Category: "supporters"

Roger Federer backs the squash bid for 2020!

Swiss Tennis legend and current World No. 2 Roger Federer is backing squash to be added to the Olympic programme in 2020.

“I think it’s a wonderful sport. It’s unfortunate some sports don’t get the opportunity to be in the Olympics,” said Federer. “I think squash would deserve it. They run a great tour and they have great players and characters. I’d personally be very happy for them.”

Federer had the opportunity to meet women’s squash World No. 1 Nicol David at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam. Federer expressed his support to David and revealed he played the sport growing up. “I used to play it a lot when I was younger every Sunday with my dad. I’ve always been a big fan of the sport,” Federer said.

Federer and David conversed over dinner. Malaysian Nicol who is a resident of Amsterdam, was thrilled to spend quality time with the Swiss superstar. “It was exciting. He’s such a great guy and true champion. He showed us what it’s like behind the scenes to be a tennis player. It’s very similar to squash, so it’s been great to spend time with him,” said David.


Happy New Year 2013!

Happy New Year 2013! We wish all the best, luck and health to the squash community and all people around the world …


World Squash Day set up biggest sports match!

The sport of Squash is claiming a world record for the biggest sports match in history. More than 40,000 players registered to take part in the World Squash Day Challenge, which demonstrated global support for the sport’s 2020 Olympic bid.

More than 800 clubs from over 70 nations joined in, with players representing Team Squash and Team 2020.

World Squash Day founder Alan Thatcher said: “Hundreds of pictures have been uploaded to websites and Facebook pages showing large numbers of happy, smiling people doing what they love best, enjoying the thrill of playing one of the world’s most physically-demanding sports. “The pictures also showed the lifelong friendships, great sportsmanship and sheer fun that this game delivers.”

Women’s world champion Nicol David set a great example. The Malaysian cycled round her home city of Amsterdam to visit every squash club, and also waved banners outside some of the city’s most iconic buildings.

Other former world champions, including Australians Vicki Cardwell and Michelle Martin, joined the action as more than 50 clubs participated Down Under.

Leading Egyptian stars Nour El Sherbini and Raneem El Weleily also played a special WSD challenge match in Alexandria.

World Squash Day was also celebrated in some exotic locations, with Reunion Island hosting a team from Mauritius. Frenchman Thierry Lincou, who hails from Reunion, beat fellow former world champion David Palmer in a match to mark World Squash Day.

One of the biggest events took place at the Tanglin Club in Singapore, where they joined forces with the British Club and Hollandse Club to stage 188 matches.

A 24-hour marathon in Slovenia attracted more than 300 players; 334 matches took place over 15 centres in the Czech Republic; and Gravelines in France featured 122 competitors. Results were also posted from Zimbabwe, Peking University in China, and from various clubs in the Caribbean.

Around 750 youngsters from the inner-city of Johannesburg, townships of Soweto and Alexandra – among numerous around the world who would benefit from Olympic inclusion beyond 2020 – had a fun-filled day as they joined the rest of the world in celebrating World Squash Day through their annual Egolisquash Festival.

A huge event in Hong Kong was followed by a flash mob dance in the heart of the city, which attracted national media attention.

Upwards of 150 clubs were involved in England, with big numbers also recorded in Canada, USA and throughout Asia and Europe.

There was a raft of messages of support, including one from double Olympian Dame Kelly Holmes, while WSF President N Ramachandran summed up his delight by saying:

“Our sport cares about promoting itself. It cares deeply about our Olympic aspirations and developing and innovating.

“World Squash Day is a superb illustration of this.”


Gaultier grabs Golden Gate glory!

Frenchman Greg Gaultier (front) beat world No2 Nick Matthew (back) from England in the final of the NetSuite Open in San Francisco, USA.

Throughout the match, Gaultier kept Matthew’s strength – cutting the ball off at mid-court – at bay, while simultaneously controlling his own tempo.

Gaultier was simply unstoppable, putting his astounding quickness and relentless attacking style to full effect to overcome Matthew 11-7, 13-11, 11-9 after 62 minutes of play.

“I managed not to play too fast all the time; to mix the rhythm by hitting some high balls to take control of the T,” said the newly-crowned champion, now winner of 21 PSA Tour titles.

Perhaps the most impressive difference with Gaultier was his ability to maintain his composure – not only when referee decisions didn’t go his way but, in particular, when Matthew succeeded in closing gaps midway through each game. He credits a new perspective on life after becoming a father for the first time eight weeks ago.

“I realise life is not only squash, and that was all my life before,” explained the 29-year-old Frenchman. “I always put squash into one box and it was only it. And when you win life is beautiful, and when you lose it’s the end of the world. So now it gives me a great balance.

“There’s other things important in life. It gives me wings and has changed my attitude as well. It makes me more calm on court. I’m a really happy dad, and my girlfriend is really doing well. As long as Nolan is healthy, I’m happy. It’s an amazing feeling.”

Final:
[3] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt [2] Nick Matthew (ENG) 11-7, 13-11, 11-9 (62m)

Semi-finals:
[3] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt Amr Shabana (EGY) 11-7, 12-10, 11-8 (43m)
[2] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt [4] Peter Barker (ENG) 11-7, 11-5, 6-11, 11-6 (56m)

Quarter-finals:
Amr Shabana (EGY) bt [1] James Willstrop (ENG) 11-8, 11-8, 11-9 (53m)
[3] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt Tarek Momen (EGY) 11-4, 11-7, 7-11, 12-10 (58m)
[4] Peter Barker (ENG) bt Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) 11-7, 11-4, 11-4 (47m)
[2] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt Daryl Selby (ENG) 11-6, 12-10, 11-4 (53m)

1st round:
[1] James Willstrop (ENG) bt [Q] Alan Clyne (SCO) 11-4, 11-9, 11-9 (34m)
Amr Shabana (EGY) bt Alister Walker (BOT) 11-8, 5-11, 11-3, 11-5 (49m)
Tarek Momen (EGY) bt [Q] Gregoire Marche (FRA) 11-7, 11-3, 11-7 (32m)
[3] Gregory Gaultier (FRA) bt Nicolas Mueller (SUI) 11-4, 7-11, 11-1, 11-1 (52m)
[4] Peter Barker (ENG) bt Hisham Mohd Ashour (EGY) 11-6, 11-4, 11-3 (33m)
Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) bt [Q] Chris Simpson (ENG) 11-8, 11-4, 11-9 (48m)
Daryl Selby (ENG) bt [Q] Martin Knight (NZL) 12-10, 11-7, 11-4 (50m)
[2] Nick Matthew (ENG) bt Julian Illingworth (USA) 11-8, 11-9, 11-3 (53m)


Darwish denies El Shorbagy in Macau!

Karim Darwish (ri) survived the all-Egyptian battle against Mohamed El Shorbagy (le) in the final of the Macau Open – but the top seed was taken the full distance before claiming the title on the ASB all-glass court sited by the famous A-Ma Temple in Macau.

Former world No1 Darwish – ten years his opponent’s senior – calling upon all his experience to close out the match 9-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-4, 11-9 to take the title.

Darwish, now celebrating the 22nd Tour title of his career, was marking his 3rd appearance back on the PSA Tour after the birth of his son Omar.

Final:
[1] Karim Darwish (EGY) bt [2] Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY) 9-11, 11-7, 10-12, 11-4, 11-9

Semi-finals:
[1] Karim Darwish (EGY) bt Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) 11-1, 9-11, 11-5, 11-3
[2] Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY) bt Marwan El Shorbagy (EGY) 11-4, 10-12, 11-3, 11-9

Quarter-finals:
[1] Karim Darwish (EGY) bt [Q] Karim Ali Fathi (EGY) 11-5, 11-9, 11-6
Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bt [4] Tom Richards (ENG) 11-7, 11-5, 11-9
Marwan El Shorbagy (EGY) bt [3] Omar Mosaad (EGY) 11-6, 11-3, 11-5
[2] Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY) bt Max Lee (HKG) 11-9, 11-6, 11-7

1st round:
[1] Karim Darwish (EGY) bt Ong Beng Hee (MAS) 11-8, 11-6, 11-9
[Q] Karim Ali Fathi (EGY) bt Mathieu Castagnet (FRA) 11-4, 11-9, 6-11, 14-12
Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) bt [Q] Muhd Asyraf Azan (MAS) 11-9, 11-3, 9-11, 11-5
[4] Tom Richards (ENG) bt Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan (MAS) 11-9, 8-11, 11-8, 13-11
[3] Omar Mosaad (EGY) bt [Q] Omar Abdel Meguid (EGY) 11-5, 11-7, 11-2
Marwan El Shorbagy (EGY) bt Olli Tuominen (FIN) 11-7, 8-11, 11-6, 11-5
Max Lee (HKG) bt Armando Amante (MAC) 11-4, 11-4, 11-4
[2] Mohamed El Shorbagy (EGY) bt [Q] Henrik Mustonen (FIN) 11-8, 11-9, 8-11, 10-12, 11-9


World Squash Day – fans back 2020 Olympic Bid!

Squash’s bid for a place in the 2020 Olympics receives a massive boost on today when some 40,000 players are expected to take part in a massive worldwide competition on World Squash Day.

The biggest fixture in the history of the sport has a 2020 theme as World Squash Day is dedicated to supporting the World Squash Federation (WSF) bid for a place in the 2020 Olympic Games.

More than 750 squash clubs all over the world – representing 72 nations from Argentina to Zimbabwe – will be taking part in the World 2020 Challenge. Each club will field two teams of 20 (often more) representing Team Squash and Team 2020.

WSF Chief Executive Andrew Shelley said: “This impressive level of support proves conclusively that the worldwide squash family is right behind the Olympic bid.

Let’s go for it!

WHERE IT’S ALL HAPPENING:
• World Squash Day will be celebrated throughout Asia, with events in China, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Iran.

• African nations taking part include Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, South Africa, Tanzania, Uganda and Zimbabwe.

• Arab nations include Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and UAE.

• More than 50 events are taking place across Australia, plus many more in New Zealand, where The Datsuns’ drummer Phil Buscke, a keen squash player, is throwing down a challenge to members of the All Blacks rugby team to get on court. Four years ago, Buscke publicised the previous Olympic bid with a televised bungee jump off Auckland Harbour Bridge.

• Across north, south and central America, competing nations include Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, and USA. World Squash Day activities will feature in the new men’s PSA World Tour event in San Francisco, where a 20-up College Challenge will take place on the glass court by the San Francisco waterfront between Stanford University and California University-Berkeley and University of Southern California.

• European nations include Armenia, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, England, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Holland, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Jersey, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Scotland, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine and Wales.

• Exotic island squash outposts include the Bahamas, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Cook Islands, Norfolk Island, Trinidad and Tobago, plus St Vincent and The Grenadines.

For all the latest updates, and to record and view progress of all the matches and events, visit www.worldsquashday.com


20,020 Players Back World Squash Day!

World Squash Day has attracted more than 20,020 players to back the sport’s 2020 Olympic bid. The players and their clubs have signed up to take part in the biggest squash match in history on 20 October to support the World Squash Federation’s Olympic ambitions.

“This is a phenomenal milestone to reach, with almost a month to go before World Squash Day actually happens, and we can confidently expect that figure to rise significantly as more clubs join in this fantastic project”, WSF Chief Executive Andrew Shelley said.

The list of clubs who signed up this week includes groups from Japan, Singapore, Finland, Liechtenstein, Brazil, Estonia, Russia, Malta, Belgium, Qatar, Uganda and the Cook Islands, plus St Vincent and The Grenadines, as well as all the bigger squash nations.

WSD founder Alan Thatcher added: “We quickly moved forward from 10,000 players to 15,000 and in a matter of days we could see we were getting close to 20,000. I wanted to witness that historic moment and stayed up half the night to see it happen!

“The 2020 Bid is supported by so many star players, including women’s world champion Nicol David from Malaysia, Egypt’s Ramy Ashour (ri) and England’s great rivals James Willstrop (mi) and Nick Matthew (le), ranked one and two in the world.

Clubs can register to take part by visiting the website: www.worldsquashday.com


Squash Players Target World Record To Back 2020 Olympic Bid!

Squash players all over the world are uniting to create the biggest squash match in history, with 2 teams playing in one global event showcasing the sport’s bid for a place in the 2020 Olympic Games.

World Squash Day takes place on Saturday October 20th and Clubs are invited to field 2 teams of 20 players, with team members playing against their opposite number in 1 game up to 20 points. The scores from every club will count towards an overall global result between Team Squash and Team 2020.

World leading professionals support the project: World champion Nick Matthew said: “This is a great idea for squash players all over the world to back the Olympic bid.”

World Squash Day organizers hope the total figure of competitors will run into tens of thousands, placing it as one of the biggest sports fixtures in history, as well as certainly the biggest squash match ever.

Andrew Shelley, CEO of the World Squash Federation, said: “There are more than 50,000 courts spread across the world and to give the players on all of them the chance to compete in the same championship will bring the world of squash together in such a unique way!”

Event founder Alan Thatcher commented: “Our aim is to get this event into the Guinness Book of Records, and we hope that kind of response will show a tremendous global support for squash and the Olympic bid!”