksha Salunkhe, a 9/16 seed from India. The Alexandrian’s 11-6, 11-8, 11-4 victory in just 16 minutes takes Shiha through to the last 16 where she will face compatriot Rowan Reda Araby. Runner-up in 2016, 16-year-old Araby – also from Alexandria – defeated Canadian Nicole Kendall 11-1, 11-2, 11-2. Top seed Hania El Hammamy brushed aside Hong Kong’s Ka Wing Ho  11-4, 11-3, 11-2 to lead six Egyptians into the fourth round. Predicted semi-finalist Nada Abbas, however, was taken the full distance before claiming her anticipated place in the last 16. From 2/1 down, the 17-year-old from Giza finally got the better of India’s 18-year-old Aishwarya Bhattacharya 11-4, 8-11, 9-11, 11-6, 11-3. 16-year-old local hope Kaitlyn Watts was unable to pull off the upset she needed to reach the 4th round. The highest-ranked New Zealander in the women’s draw, Watts went down 11-4, 11-7, 11-4 to Malaysian Chan Yiwen, a 9/16 seed. FULL WORLD JUNIORS COVERAGE Results: Men’s 3rd round: [1] Youssef Ibrahim (EGY) bt Ronald Palomino (COL) 11-8, 11-7, 11-6 (26m) [9/16] Ong Sai Hung (MAS) bt Ahmed Elmashad (EGY) 3-11, 5-11, 13-11, 11-5, 11-4 (46m) [9/16] Tom Walsh (ENG) bt Nicholas Calvert (AUS) 11-2, 11-5, 11-5 (22m) [5/8] Andrew Douglas (USA) bt Sanjay Jeeva (BEL) 8-11, 11-6, 11-9, 11-7 (38m) [5/8] Abhay Singh (IND) bt Harrison Gill (USA) 11-6, 11-3, 14-12 (38m) [9/16] Mohamed Elshamy (EGY) bt Cole Becker (USA) 11-5, 8-11, 9-11, 11-5, 12-10 (41m) [9/16] Adam Corcoran (ENG) bt Finn Trimble (NZL) 11-4, 10-12, 11-5, 11-7 (59m) [3/4] Marwan Tarek (EGY) bt Yash Fadte (IND) 11-5, 11-4, 11-6 (25m) [3/4] Victor Crouin (FRA) bt Shahrul Izham Nurhaqiem (MAS) 11-4, 11-3, 11-4 (21m) [9/16] Darren Rahul Pragasam (MAS) bt Tiber Worth (USA) 11-5, 9-11, 11-9, 11-8 (46m) Aly Hussein (EGY) bt [9/16] Roman Allinckx (SUI) 11-6, 11-4, 11-5 (48m) [5/8] Adhitya Raghavan (IND) bt In Woo Lee (KOR) 11-5, 11-6, 4-11, 11-9 (50m) [5/8] Kyle Finch (ENG) bt Hafiz Zhafri (MAS) 11-6, 11-3, 11-4 (24m) [9/16] Mostafa Asal (EGY) bt Inaki de Larrauri (COL) 11-1, 11-4, 11-7 (24m) Matias Knudsen (COL) bt Abbas Zeb (PAK) 10-12, 11-9, 11-6, 6-11, 11-9 (54m) [2] Mohammad Al Sarraj (JOR) bt Salim Khan (USA) 11-7, 11-9, 12-10 (35m) Women’s 3rd round: [1] Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bt Ka Wing Ho (HKG) 11-4, 11-3, 11-2 (19m) [9/16] Chan Yiwen (MAS) bt Kaitlyn Watts (NZL) 11-4, 11-7, 11-4 (24m) [9/16] Zoe Foo Yuk Han (MAS) bt Charlotte Orcutt (CAN) 11-5, 11-2, 11-8 (23m) [5/8] Sivasangari Subramaniam (MAS) bt Anika Jackson (NZL) 11-4, 11-2, 11-5 (15m) [5/8] Satomi Watanabe (JPN) bt Saskia Beinhard (GER) 11-3, 11-5, 11-4 (18m) [9/16] Lucy Turmel (ENG) bt Alice Green (ENG) 11-5, 11-4, 11-7 (26m) [9/16] Marina Stefanoni (USA) bt Jasmine Hutton (ENG) 14-12, 11-8, 11-6 (32m) [3/4] Nada Abbas (EGY) bt Aishwarya Bhattacharya (IND) 11-4, 8-11, 9-11, 11-6, 11-3 [3/4] Rowan Reda Araby (EGY) bt Nicole Kendall (CAN) 11-1, 11-2, 11-2 (13m) Jana Shiha (EGY) bt [9/16] Akanksha Salunkhe (IND) 11-6, 11-8, 11-4 (16m) [9/16] Elise Lazarus (ENG) bt Chan Sin Yuk (HKG) 11-8, 11-5, 11-9 (24m) [5/8] Andrea Lee (MAS) bt Grace Doyle (USA) 11-5, 11-8, 11-3 (22m) [5/8] Amina Yousry (EGY) bt Kristýna Fialová (CZE) 11-2, 11-5, 11-5 (20m) [9/16] Lui Hiu Lam (HKG) bt Cheng Nga Ching (HKG) 11-3, 11-3, 11-7 (19m) [9/16] Aifa Azman (MAS) bt Sunayna Kuruvilla (IND) 11-4, 11-6, 11-6 (24m) [2] Zeina Mickawy (EGY) bt Faith Sithole (RSA) 11-6, 11-3, 11-7

OAU squash team at Lagos county club

It was indeed an awesome outing, hanging out with my former team mate; OAU squash team yesterday at the Lagos country club squash section. With me are: Olumide, Jadesola, Emma, Timi, shittu, Bunmi, Oz...Thanks guys, you made my weekend  splendid .

                                                           

The most popular Squash league in Nigeria is back!

The popular Apapa squash league is back, happening this weekend at the prestigious Apapa club squash section... Lagos
This month League is sponsored by Captain Dayo Awobokun.

French squash players in awe of Pakistan’s hospitality

ISLAMABAD - French world number 44 squash player Lucas Serme said Tuesday he had never ever received such respect, care and hospitality in his life, which he has received from Pakistan Squash Federation and local players.

Talking to The Nation, Lucas, who landed in the wee hours of Tuesday morning in Islamabad, said when he was contacted to play in the World-V series in Pakistan, he immediately accepted the invitation.

“I had met with the legend Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan when I was too young and I wanted to grab this opportunity with both hands. It’s like dream come true for me as I wanted to visit this land of champions.”

Lucas said he was so impressed the way Pakistan Squash Federation game development officer Sikandar remained in contact with him.

He said he was enjoying training at the Mushaf Squash Complex and had heard too much about the beauty of Islamabad and would love to roam around.

Lucas won the $15,000 tournament in Dublin last year while he defeated Egyptian Marwan El Shorbagy in the first round of the Canary Wharf PSA championship in London this year.

“No one ever played squash in my family before me. My dad used to play basketball where I kept accompanying him. There were two courts adjacent to basketball arena - one each of tennis and squash. I used to play both tennis and squash then I made up my mind that I am going to play professional squash. I am only 25 and already reached 44 in PSA rankings this year. Hopefully I will be able to break into elite group by the end of this year or early next year. My sister Camille Serme is world number 3 in females’ rankings and we both are doing our best to win laurels for our beloved country France.”

Lucas said he had spent only 12 hours in Pakistan so far and had already started to like the place. “I am hoping to perform well in the matches in next few days.”

When asked whether he would come to play PSA events in Pakistan, as hopefully ban on hosting international squash in Pakistan would be lifted soon, Lucas said he would love to come again and again for not only play PSA tournaments but also to visit different places and hoped that federation would arrange tour of different places.

When asked about security concerns about Pakistan and whether he was told not to travel to Pakistan, Lucas  said no that was not the case and he didn’t feel anything like that. “My wife told me to grab maximum pictures of Pakistan and I will take pictures and memories of this tour with me.”

On squash inclusion in the Olympics, Lucas said squash must be included in Olympics. “We are quite hopeful squash would be included in 2024 as squash is a highly competitive sports and I feel it should have been included in Olympics much earlier.”

When asked about how excited he was about meeting with legends Jahangir, Jansher and Qamar Zaman, Lucas replied: “I can’t wait to meet these heroes. They have the huge fan-following around the globe. I am looking anxiously forward of meeting these living legends. I had met Jahangir and Jansher but at that time I was hardly 6 or 7. I want to take tips and play with both these super stars of squash. I will like to once again thank Pakistan Squash Federation for their hospitality, love and respect.”

Squash Confirmed As 'Showcase Sport' For 2018 Youth Olympic Games

Squash has been confirmed as a showcase sport for the Buenos Aires 2018 Summer Youth Olympic Games - due to be held between October 6-18, 2018 - following the fourth International Olympic Committee (IOC) Coordination Commission visit to the Argentinian capital.

Following on from the IOC's "Sports Lab" concept which was launched at Nanjing 2014 and saw skateboarding and sport climbing feature - sports which have since been added to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games programme - the inclusion of squash in Buenos Aires 2018 could have a huge impact on squash’s aspirations to join the Summer Olympic Games roster.

Buenos Aires 2018 will mark the first time ever that squash will appear on an Olympic programme.

"We are delighted that squash will feature as part of the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in what is a hugely positive development for the growth of squash worldwide," said Professional Squash Association (PSA) CEO Alex Gough.

"The opportunity to expose the sport on a worldwide stage, while at the same time introducing squash to an entirely new generation of athlete, in very exciting for us and everyone involved in the game and we welcome the opportunity for our young athletes to compete at Buenos Aires 2018.

"With a focus on development the Youth Olympics is also very much a testing ground for the Olympic Movement and we welcome the opportunity to showcase our sport in this setting and display both the adaptability and uniqueness of the all-glass squash showcourt and the skills and athleticism of our players."

Commenting on the news, World Squash Federation president Jacque Fontaine said: “To be added to the Youth Olympic Games for 2018 is a great moment for squash and a step in the right direction towards our ultimate aim of Olympic Games inclusion. 

"The Youth Games displays the very best in rising sporting talent as well as the very best in youth sports. We believe we have one of the most unique sporting products in the world and some of the most compelling athletes in the world; and we look forward to working closely with the host in the build up to Buenos Aires 2018 to ensure we make the most of the opportunity.”

PSPAN Men & Women 2017 National Rankings

Update on the current professional squash players Of Nigeria male & female rankings PSPAN.
Tunde Ajagbe & Yemisi OlatunjI tops the  the rank for male & female category respectively.

Buenos Aires 2018 take Youth Olympic Games to the next level with Squash

The sport of Squash has been confirmed as a showcase sport at the Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires, Argentina, in October 2018.

The Games Organising Committee has emphasised a desire to feature participation as a key component as part of their ‘festivals of sport’ created in four ‘parks’ across the city. Buenos Aires 2018 want people to “experience a fusion of elite sport competition, music, culture and arts festivals, sport initiation, showcasing and educational programmes”.

The World Squash Federation, in conjunction with the Argentinean Squash Federation, were warmly received by the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games Organizing Committee (BAYOGOC) during the extended period in which discussions took place leading to this superb outcome.

Welcoming the news, WSF President Jacques Fontaine commented: “Youth are our future, and so a priority for squash. We hugely admire the participation policy of the Buenos Aires 2018 Organizing Committee are grateful to the hosts in recognising that squash will be a vibrant addition, and are delighted to be a part of the promotion.

“We, in collaboration with the Argentinean Squash Federation, look forward to bringing an all-glass showcourt to Technopolis Park.

“To be added to the Youth Olympic Games for 2018 is a great moment for squash and a step in the right direction towards our ultimate aim of Olympic Games inclusion. The Youth Games displays the very best in rising sporting talent as well as the very best in youth sports. We believe we have one of the most unique sporting products in the world and some of the most compelling athletes in the world; and we look forward to working closely with the host in the build up to Buenos Aires 2018 to ensure we make the most of the opportunity.”

The dates for the squash, within the 6-18 October 2018 overall programme and the format of the junior ‘showcase’ event, will be announced later.

World No.23 Gregoire Marche will headline the 2017 Men’s Open International de Squash de Nantes between September 6-10 as he targets a third successive title at the PSA M25 tournament.

The inaugural Open International de Nantes took place in 2015 at the Lieu Unique national centre, with Marche beating Finland’s Henrik Mustonen to take the title before he repeated the feat last year against England’s Chris Simpson at the Cité Internationale des Congrès.

This year’s tournament will be staged at Les Machines de l'île - home to the incredible Grand Éléphant - and sees Marche joined by compatriot Mathieu Castagnet, former World No.13 Mazen Hesham and last year’s runner-up Simpson in a strong draw that features five of the world’s top 35 male players.

Meanwhile, the Women’s event will see Coline Aumard head up the home interest as she makes her debut at the Open International de Nantes, which features its strongest ever Women’s tournament after a $10,000 increase in prize money compared to last year brought the total prize purse up to $15,000 for the 2017 instalment.

As a result of the increase, the Women’s tournament boasts eight players ranked inside the world’s top 50, with English duo Millie Tomlinson and Fiona Moverley, Belgium’s Nele Gilis and Canada’s Hollie Naughton joining Aumard in the entry list.

The qualifying stages of the Open International de Squash de Nantes will be held between September 4-5 at La Maison du Squash, with the main draw staged between September 6-10 at Les Machines de l’île.



Tickets for the tournament start from €6 and can be purchased here: http://uk.opensquashnantes.fr/

Action from the main draw will be shown live on SQUASHTV (rest of world) and Eurosport Player (Europe only).

2017 Men’s Open International de Squash de Nantes – Entry List

1) Gregoire Marche (FRA)

2) Mathieu Castagnet (FRA)

3) Mazen Hesham (EGY)

4) Nicolas Mueller (SUI)

5) Chris Simpson (ENG)

6) Declan James (ENG)

7) Abdulla Mohd Al Tamimi (QAT)

8) Mohamed Reda (EGY)

9) Lucas Serme (FRA)

10) Olli Tuominen (FIN)

11)  Youssef Soliman (EGY)

Wildcard) Auguste Dussourd (FRA)

2017 Women’s Open International de Squash de Nantes – Entry List

1) Millie Tomlinson (ENG)

2) Fiona Moverley (ENG)

3) Coline Aumard (FRA)

4) Nele Gilis (BEL)

5) Hollie Naughton (CAN)

6) Misaki Kobayashi (JPN)

7) Zeina Mickawy (EGY)

8) Rowan Elaraby (EGY)

9) Amina Yousry (EGY)

10) Julianne Courtice (ENG)

11) Hana Moataz (EGY)

Wildcard) Julie Rossignol (FRA)