This Egyptian mobile app will improve your squash

Ahmed Mohsen came up with the idea for a squash performance tracker app two years ago, when he was coaching Egyptian champion Omneya Abdelkawy.

What Mohsen wanted to do was create detailed analytics reports to help him assess and coach his player, but this was challenging.

“The process proved to be hectic and at times unreliable when approached in the simple manner of putting pen to paper,” he said. “This was due to the overwhelming amount of information and calculations needed to analyse the player’s development.”

Unperturbed, Mohsen started to formulate a code using equations, though this proved too complex for other coaches to use since they were not involved in its development. This led to the development of SquashApp, which aims to make it quick and easy to input information to help coaches and players track their performance and analyse trends.

“SquashApp is the only squash application designed by world class players and coaches putting hundred of hours of dedicated work in order to introduce to you all the tools, stats and support you need to step up your game,” Mohsen said.

“For squash players, coaches and institutions, SquashApp is specialised in delivering cutting edge data analysis. Using the latest analysis techniques we help sports people to start winning by numbers.”

Users can keep track of game rallies using the app’s seamless pointing system, with SquashApp doing the maths and generating a detailed dynamic analysis of every rally in order for players, parents, coaches and fans to have access to advanced game analysis and insights.

Currently available on iOS, SquashApp aims to fill a gap in the market, with two other companies currently focused on video analysis and coaching. Mohsen is in the process of turning it into a business, with the app available for free but making money through in-app advertising.

It is currently self-funded, but Mohsen hopes to raise US$150,000 over the next six months as he targets uptake in the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK), Egypt, Canada, France and Malaysia.

Bega Open squash adds international flair Jacob McMaster

Strong contest: Brett Hyland fires up a backhand against Josh Larkin during the final of the 2015 men's open.
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Thirteen separate countries will be represented in the Bega squash men’s open this week.

About 24 players of international standard will strut their stuff on the court for a Provisional Squash Association (PSA) prize of US $5000.

Tournament director John Stylianou said it was a phenomenal response for the Bega Open with players to travel from New Zealand, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore, South Korea, South Africa, Egypt, India, France and England.

“You’ll have to forgive me if I missed one or two there,” Stylianou said with a laugh “It’s a long list”.

Two locals will also test their mettle against the visitors with Troy Northey and Corey Bedingfield lining up for the challenge.

If you’re not an international level player, don’t be alarmed.

The competition is still hosting a full contingent of locals with men’s competition to run across eight divisions and another five in women’s play.

The women’s competition is also expecting some serious contenders for the crown including former world number three Madeline Perry, who featured in Friday’s Bega District News.

Stylianou said it was through a partnership with the PSA that the Open had been able to grow with the Bega Open added to the official PSA calendar to lure international hopefuls.

The PSA is also responsible for the running of the Victorian and Australian Opens, but had worked with Bega organisers to allow regular local divisions to go ahead.

“Clubs run tournaments a lot, but there are probably only 12 to 15 PSA Opens every year,” Stylianou said.

“Normally you need to PSA certified and you get a ranking, but we’ve been able to nominate our two players and run regular competition as a sattelite.”

Stylianou said games had been revised to be slightly shorter this year, at 25 minutes a match, but would still run in a straight point-score race with one point for every rally won.

He said more than 200 games will run across the five days, but the shorter matches meant there was still room for semis and a final on Sunday afternoon.

“In my travels I’ve been involved in nine separate clubs and I can easily say the Open will be the biggest squash thing I’ve ever been involved in,” Stylianou said.

“To have a club as strong as Bega Squash is incredible.”

Play in the Bega Squash Open will run from Wednesday afternoon at the Bega squash courts, with finals play expected to go ahead from about noon on Sunday.

Coaching and skills sessions will be available from some of the top-seeded players

Pakistan fielded over-age players to win World Junior Team event

World Junior Team champions Pakistan celebrate after beating Egypt in the final. Israel Ahmed is second left and Abbas Shoukat is on the right

WSF to investigate claims that winning juniors are 20 years old

By Alan Thatcher, Squash Mad Editor
The World Squash Federation are investigating claims that Pakistan fielded two over-age players while winning the recent World Junior Team Championship in Poland. Israr Ahmed, who beat Egypt’s number one Saadeldin Abouaish in straight games in the final, is understood to be 20 years old, as is victorious team-mate Abbas Shoukat.
Reports in 2013 confirmed that Israr and Shoukat were playing in under-17 tournaments while over-age but this practice appears to have continued unchecked by any of the national, regional or global authorities.

One source in Pakistan claimed today that the fault lies with corrupt officials, who have little or no background in squash. He said: “They are continuing to flout the rules in the hope of gaining international success at junior level because there is such a huge void at senior level.

“It’s all a game to show titles. They can’t win PSA titles, so they try to show junior success instead, claiming the glory for themselves.

“I feel there is a huge lack of honesty and sincerity to the sport when it comes to these high ranking officials. The players are just told what to do.

“I won’t be surprised if it’s true. But again I feel those who took these players to Poland, knowing they were over-age, need to be held responsible. Players like Israr Ahmed on his own can’t do anything.

“The opposing teams need to take this up very seriously. Several parents backed down at the British Open Juniors one year because the organisers did not want to get their hands dirty… this time the authorities need to take action. It’s pretty obvious it’s happening.

“It’s about time these things are seriously dealt with. Qamar Zaman has always been ‘vocal’ on the overage issue since his own son Mansoor and his nephew Shahid left the juniors yet he travelled with the team this time. He should have been aware that Israr was not allowed to play locally.”

Squash Mad published this report in June 2013, which clearly shows that the Asian Squash Federation were asking questions about the same group of players who were then competing illegally in under-17 competitions.

The report revealed wholesale cheating, as follows: “The PSF conducted age scrutiny of almost all junior players of the country in three phases: first in June last year at Islamabad, where 14 players of under-11 category were found over-age; 18 players for under-13; 22 players were over-age in under-15 category; 34 in under-17; and 31 in under-19.”

Both Israr and Abbas Shauqat were among those considered over-age for this category (under 17) by the PSF.

Our Pakistan contact commented: “So according to this, they were minimum 17 in June 2013. That makes them both minimum 20 now. This also shows that the PSF have continued to openly cheat all this time and that the Asian Federation, and the WSF, have allowed them to get away with it while all this information has been in the public domain.”

The WSF have confirmed that the subject was raised by opposing teams during the tournament in Bielsko Biala, where former squash powerhouse Pakistan won their first title since 2008.

Media reports have come to light which reveal that the Pakistan Squash Federation bans over-age players from competing in domestic events but knowingly selects them for international competition.


Pakistan hold a reception for the junior squad whose result is under investigation

The WSF Chief Executive Andrew Shelley has written to the Pakistani Federation and Asian Squash Federation seeking to clarify the situation and has given permission for Squash Mad to publish his correspondence:

“It must be accepted by the Pakistan Squash Federation that there seem

Why isn’t squash in the Olympics? #Welovesquash

 Why isn’t squash in the Olympics? Champions say game deserves to be there
Malaysian great Nicol David and world number one Mohamed El Shorbagy say it’s a pity the sport isn’t in the world’s biggest extravaganza as they prepare to defend their Hong Kong Open titles
MATHEW SCOTT

Egypt’s world number one Mohamed Elshorbagy and Malaysian great Nicol David have been fighting to get their sport in the Olympics. Photo: Nora Tam
The world’s top squash players on Monday issued an impassioned plea for entry into the Olympic family after they were forced to once again watch from the sidelines as the Games unfolded in Rio de Janeiro.

“Squash really should be there – it has so much to offer,” said Nicol David, the eight-time world champion and widely acknowledged as the greatest player the women’s game has ever seen.

“We’ve given it our all in our campaigns [to get in the Olympics] but just not got there,” continued the Malaysian world number four.

WATCH: Nicol David beats Laura Massaro to win last year's Hong Kong Open



“That’s all you can do – try your best – but it doesn’t make not being there any easier to take. It has been tough. But we have great athletes, and it’s a great sport.”

10 in a row – but can Nicol David do it again at this year’s Hong Kong Squash Open?

The 32-year-old David has this week returned to chase her 11th straight title at the Cathay Pacific Sun Hung Kai Financial Hong Kong Squash Open, adding her considerable lustre to a field that boasts the world’s top 10 women’s players, along with nine of the top-10 men.

Among them will be world number one Mohamed El Shorbagy and the Egyptian also said watching the action in Rio from his couch had been “tough”.

“But as much as I feel that it is a loss for us I feel it is a loss for the Olympics as well,” he said. “It’s a great sport and it deserves to be there.”


World number three Nicol David is disappointed squash isn’t in the Olympics. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Those sentiments were shared by the women’s world number one, Nour El Sherbini, the 20-year-old Egyptian sensation who is plotting to end David’s dominance of the Hong Kong event.

“It’s annoying only being able to watch other athletes compete,” said El Sherbini. “Squash is one of the most exciting and challenging sports there is and we deserve to be in the Olympics. When you’re not in [the Olympics] you just watch and wonder what it must be like.

Unbeatable: Nicol David proves she’s still queen of the Hong Kong Open

“It would be a dream of mine to one day go to an Olympics and win a medal. I think it is the dream of any athlete – so guess I will have to continue to dream.”

The World Squash Federation (WSF) has now applied three times to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for acceptance into the Games – all to no avail, despite the fact an estimated 20 million people play the game, globally.

The WSF last applied when sports were being decided for the next Olympics – in Tokyo in 2020 – but squash missed out as the IOC picked baseball/softball, karate, skateboarding, sports climbing and surfing.



That move, announced in September last year, had left squash “heartbroken”, according to WSF president Narayana Ramachandran, who vowed to not give up the fight. Squash will now set its sights on winning inclusion for the Moscow Olympics in 2024.

The annual professional world tour meanwhile takes in events staged in 47 countries each year and its tournaments attract a rabid following, especially across Asia, which has over the years produced alongside David the likes of the legendary eight-time world champion Jansher Khan of Pakistan, and the Middle East, which currently dominates the sport.


Hong Kong squash officials have tried everything to promote the game, including holding tournaments at the Cultural Centre Piazza in Tsim Sha Tsui. Photo: Edward Wong

“Of course it’s tough to watch on and not be there [in Rio],”

England's Lee Books Hong Kong Open Berth After 98 Minute Battle

England's Joe Lee emerged triumphant in a physically punishing 98-minute battle with Frenchman Lucas Serme today to come through qualification at the 2016 Cathay Pacific Sun Hung Kai Financial Hong Kong Open and book a place in the main draw of the opening PSA World Series tournament of the 2016/17 season.

Awaiting Lee - who qualified courtesy of a seesaw 11-1, 9-11, 11-6, 5-11, 11-8 win -  in the first round is Hong Kong number one and home favourite Max Lee, who will be hoping to improve on his first round exit here to Omar Mosaad last year.

Elsewhere in men's qualification there was a big win for German Raphael Kandra - overcoming former World Junior champion Diego Elias - while Alan Clyne, Omar Abdel Meguid, Zahed Mohamed, Nicolas Mueller, Nafiizwan Adnan and Gregoire Marche all came through to complete the 32-strong field.

In the Women's tournament Liu Tsz-Ling, the local player ranked No.29 in the world, came through a gripping five-game battle with Australian Sarah Cardwell, taking the decisive fifth game 12-10  to complete a triumvirate of home hopes in the main draw alongside Annie Au and Joey Chan.

Tsz-Ling will face compatriot Au in the first round in what will be a keenly watched contest, with fellow five-game tie-break qualifiers Tesni Evans and Nadine Shahin facing Nicol David and Joshna Chinappa, respectively. Nicolette Fernandes, Mariam Metwally, Low Wee Wern, Hania El Hammamy and Olivia Blatchford complete the qualifiers.

The first round action gets underway at the Hong Kong Squash Club from 12noon on Tuesday August 23.

2016 Hong Kong Open - Men's Qualifying Finals
Omar Abdel Meguid (EGY) bt Greg Lobban (SCO) 3-1: 12-10, 11-5, 7-11, 11-8 (56m)
Alan Clyne (SCO) bt Mazen Gamal (EGY) 3-0: 11-4, 11-1, 11-7 (36m)
Raphael Kandra (GER) bt Diego Elias (PER) 3-1: 9-11, 11-5, 11-8, 12-10 (56m)
Zahed Mohamed (EGY) bt Ivan Yuen (MAS) 3-1: 13-11, 6-11, 11-6, 11-6 (63m)
Nicolas Mueller (SUI) bt Mahesh Mangaonkar (IND) 3-0: 11-7, 12-10, 11-4 (35m)
Joe Lee (ENG) bt Lucas Serme (FRA) 3-2: 11-1, 9-11, 11-6, 5-11, 11-8 (98m)
Nafiizwan Adnan (MAS) bt Olli Tuominen (FIN) 3-0: 11-7, 11-4, 17-15 (45m)
Gregoire Marche (FRA) bt Alfredo Avila (MEX) 3-0: 11-9, 11-5, 11-9 (47m)

2016 Hong Kong Open - Women's Qualifying Finals
Nicolette Fernandes (GUY) bt Tong Tsz-Wing (HKG) 3-1: 11-5, 7-11, 11-7, 12-10 (59m)
Liu Tsz-Ling (HKG) bt Sarah Cardwell (AUS) 3-2: 7-11, 11-9, 11-13, 12-10, 12-10 (64m)
Mariam Metwally (EGY) bt Hollie Naughton (CAB) 3-0: 11-4, 11-9, 11-7 (31m)
Tesni Evans (WAL) bt Amina Youssry (EGY) 3-2: 11-6, 9-11, 9-11, 11-5, 13-11 (59m)
Nadine Shahin (EGY) bt Fiona Moverley (ENG) 3-2: 13-11, 11-8, 6-11, 8-11, 12-10 (48m)
Low Wee Wern (MAS) bt Millie Tomlinson (ENG) 3-0: 11-7, 12-10, 11-5 (34m)
Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bt Salma Hany Ibrahim (EGY) 3-1: 12-14, 11-3, 11-5, 11-3 (44m)
Olivia Blatchford (USA) bt Milou van der Heijden (NED) 3-0: 11-7, 11-2, 11-9 (26m)

2016 Hong Kong Open - Men's First Round Draw
[1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) v Chris Simpson (ENG)
Leo Au (HKG) v Cameron Pilley (AUS)
Mazen Hesham (EGY) v [Q] Nafiizwan Adnan (MAS)
Borja Golan (ESP) v [6] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)
Tarek Momen (EGY) v [Q] Alan Clyne (SCO)
Tom Richards (ENG) v James Willstrop (ENG)
Ryan Cuskelly (AUS) v [Q] Omar Abdel Meguid (EGY)
[WC] Tsz Fung Yip (HKG) v [3] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL)
[4] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) v [Q] Nicolas Mueller (SUI)
Ramy Ashour (EGY) v Saurav Ghosal (IND)
Cesar Salazar (MEX) v Simon Rösner (GER)
[Q] Zahed Mohamed (EGY) v [5] Mathieu Castagnet (FRA)
[7] Ali Farag (EGY) v [Q] Raphael Kandra (GER)
Max Lee (HKG) v [Q] Joe Lee (ENG)
Fares Dessouky (EGY) v Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY)
[Q] Gregoire Marche (FRA) v [2] Gregory Gaultier (FRA)

2016 Hong Kong Open – Women’s First Round Draw
[1] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) v Heba El Torky (EGY)
[Q] Liu Tsz-Ling (HKG) v [11] Annie Au (HKG)
[10] Joshna Chinappa (IND) v [Q] Nadine Shahin (EGY)
Line Hansen (DEN) v [8]

Rio 2016: N Ramachandran awarded the Olympic Order by IOC President Thomas Bach

Rio de Janeiro: President of the Indian Olympic Committee N Ramachandran was, on Monday, awarded the Olympic Order for his outstanding services to the Olympic movement.
The Olympic Order is the highest award of the Olympic Movement and is awarded for particularly distinguished contributions to the Olympic Movement, that is, recognition of efforts worthy of merit in the cause of sport.
It was established in May 1975.
The President of the IOC, Thomas Bach, formally presented the award to Ramachandran and congratulated the IOA President, saying the award was in recognition of his contribution to the Indian Olympic Movement.
"I am humbled by the honour and it is indeed one of the best moments of my career in sports administration. I am extremely grateful to the IOC President, Dr Thomas Bach and the IOC Executive Board for choosing me for this award. This award belongs to the entire country," Ramachandran said.
Ramachandran has been actively associated with several sports organisations. He has held several positions of responsibility contributed hugely to the Olympic movement.
He was President of the Indian Triathlon Federation, and later the Secretary General of the Squash Rackets Federation of India. He made Chennai the "Squash capital" of India.
In 2001, he was elected as the President of the Asian Squash Federation and was re-elected to this position in 2005.
Ramachandran was appointed as an Associate Vice President of the Indian Olympic Association in 2001 and elected a Vice-President in 2005.
In 2008, Ramachandran was elected as Presidenash Federation

#Welovesquash

#Welovesquash is trending on twitter / Instagram @9jasquashmedia,we encourage every squash players,Lovers, fans in 147 countries in the world to follow the trend
Why is the world most healthiest sport not in the Olympics
What are your views and opinions towards this?
What should the WSF & PSA do for squash players to fulfill their dream?
Let's talk about this,follow the #tag #Welovesquash

ReutersSquash might not be part of the Rio Olympics currently but India's squash players have made the country proud.

ReutersSquash might not be part of the Rio Olympics currently but India's squash players have made the country proud. Indian pair of the Dipika Pallikal and Saurav Ghosal won the silver medal at the mixed doubles event of the world doubles squash championship after going down to New Zealand's Joelle King and Paul Coll in the final on Thursday. Dipika and Ghosal lost 8-11, 8-11 to Joelle and Paul in the final to miss the gold medal.It was the best-ever performance by India in this championship as overall they won a total of three medals. Besides Dipika and Saurav winning the silver, the other mixed pair of Joshna Chinappa and Harinder Pal Sandhu as also the doubles pair of Joshna and Dipika won a bronze medal each for being the losing semi-finalists.OrissapostIn addition the men's doubles pair of Harinder and Ramit Tandon went on to finish a creditable fifth at the end of the play offs. India's squash coach is a happy man after the tournament. "Which ever way one viewed it, this has been a fabulous show overall by the Indians. Returning with three medals is something to be proud of and the players surely need a pat on their backs for this," said national coach Cyrus Poncha, who had accompanied the Indian squad.It was an unexpected end for Dipika and Saurav as the duo had beaten the New Zealand pair in the league just a day earlier. The Indian pair played well but failed to create the same magic. The New Zealanders played to a plan, never allowing either Saurav or Dipika to settle to any strategy. Returns were quick and varied to create hectic activity on the court.While the Indians were under pressure, they still matched point for point. Where they missed out was in not able to come up with right variations. Rallies were few but Paul in particular and Joelle showed the touch to get the drops going well and also hitting the ball through the middle to leave the Indians stranded at times. Indians lacked that finesse though an occasional Dipika floater did raise optimism.The contest was more evenly poised in the second game but where the New Zealanders drew comfort was in not conceding any lead at any stage. It was a case of slow and steady progress to eventual success, all in 34 minutes.With PTI inputsStay updated with all that's buzzing and trending with Indiatimes app!

Mosaad Out of Hong Kong Open

World Championship runner-up Omar Mosaad has withdrawn from next week’s Cathay Pacific Sun Hung Kai Financial Hong Kong Open due to illness.


The Egyptian World No.3’s withdrawal from the World Series tournament means that Colombia’s Miguel Angel Rodriguez takes his place as the number three seed, while World No.10 Tarek Momen will now face a qualifier instead of Simon Rösner in round one.


Mexico’s Cesar Salazar moves into the main draw and will take on German No.1 Rösner for a place in the second round.


Revised Main Draw - Men’s 2016 Cathay Pacific Sun Hung Kai Financial Hong Kong Open

[1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) v Chris Simpson (ENG)

Leo Au (HKG) v Cameron Pilley (AUS)

Mazen Hesham (EGY) v [Qualifier]

Borja Golan (ESP) v [6] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY)

Tarek Momen (EGY) v [Qualifier]

Tom Richards (ENG) v James Willstrop (ENG)

Ryan Cuskelly (AUS) v [Qualifier]

[WC] Tsz Fung Yip (HKG) v [3] Miguel Angel Rodriguez (COL)

[4] Marwan ElShorbagy (EGY) v [Qualifier]

Ramy Ashour (EGY) v Saurav Ghosal (IND)

Cesar Salazar (MEX) v Simon Rösner (GER)

[Qualifier] v [5] Mathieu Castagnet (FRA)

[7] Ali Farag (EGY) v [Qualifier]

Max Lee (HKG) v [Qualifier]

Fares Dessouky (EGY) v Mohamed Abouelghar (EGY)

[Qualifier] v [2] Gregory Gaultier (FRA)

These Three Guys Are Bringing Squash to New York’s Public Spaces In an effort to battle the sport’s “preppy problem,” a startup hopes to make squash facilities more available to all.

Source: Public Squash Foundation
SPORT

These Three Guys Are Bringing Squash to New York’s Public Spaces
In an effort to battle the sport’s “preppy problem,” a startup hopes to make squash facilities more available to all.


  Noah Davis

Hamilton Fish Park, a 116-year-old space on Manhattan’s Lower East Side, is getting a thoroughly modern upgrade later this month when one of its two handball courts is converted into a state-of-the art, all-weather outdoor squash court.
Public squash courts are a rarity in New York City. Most facilities exist in private clubs whose memberships cost hundreds of dollars a month, lending to the sport’s larger preppy problem: Outside of college students and the wealthy in America, most people don’t have access to squash courts anywhere (or don’t know that they do).

Public Squash Foundation directors (from left to right): Alex Wakefield Wessner, Shawn Dragann, Ryan Underwood Wall. Source: Public Squash Foundation
Alex Wakefield Wessner, Shawn Dragann, and Ryan Underwood Wall, founders of the Public Squash Foundation (PSF), wanted to change that. Last year they pitched the Department of Parks and Recreation on their idea: building a squash court on one of the city’s more than 2,000 handball courts, many of which are underutilized. City officials liked the project and picked the spot. “Hamilton Fish Park is located in a densely populated neighborhood and is surrounded by numerous schools, giving kids the opportunity to be exposed to a sport that they may not have had the chance to try,” a Parks Department spokesperson says.
The PSF trio, who worked together at Digitas Health, started playing squash with each other almost a decade ago in Philadelphia and fell in love with the game. Their friendship developed on the court, and they began talking about how they could help encourage more people to pick up their adopted game. The need was obvious: more courts.
Dragann, Wall, and Wessner raised more than $70,000 through PSF’s website and from other fundraisers, and received an interest-free loan of $30,000 from a supporter of the project to make it happen. The court, which will stay up for a year, costs around $85,000 to install and includes safety glass and subfloor drainage mats to make it viable outside. It’s designed by specialty court manufacturer ASB specifically for the project, which gives PSF added validation. “The Professional Squash Association uses ASB courts for their matches,” Wessner says. “US Squash uses them, too.”

A rendering of the squash court at Hamilton Fish Recreation Center. Source: Public Squash Foundation
The court is 100 percent public, with no booking systems and what Wall describes as “pretty much street rules” when it comes to getting on to play. Anyone who brings their own equipment can play for free. People without squash rackets will have access to free rentals after joining the nearby Hamilton Fish Recreation Center for $100 per year.

ASB’s 100 percent outdoor-proof floor combines grip and elasticity with subfloor drainage mats. Source: Public Squash Foundation
For its founders, the court on the Lower East Side is hopefully just the beginning for the public squash project. The crew plans to keep tabs on the court’s activity via a time-lapse camera and hopes to show the success of the idea through high usage. After a year, PSF and the Parks Department will reassess. “There are no plans in place to install another court at this time, but we would be open to a second installation pending the success of this project,” says a Parks Department spokesperson. “We look forward to offering New Yorkers a new and different way to stay fit and enjoy parks.” (Forbes has called squash the healthiest sport, as players can burn more than 800 calories an hour.)
Dragann, Wall, and Wessner plan to take the public squash concept farther afield, too. They want to get the cost per court below the currently “unscalable” $85,000,

U.S. junior men's squash team makes history at worlds squash Junior championship

The U.S. junior men's squash team recorded a historic victory over France in the 2016 World Junior men's team championship quarterfinals Monday, defeating the No. 2 seeded French, 2-1, with victories from Andrew Douglas and Sam Scherl to reach Team USA's first semifinal at Enjoy Squash in Bielso-Biala, Poland.

Menlo School grad Gabriel Morgan is on the Americans roster. He reached the third round of the individual tournament and won in his only appearance of the team event.
The U.S. reached the quarterfinals following a 2-1 victory over Jordan Sunday, while France enjoyed a rest day.

"Our match against Jordan last night was a tough one and we finished quite late," said U.S. coach Adam Hamill. "We did a lot of recovery and came into the quarterfinals believing we had a real chance."

With the order of play set as 2-1-3, Team USA's Spencer Lovejoy led off against France's Victor Crouin, who is ranked world No. 199 on the PSA tour.

After three long games, Crouin was on the verge of closing out the match in the fourth game with four game balls at 10-6. But Lovejoy dug deep to fight off four match balls and force a fifth game 15-13. The marathon fourth game took its toll on Lovejoy in the fifth game as Crouin controlled the fifth 11-3 to hand France a 1-0 lead.

"Spencer played outstanding squash against a very strong Victor Crouin, pushing hard to get the fourth," Hamill said. "Crouin showed his experience in the fifth and played attacking squash to give France the first tie."

The No. 1's followed on court next with U.S. junior champion Douglas pitted against Benjamin Aubert, who is ranked world No. 166 on the PSA tour. France were one game from reaching the semifinals after Abubert took the first two games 11-3, 11-8. The Frenchman led the third 3-0, but Douglas came back to take the third 11-9. Down 3-0 early in the fourth, Douglas staged another come back to force a fifth game 11-8. The American stormed to victory winning the fifth 11-3 to level the score at 1-1.

"Andrew has had an unbelievable week, first taking Eain Yow world junior champion to five games then another five games against the Jordan No. 1." Hamill said. "Andrew had a slow start Physically against the French No. 1, however as the match progressed Andrew found more accuracy to slowly breakdown the Frenchman winning in five and keeping Team USA in the match."

The decisive match came down to the No. 3's, Team USA's Scherl against France's Sebastien Bonmalais. Scherl continued the U.S. momentum by winning the opening two games 11-5, 11-6. A closer third game saw Scherl poised to seal the match with with match ball at 10-9, but Bonmalais fought back to force overtime. Scherl squandered two more match balls, and Bonmalais capitalized on his third game ball to send the match to a fourth game 15-13. A determined Scherl pulled away from 5-5 to clinch the historic victory for Team USA 11-6 in seventy minutes.

"Sam took the court with the match all tied, handling the pressure like a pro and playing solid and varied squash," Hamill said. "The French No. 3 moved like a dream and was seemingly impossible to put away. Scherl, however found a way after almost seventy minutes to secure victory for the U.S."

The result guarantees that the U.S. will top its previous best junior men's team finish of seventh place set in 2002.

"As coach I am truly overwhelmed at the team's performance," Hamill said. "This is a deserved win, which they have all worked extremely hard for over months and years. Having Alex Stait and physiologist Jeremy Mayer to keep the players moving makes all the difference. This is a historic moment for the US Junior Men's team, with a guaranteed highest finish. We're incredibly grateful for the support we have received from US Squash to make this event possible for us all."

WSF World Doubles – Australia

The World Squash Federation World Doubles Championships are under way in Darwin, Australia.

Full Coverage on the WSF World Doubles Site

Most Lucrative NetSuite Open Ever Draws World's Best Female Players

Eight-time World Champion Nicol David and 2013 World Champion Laura Massaro will be the star attractions at the 2016 NetSuite Open when the tournament, which has doubled prize money year-on-year, gets underway in front of San Francisco's Oakland Bay bridge and Ferry Terminal on Tuesday September 27.

David and Massaro, two of the most successful female players of all time, will be joined by the likes of New Zealand's Commonwealth Games Medalist Joelle King and home favourite Amanda Sobhy, the Boston-based 21-year-old Harvard-gradute and defending champion ranked No.8 in the world, at the event which takes place in a specially constructed outdoor arena on Justin Herman Plaza.

Massaro, who held the World No.1 ranking from January to April this year, will face American number two Olivia Blatchford in the first round while David, who topped the World Rankings for an unprecedented nine years from 2006-2015, will open her campaign against local wildcard Reyna Pacheco - a Mexican immigrant who discovered the sport via an Urban Squash programme in San Diego.

"Having committed to doubling the prize money available at this year's Women's tournament we are pleased to see that some of the biggest names in women's squash will make their debuts in San Francisco next month," said Tournament promoter John Nimick.

"The likes of Nicol David and Laura Massaro are up there with the most successful female players of all time and have lit up squash courts all over the world with their exploits. Their presence at the tournament will serve to help inspire everyone involved in the local squash community.

"With seven of the world's top 20 players in action I believe we’re in for a special tournament in September."

A total of 28 players from 14 countries will compete across the tournament, with qualification starting on Sunday September 25 at the Olympic Club and the Bay Club San Francisco.

2016 NetSuite Open - Women's First Round Draw
[1] Laura Massaro (ENG) v Olivia Blatchford (USA)
[Qualifier] v [5] Victoria Lust (ENG)
[8] Heba El Torky (EGY) v [Qualifier]
Line Hansen (DEN) v [4] Joelle King (NZL)
[3] Amanda Sobhy (USA) v [Qualifier]
Coline Aumard (FRA) v [7] Joey Chan (HKG)
[6] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) v [Qualifier]
[WC] Reyna Pacheco (USA) v [2] Nicol David (MAS)

Tickets for the 2016 NetSuite Open are priced from $20 and can be purchased by visiting http://netsuiteopensquash.tix.com

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Give squash a chance its due at the Olympics-OMOTADE Isaac

Yemisi Olatunji -Nigeria with her opponent in South Africa #Squashgirlscan

Squash, the world most healthiest sport has been denied Olympic status for more than a decade.
Leading up to the Rio Olympiad, the International Olympic Committee announced that skateboarding, karate, baseball, sport climbing and surfing will be part of the 2020 Games in Tokyo. Absent from the list is squash (world most healthiest sport), a racket sport that has been denied Olympic status for more than a decade.

Although getting a sport involved in Olympics is a long and arduous process, it’s surprising that some seemingly minor sports have been given priority over a game that is played by millions of people in more than 175 countries.
In Nigeria for example with 36 state including her Federal capital teritory,you can find atleast two squash court in each state,that's about 72 standard squash courts; Lagos alone which is like the citadel of squash players across Nigeria has over 50 squash courts in different locations including sport clubs, hotels, Recreational clubs,Stadium, Squash Academy (Head waters Squash Academy for Teens ); hosting tournament for young and pro players almost every week which serves as a major source of income for most e.g The Apapa Open Squash League, Annual cargolux squash tournanent,Lagos Classic, Governors cup etc. Nigeria alone can boast of over 500 players, 50 professional squash players both male and female most who represents in some major PSA Tournament,with the likes of Nigeria no 1 Tunde Ajagbe, wale Amao, Moses Durosinmi, Lanre Abdulrahman, Endurance Emoso, wasiu Bello, Aliu Quadri, Yemisi Olatunji (current female no1), Seun Jayeola, Idowu Eninakure, Olumide Folawewo, sodiq, Shittu Adeola, Omotade Isaac,moshood mamood, Taiwo, Apata Bunmi, Gbenga Adeyi etc

What’s more, the participation level of squash is growing worldwide, including in Africa regions,Egypt for example has consistently produced some of the best players. Egyptian player Mohamed Elshorbagy is the world number one, with five other Egyptians in the top 10.

If the Olympics are to reflect which sports are played across the world, then squash surely has a compelling claim for inclusion.

Equal Pay On Show As World No.1s Lead Squash Back To Great Pyramid Of Giza

The Great Pyramid of Giza - one of the seven wonders of the world - will provide the backdrop to a five-day squash extravaganza this September that will see Egyptian World No.1s Mohamed ElShorbagy and Nour El Sherbini lead a star-studded field at the 2016 Al Ahram International - the iconic tournament which returns to the PSA World Tour calendar for the first time since 2006.

Taking place in an open-air court in front of the Pyramids from September 19-23, the Al Ahram International will see players competing for a share of the $200k prize fund which will be split evenly across the Men's and Women's draws - the first time a major tournament in Egypt has offered parity in prize money.

Having dominated the Men's Tour in 2015/16, claiming an unprecedented six of seven World Series titles, ElShorbagy will be firm favourite to claim the men's crown while fellow Alexandrian El Sherbini, the 20-year-old World Champion and British Open Champion, is odds-on to deliver double home success.

ElShorbagy's main rivals will come in the form of compatriots Omar Mosaad, the 2015 World Championship runner-up, three-time World Champion Ramy Ashour and French danger-man Mathieu Castagnet while El Sherbini will have to be at her best to hold off the challenge of Malaysian eight-time World Champion Nicol David and former World No.1 Raneem El Welily.

"This September's tournament in front of the Great Pyramid of Giza is certain to be one the most spectacular settings in world sport and we are excited to be working with all partners to help ensure the tournament is a success," said PSA CEO Alex Gough.

"Squash has an unmatched ability to showcase the most stunning locations in the world and the strength and depth in the playing field will lead to a truly spectacular exhibition of world class sport for both spectators and television viewers."

A total of 56 players from 13 nations will travel to Giza for the tournament, with qualification beginning on Saturday September 17 at Cairo's Le Lido City View Clubhouse.

Al Ahram International - Men's First Round Draw
[1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) v Cameron Pilley (AUS)
[WC] Youssef Soliman (EGY) v [7] Simon Rösner (GER)
[8] Ramy Ashour (EGY) v [Qualifier]
Fares Dessouky (EGY) v [3] Mathieu Castagnet (FRA)
[4] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) v [Qualifier]
[Qualifier] v [6] Tarek Momen (EGY)
[5] Ali Farag (EGY) v Borja Golan (ESP)
[Qualifier] v [2] Omar Mosaad (EGY)

Al Ahram International - Women's First Round Draw
[1] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) v [Qualifier]
[Qualifier] v [6] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY)
[8] Alison Waters (ENG) v Victoria Lust (ENG)
[WC] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) v [4] Nouran Gohar (EGY)
[3] Raneem El Welily (EGY) v Joshna Chinappa (IND)
[Qualifier] v [7] Amanda Sobhy (USA)
[5] Camille Serme (FRA) v Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG)
[Qualifier] v [2] Nicol David (MAS)

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