King leads Kiwis to successful defence of World Doubles titles in Manchester

King leads Kiwis to successful defence of World 

Doubles titles in Manchester

In a disappointing finals day for British duos at the WSF World Doubles Squash Championships in England, New Zealand retained both the Women’s and Mixed gold medals whilst Australia reclaimed the Men’s title after upsetting the defending champions in the climax of the World Squash Federation event at the National Squash Centre in Manchester.

Kiwi Joelle King was the star of the day, first partnering Amanda Landers-Murphy in the Women’s final to beat English outsiders Jenny Duncalf & Alison Waters (pictured above), fighting back from a game down and saving three match-balls from 10-8 in the decider to win 9-11, 11-1, 11-10 in 46 minutes.

Immediately afterwards, the 28-year-old world No.12 from Cambridge linked up with Paul Coll to face England pair Alison Waters & Daryl Selby in the Mixed final – Londoner Waters celebrating her 109th cap for England but a second silver medal in less than an hour after the Kiwi conquerors grabbed an 11-8, 9-11, 11-6 victory in 47 minutes.

“That was so tough,” said a delighted and relieved Landers-Murphy after her second gold medal since first winning the title with King in Darwin, Australia, a year ago. “We were ahead in all the games, just glad that we could stay strong and keep it together at the end.”

Duncalf, the 34-year-old former world No.2, said: “Losing 11-10 in the third is always quite tough. We did well to win the first and then the second was a bit of a disaster. The third was very up and down and they won it right at the end. They are the defending champions and we knocked out the Commonwealth gold medallists (Joshna Chinappa and Dipika Pallikal of India) so we’re very pleased with that.”

Coll, also a gold medallist for the second time in a year (pictured above in final action), said after his Manchester gold: “We felt good together again today. We dropped off a bit in the second, but managed to get early leads in the first and third, which always takes the pressure off.

“We have a great team spirit in the Kiwi camp. It’s been a tough week to start the season off, but a lot of fun, and we’re obviously delighted to be going back with more gold medals!”

Englishman Selby, like Waters a World Doubles finalist for the first time, said: “We were seeded five so to win a silver medal is a fantastic achievement – to push the reigning world champions as hard as we did is really pleasing. Al and Joelle both did really well to play two matches in a row and we weren’t far away in the end.”

Continuing the Antipodean run in Manchester, Australians Ryan Cuskelly & Cameron Pilley took gold in the Men’s event (pictured above) – despatching Scotland’s reigning champions and top seeds Alan Clyne & Greg Lobban 11-6, 11-3 in 34 minutes.

“We’ve had a lot of tough matches with them,” said Australian number one Pilley, renowned as the one of the hardest hitters of the ball (pictured below with all fellow gold medallists). “They beat us last year so it was good to turn the tables this time. There were some brutal rallies in the first, but we stuck to our game plan and it worked out, then in the second we continued to execute and they made a few errors which helped our cause.”

Bronze medals were awarded to the losing semi-finalists – thus, in addition to New Zealand, Australia, England and Scotland, medals also went to India and Wales.

MEN’S Final:
[2] Ryan Cuskelly & Cameron Pilley (AUS) bt [1] Alan Clyne & Greg Lobban (SCO) 11-6, 11-3 (34m)
Bronze Medallists:
[4] Paul Coll & Campbell Grayson (NZL), [5] Declan James & James Willstrop (ENG)

WOMEN’S Final:
[1] Joelle King & Amanda Landers-Murphy (NZL) bt [5] Jenny Duncalf & Alison Waters (ENG) 9-11, 11-1, 11-10 (46m)
Bronze Medallists:
[2] Joshna Chinappa & Dipika Pallikal Karthik (IND), [3] Rachael Grinham & Donna Urquhart (AUS)

MIXED Final:
[1] Joelle King & Paul Coll (NZL) bt [5] Alison Waters & Daryl Selby (ENG) 11-8, 9-11, 11-6 (47m)
Bronze Medallists: [7] Tesni Evans & Peter Creed (WAL), [4] Rachael Grinham & David Palmer (AUS)

FULL WORLD DOUBLES COVERAGE 

Home Pairs Claim Surprise Semi Slots at World Doubles in Manchester

The quarter-final stage of the WSF World Doubles Squash Championships in England produced two surprise semi-final pairs for the hosts at the National Squash Centre in Manchester.

Jenny Duncalf & Alison Waters, the fifth seeds who upset the form book by beating higher-seeded English compatriots Laura Massaro & Sarah-Jane Perry to finish in pole position in Pool D in the Women’s event, secured their place in the last four when sixth-seeded Malaysian pair Rachel Arnold & Nicol David were forced to concede the match due to an injury to Arnold.

“It’s never the way you want to win,” said Duncalf (pictured above with Waters, commiserating with Arnold & David), a former world No.2 from Harrogate. “But we’re delighted to be in the semis.”

The English underdogs will face second seeds Joshna Chinappa & Dipika Pallikal Karthik after the Indians – winners of the Commonwealth Games gold medal in 2014 in Glasgow – survived a close three-game tussle with Canadians Samantha Cornett & Nikki Todd, dropping the first game but pulling away at the end of the third.

“They played well and surprised us,” admitted Pallikal. “We’re just glad to get through that one and be in the semis.”

England’s other unexpected semi-finalists are Declan James & James Willstrop, the fifth seeds in the Men’s event who upset the third-seeded Australian duo Zac Alexander & David Palmer (all pictured below) 11-10, 6-11, 11-9 in 77 minutes.

“My partner played brilliantly tonight,” Willstrop, 33, said. “He had to put up with a lot of striking down the backhand side and you don’t get the rewards straight away in doubles and you have to have the mental strength to keep going and know that the momentum can swing in your favour in the match.

“I had complete confidence in Dec tonight, it was coming on to his forehand a lot and he handled it.”

The longest game in the event so far came only hours James & Willstrop had to book their place in the quarter-finals by beating Scots Douglas Kempsell & Kevin Moran in the third and final Pool round.

There will also be Australian and New Zealand interest in both the Men’s and Women’s semi-finals.

Rachael Grinham, the former world number from Queensland who is bidding for a record fourth World Doubles gold medal in Manchester, partnered Donna Urquhart to a 10-11, 11-9, 11-8 win over England’s Massaro & Perry.

“It was all Rachael today,” said left-hander Urquhart (hugging Grinham above). “It was her type of crosscourt game and she played really well to get us back into it in the third.”

Scotland’s men’s title-holders Alan Clyne & Greg Lobban extended their unbeaten run in the event with an 11-4, 11-7 win over Welsh pair Peter Creed & Joel Makin.

“We played good doubles in the first game, moving them around and controlling things,” said Clyne. “The second was a bit messy, but we worked well together to get through. It’s good to get another two-nil win under our belts.”

A full day of action in the Mixed event produced the line-up for Friday’s quarter-finals – which includes outsiders Lisa Aitken & Douglas Kempsell, the 13/16 seeds from Scotland who scored their fourth successive pool win today by beating South Africans Milnay Louw & Christo Potgieter 11-5, 11-8.

In only their second ever appearance in the World Doubles Championships, Colombia achieved their first win today when 13/16 seeds Catalina Pelaez & Andrés Herrera beat Scots Carrie Hallam & Chris Leiper (pictured below) in straight games in the final pool round in the Mixed event.

MEN’S quarter-finals:
[1] Alan Clyne & Greg Lobban (SCO) bt [7] Peter Creed & Joel Makin (WAL) 11-4, 11-7 (37m)
[4] Paul Coll & Campbell Grayson (NZL) bt [6] Tom Richards & Daryl Selby (ENG) 11-7, 11-7 (47m)
[5] Declan James & James Willstrop (ENG) bt [3] Zac Alexander & David Palmer (AUS) 11-10, 6-11, 11-9 (77m)
[2] Ryan Cuskelly & Cameron Pilley (AUS) bt Dylan Bennett & Piedro Schweertman (NED) 11-7, 11-1 (20m)

WOMEN’S quarter-finals:
[1] Joelle King & Amanda Landers-Murphy (NZL) bt [7] Tesni Evans & Deon Saffery (WAL) 11-9, 11-8 (38m)
[3] Rachael Grinham & Donna Urquhart (AUS) bt [4] Laura Massaro & Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) 10-11, 11-9, 11-8 (54m)
[5] Jenny Duncalf & Alison Waters (ENG) bt [6] Rachel Arnold & Nicol David (MAS) w/o
[2] Joshna Chinappa & Dipika Pallikal Karthik (IND) bt [8] Samantha Cornett & Nikki Todd (CAN) 10-11, 11-6, 11-8 (44m)

MIXED quarter-final line-up:
Lisa Aitken & Douglas Kempsell (SCO) v [7] Tesni Evans & Peter Creed (WAL)
[3] Donna Urquhart & Cameron Pilley (AUS) v [5] Alison Waters & Daryl Selby (ENG)
[4] Rachael Grinham & David Palmer (AUS) v [6] Joshna Chinappa & Vikram Malhotra (IND)
[2] Dipika Pallikal Karthik & Saurav Ghosal (IND) v [1] Joelle King & Paul Coll (NZL)

FULL WSF WORLD DOUBLES COVERAGE

Team Nigeria Triumphs at the just concluded safe guard Zimbabwe open squash championship

Sodiq (left) 

Yemisi (Right) extreme

Sodiq Taiwo & Yemisi Olatunji are the winners of the just concluded safe guard Zimbabwe open squash championship; male & female categories respectively

 Men's 3rd n 4th place
Manda Chilambwe(Zam) beat Frank Wabo (Zam) 3-0...11-5, 11-7, 11-7  in 33 mins.

 Day 3...
Plate final
Ryan Gwidzima (Zim) beat Brighton Nyakabawo (Zim) 3-0...11-7, 11-5, 11-4. Ryan is 11 years and is the Zim Under 13 champion..Brighton is 16 years.
 Plate final-16 mins

 Men's final
Sadiq beat Lanre 3-2 in a high pulsating match that was decided in the last 5th game...15-13, 9-11, 11-8, 6-11, 11-7.A high standard of squash was exhibited and could have gone either way..The referees were made to sweat with inch close decisions as they used the 3 referee system.The match took 86 mins more than the doubles match.

 Doubles final
Neil Nesbitt and Mike Burns (Zim) beat Matthew Mullaji and Janeel Giga (Zim) 3-1..12-10, 7-11, 11-3, 11-7 in 74 mins.

 Ladies final
Yemisi beat Yvonne Mubure (Zim) 3-0...12-10, 11-5, 11-4  in 44 mins.

 Veterans finals
Jeff Fenwick(Zim) beat Freddy Chishimba (Zam) 3-2 in an exciting match that could have gone either way. 4-11, 5-11, 11-6, 11-6, 13-11 were the scores in 38 mins.

King & Waters Waltz Into Two World Finals In Manchester

Local hero Alison Waters and New Zealander Joelle King will face each twice in Saturday’s finals of the WSF World Doubles Squash Championships in England after both came through tough semi-finals in the World Squash Federation event at the National Squash Centre in Manchester.

Waters and former world No.2 Jenny Duncalf, fifth seeds in the Women’s championship, produced their second upset in the event when they recovered from a game down to beat second-seeded Indians Joshna Chinappa & Dipika Pallikal Karthik 6-11, 11-6, 11-8 in 50 minutes.

“I was really under the cosh in the first,” admitted Duncalf (pictured above with Waters) after their shock victory over the 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medallists. “They’re obviously very experienced at this and the pace and power of their shots was catching us out. But we changed tactics in the second and managed to work it out.

“Ali and I are best friends and we always thought we’d play well together. She was injured for Glasgow so hopefully we can stay together for one more shot at the Commonwealths next year.

“For now though, we’re just really chuffed to be in the final.”

Londoner Waters then paired up with England team-mate Daryl Selby for the Mixed semi-finals – in which they were also 5th seeds. In one of the closest matches in the competition, the English duo prevailed over Tesni Evans & Peter Creed, the No.7 seeds from Wales, 11-10, 10-11, 11-8 in 68 minutes.

“It was a tough battle, we thought we’d won it in the second at 8/2 but they fought back so well,” said Selby (pictured above with Waters). “They’re very gritty and tough competitors with lots of skill and good movement, so we just had to try to keep it steady.

“It was probably my least effective mixed match so far, but Ali did really well, considering she’d just had an hour’s women’s match!”

Waters was thrilled with her unexpected success: “It feels great to be in two finals after two tough matches,” said Waters. “I’ll be playing the Kiwis in both so it’s the same for them, really looking forward to it.”

King, a double gold medallist in the 2016 World Doubles in Darwin, reached her second successive Mixed final with Paul Coll after seeing off Aussie Commonwealth games gold medallists Rachael Grinham & David Palmer 11-8, 11-8.

“We lost a pool match last year and managed to come back then,” said Coll (pictured above with King). “We feel comfortable with how we’re playing, Joelle is hitting the ball better and better, and we know what to expect of each other. We’re playing well and obviously we’re pleased to be back in the final.”

King was paired with Amanda Landers-Murphy in the Women’s semis where they received a walkover from Aussies Rachael Grinham & Donna Urquhartafter Urquhart was forced to withdraw following a calf injury.

Scotland’s reigning champions Alan Clyne & Greg Lobban returned to the Men’s final for the second time in a row after beating Kiwis Paul Coll & Campbell Grayson 11-8, 8-11, 11-8.

“We always knew it would be a long, tough match against them,” said Lobban. “Keeping it tight and not making mistakes, that’s their strength. But we knew that if we stuck to our game plan and played well we could win.

“We maybe saw the finishing line a bit early in the second and stopped attacking, which you just can’t do in doubles, but we managed to get back in track in the third. Great to keep the title defence going…”

Their final opponents will be Aussies Ryan Cuskelly & Cameron Pilley after the No.2 seeds beat England’s Declan James & James Willstrop 11-3, 11-7.

“We got off to a good start, and kept our concentration to finish it off,” said left-hander Cuskelly (pictured below with Pilley). “We lost a bit of focus in the second, but from 7-all we tightened up again and finished it off well.

“That’s our best performance in the tournament so far, it seems we’re getting better round by round, just how we like it!”

MEN’S semi-finals:
[1] Alan Clyne & Greg Lobban (SCO) bt [4] Paul Coll & Campbell Grayson (NZL) 11-8, 8-11, 11-8 (82m)
[2] Ryan Cuskelly & Cameron Pilley (AUS) bt [5] Declan James & James Willstrop (ENG) 11-3, 11-7 (37m)

WOMEN’S semi-finals:
[1] Joelle King & Amanda Landers-Murphy (NZL) bt [3] Rachael Grinham & Donna Urquhart (AUS) w/o
[5] Jenny Duncalf & Alison Waters (ENG) bt [2] Joshna Chinappa & Dipika Pallikal Karthik (IND) 6-11, 11-6, 11-8 (50m)

MIXED semi-finals:
[5] Alison Waters & Daryl Selby (ENG) bt [7] Tesni Evans & Peter Creed (WAL) 11-10, 10-11, 11-8 (68m)
[1] Joelle King & Paul Coll (NZL) bt [4] Rachael Grinham & David Palmer (AUS) 11-8, 11-8 (29m)

FULL WORLD DOUBLES COVERAGE 

El Sherbini Tops Women’s World Rankings for 16th Consecutive Month

Egypt’s two-time World Champion Nour El Sherbini has maintained her position as World No.1 for the 16th month in a row after the release of the PSA Women’s World Rankings today (August 1). El Sherbini - whose 16-month reign atop the World Rankings now matches that of former World Champions Rachael Grinham and Cassie Jackson - heads an unchanged top 20 that sees Raneem El Welily, Camille Serme, Laura Massaro and Nouran Gohar retain their places in the top five. Legendary Malaysian Nicol David comes next at No.6, with Sarah-Jane Perry, Amanda Sobhy, Alison Waters and Annie Au round out the top 10. Egypt’s former World No.5 Nour El Tayeb sits a place outside at No.11, while English duo Emily Whitlock and Victoria Lust remain at No.13 and No.15, respectively.  The top 20 is completed by Tesni Evans (No.16), Olivia Blatchford (No.17), Donna Urquhart (No.18), Joey Chan (No.19), Salma Hany Ibrahim (No.20). Elsewhere, Australia’s Christine Nunn is one of the biggest movers on the Women’s Tour after the 26-year-old from Melbourne moved up 25 places to No.73 courtesy of her title-winning displays at the South Australian Open last month. PSA Women’s World Rankings Top 20 - August 2017 RANK NAME NATIONALITY POINTS UP/Down 1 Nour El Sherbini EGY 1,439.375 = 2 Raneem El Welily EGY 1,246.250 = 3 Camille Serme FRA 1,245.000 = 4 Laura Massaro ENG 1,133.750 = 5 Nouran Gohar EGY 967.500 = 6 Nicol David MAS 796.875 = 7 Sarah-Jane Perry ENG 706.250 = 8 Amanda Sobhy USA 660.625 = 9 Alison Waters ENG 501.111 = 10 Annie Au HKG 454.444 = 11 Nour El Tayeb EGY 413.125 = 12 Joelle King NZL 412.222 = 13 Emily Whitlock ENG 396.875 = 14 Joshna Chinappa IND 374.444 = 15 Victoria Lust ENG 307.778 = 16 Tesni Evans WAL 301.111 = 17 Olivia Blatchford USA 291.667 = 18 Donna Urquhart AUS 280.000 = 19 Joey Chan HKG 256.250 = 20 Salma Hany Ibrahim EGY 253.125 = -ends-

Gaultier Equals Compatriot Lincou in Unchanged Men’s Top 20 Rankings



Frenchman Gregory Gaultier has drawn level with compatriot Thierry Lincou as the longest serving French World No.1 ever after the PSA Men’s World Rankings, released today (August 1), saw the 34-year-old record his 14th month atop the standings to equal Lincou’s reign between January 2004 - December 2005.


Gaultier - who tops the World Rankings for a third successive month - now sits joint 10th on the list of the longest ever reigns at the summit of the Men’s World Rankings, alongside former World Champions Lincou and Canadian Jonathon Power.


The rest of the world’s top 20 remains unchanged, with Karim Abdel Gawad, Mohamed ElShorbagy, Nick Matthew and Ali Farag competing the top five.


Former World No.1 James Willstrop of England sits at No.6 with Marwan ElShorbagy, Ramy Ashour, Tarek Momen and Fares Dessouky making up the rest of the seven-strong Egyptian contingent inside the world’s top 10.


Germany’s Simon Rösner sits a place outside the top 10 at No.11, while Paul Coll, Daryl Selby, Ryan Cuskelly and Mohamed Abouelghar round out the top 15.


20-year-old Diego Elias - the first Peruvian ever to reach the world’s top 20 - spends his third consecutive month at a career-high No.19 ranking, with South Africa’s Stephen Coppinger sitting a place behind him.


Elsewhere, India’s Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu won both the South Australian Open and Victorian Open in July and is rewarded with a 12-place increase to World No.65, making him the third highest-ranked Indian on the PSA World Tour.


PSA Men’s World Rankings Top 20 - August 2017


RANK

NAME

NATIONALITY

POINTS

UP/Down

1

Gregory Gaultier

FRA

1,729.091

=

2

Karim Abdel Gawad

EGY

1,712.000

=

3

Mohamed ElShorbagy

EGY

1,176.500

=

4

Nick Matthew

ENG

916.500

=

5

Ali Farag

EGY

803.500

=

6

James Willstrop

ENG

748.500

=

7

Marwan ElShorbagy

EGY

696.364

=

8

Ramy Ashour

EGY

681.000

=

9

Tarek Momen

EGY

606.818

=

10

Fares Dessouky

EGY

593.500

=

11

Simon Rösner

GER

539.000

=

12

Paul Coll

NZL

520.000

=

13

Daryl Selby

ENG

488.636

=

14

Ryan Cuskelly

AUS

475.455

=

15

Mohamed Abouelghar

EGY

435.000

=

16

Borja Golan

ESP

411.500

=

17

Max Lee

HKG

405.000

=

18

Cameron Pilley

AUS

401.364

=

19

Diego Elias

PER

382.500

=

20

Stephen Coppinger

RSA

364.500

=

Update from the ongoing safe guard Zimbabwe open Squash Championship- Team Nigeria sails to the final

 Results Zim Open Friday-Day 1
Olanrewaju Abdulraham
1st match-Bye
2nd match-vs Dexter Herbst (Zim)
Won 3-0...11-4, 11-4, 11-3. 
Through to 1/4 finals.

Sadiq Taiwo
1st match-Bye
2nd match-vs Talent Mushunje (Zim)
Won 3-0..11-3, 17-15, 11-5.
Through to 1/4 finals.

Yemisi Olutunji
1st match-Bye
2nd match vs Shannon Herbst (Zim)
Won 3-0...11-0, 11-2, 11-2.
Through to semi-final

Oladunni Okikiola
1st match vs Nyarai Goba (Zim) won 3-0...11-2, 11-2, 11-2.
2nd match vs Yvonne Mabure (Zim) lost 3-0..3-11, 2-11, 0-11.
Playing for  ranking. 

Busayo Olutunji
1st-Bye
2nd-vs Polite Mabure  (Zim) Lost 3-0...8-11, 9-11, 10-12.
Playing for ranking.
 Mens-32 draw
Ladies-16 draw
Doubles-16 draw
Veterans-5 men draw

The countries that turned up are Zimbabwe...Zambia..Malawi and Nigeria...South Africa didn't turn up

Day 2
Quarter finals
Lanre vs Preston Mhongo (Zambia)
Lanre won 3-1...11-6, 11-5, 10-12, 11-5. Into Semi final

Sadiq vs Enos Male (Zambia) 
Sadiq won 3-0...11-6, 11-4, Enos retired on 3rd game.
Through to semi final.

Busayo beat Dunni 3-0....11-2, 11-9, 11-4
Yemisi beat Zambian no.1 Sharon 3-0...11-3, 11-4, 11-5...she will meet the winner between the Zimbabwe sisters Yvonne or Polite Mabure.

Day 2
Quarter finals
Lanre vs Preston Mhongo (Zambia)
Lanre won 3-1...11-6, 11-5, 10-12, 11-5. Into Semi final

Sadiq vs Enos Male (Zambia) 
Sadiq won 3-0...11-6, 11-4, Enos retired on 3rd game.
Through to semi final.

Yesterday's doubles
Sadiq and Lanre played Ryan Gwidzima and Thabo Sibanda of Zim...The Olutinji sisters played Jeff Fenwick and Lloyd Mangwandi of Zim...the sisters are the only female team in the doubles.
.Sadiq and Lanre won 3-0 and the Olutunji sisters lost
Doubles just finished...
Lanre n Sadiq won against Kirk n Dion 3-2...8-11, 11-5, 11-9, 9-11, 11-7.

Yemisi n Busayo lost to Peter n Langton 2-3...11-7, 7-11, 9-11, 12-10, 9-11
 Lanre survives a scare in a tightly contested match..to book a berth in the final.
He beat Frank Wabo of Zambia 3-2...8-11, 11-4, 11-4, 9-11, 11-9.

Sadiq also books a berth into the final to make it an all Nigerian final...he beat Zambia's no.1 Manda Chilambwe 3-0...11-7, 11-7, 11-9.

For ladies..it's Nigeria no.1 vs Zim no.1....Yemisi vs Yvonne..

Five Nigeria players & one veteran off to Zimbabwe for international open

Five Nigeria Squash players have sponsored themselves to an international championship billed for the Suburbs squash club, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

1.lanre Rahaman 
2.Sodiq Taiwo
3. Yemisi Olatunji 
4.Dunni Okikiola 
5.Busayo Olatunji
6.Bola Mogaji (An official / veteran)
Nigeria’s number one player, Olatunji Yemisi will lead Sodiq Taiwo, Lanre Abdulraman and Olatunji Busayo to the event which will hold from 3rd to 7th August, 2017.

Former National Champion, Sodiq Taiwo in a chat with ACLSports.com said after months of intensive training, the country’s athletes will excel in Bulawayo.

“In 2017 alone we have attended national tournaments organised by Lagos State and private individuals who have passion for the game. Our morale is high and we are ready to win medals in Zimbabwe” said Sodiq.

Experienced female player, Olatunji Yemisi who turned Professional last year revealed to ACLSports.com that the championship will be a spring board to the development of the game in Nigeria.

“The Christchurch Vets Ipswich Open last year in the UK was my second professional game and I’ve learnt a lot of lessons. I’ll use the experience garnered in the UK to win laurels for my dear country” she said.

Lanre Abdulraman (male) and Olatunji Busayo (female) are currently ranked number three and number nine respectively in their various categories. 

All players will be gunning for their first ever Africa Championship title.

VP Africa Squash promise exciting tournament in Zimbabwe

*VP Africa Squash promise exciting tournament in Zimbabwe*

The Vice President, Squash Federation of Africa Dr lucky Milo on Tuesday reassured squash fans to expect a high level of professional squash and refereeing at the 2017 edition of the Safeguard Zimbabwe Squash Open.

Milo who is also the chairman, squash association of Zimbabwe in an interview said the tournament will be graced by foreign players from the Africa continent including Europe.

He said, "Expect high level of professional squash and refereeing and a good contingent of foreign players too."

The tournament organisers have confirmed that Zimbabwe's Minister of sports, Honorable Makhosini Hlongwane will be the guest of honour during the finals of the 23rd edition.

The World Squash Federation (WSF) accredited referee who will also be on duty during the tournament said the first edition of the tournament was staged in 1991.

"The first edition of the tournament was hosted in 1991, it ran until 1999.
However, there was a 4 year absence only to restart in 2004. The tournament has been hosted by Bulawayo ever since 2004 till date."

The Africa Squash VP revealed that
defending champion, Christo Potgieter will not be available due to his participation in the ongoing WSF in Manchester.

"Christo is not available this year, he is playing in the WSF World Doubles currently on in Manchester England."

The Squash Federation of Africa Vice President explained how busy Zimbabwe's squash calendar looks.
"Squash is popular, Zimbabwe played in competitive leagues, in schools and socially. We have the Zimbabwe  Open, Zimbabwe close, Matabeleland Open and Closed, Mashonaland Open and Closed. We have about 32 players every year that travel to South Africa for the Provincial Doubles tournaments. He concluded.

He said first position in the male category will get 1,000 dollars, runner-up, 500 while third position 200 dollars.

In the female category, 1st and 2nd position go home 750 & 500 dollars.

Doubles 1st and 2nd position get 500 and 300 dollars while in the veteran game, 1st and 2nd wins 300 dollars  $150 respectively.

Jonah Attah reports for Nigeria's Ex squash Pros.

All set for Chamberlain squash open

Organizers of the maiden Chamberlain Squash Open (CSO) are putting finishing touches to preparations for the event that will attract players from Nigeria and overseas. Squash The organizers and volunteers have assured that the event billed for August 20-26 at the Lagos Country Club will be hitch free and also offer pure seven days of Sporting fun and excitement. Already, two Britons, 23-year old Tom Ford and 24-year-old, Mark Broekmanhave have both registered and indicated interest for the tournament. Others include Kelvin Ndlovu from Zambia. The international players will be joined by a number of indigenous players like Nigeria’s number oneranked male and female players-BabatundeAjagbe and YemisiOlatunji. As at the last count, 85players (male and female) have so far registered for this tournament, which the organisers promise will be a worthwhile experience for all. The Federal Ministry of Sports, Lagos State Police Command, Nigeria Squash Federation (NSF) and the Professional Squash Players Association (PSPAN) have all thrown their weight behind the tournament. The competition seeks to promote and develop the sport amongst young people and bring up a new generation of players that will represent the country at the National and International stage and also to have more Nigerian players in the PSA world rankings.