GASA president Andrew Arjoon
President of the Guyana Squash Association (GSA) Andrew Arjoon says that despite the fact that Guyana lost both the men’s and women’s team finals he was still pleased with the performance of the national squash team that competed at the 20th edition of the Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Senior Caribbean Squash Championships which were held in Trinidad and Tobago last month.
“I was very happy with the performance of the team in the recently concluded Senior CASA Championships in T&T. For the first time in a long time we sent two complete Men’s and Ladies’ teams and they both performed beyond our expectations,” Arjoon told Stabroek Sport.
Guyana placed third overall after finishing second in both the men’s and women’s team tournaments. Guyana’s men’s team narrowly lost to hosts Trinidad and Tobago 3-2, while the women’s team was which at that stage was without number two seed Ashley Khalil, placed second to Barbados.
“It was unfortunate that Ashley Khalil had to leave for a prior commitment but Tiffany Solomon filled in admirably. Notwithstanding we came up against a very strong Barbados team and had to settle for second place. However, the members of our ladies’ team are fired up and raring to go next year with revenge in the forefront of their minds,” Arjoon added.
Speaking specifically about the performance of the men’s team, Arjoon said,“Our men played simply amazing squash with some of the individual performances during the team matches which can only be described as upsets. They too were drawn against a very strong Trinidad (home) team and lost narrowly.”
Guyana’s veteran team had a tough time in that category having to concede walkovers in their matches since there were no female over 40 and over 50 players in the side.
Guyana’s professional squash star Nicolette Fernandes put up a successful title defence as she captured her fourth senior CASA title in the women’s individual category ahead of Barbadian Karen Meakins. Khalil, Mary Fung-A-Fat and Victoria Arjoon all made their debut in this year’s tournament and managed to finish fifth, sixth and seventh respectively. All three ladies have won multiple titles at Junior CASA.
Former US national player Richard Chin, who returned to Caribbean squash to represent Guyana in 2010, finished fifth this year while former national champion Julian Chin placed seventh. Richard Chin had won Senior CASA in 2010 and finished second in 2011.
Arjoon also stated that the GSA has volunteered to host the 2013 edition of the Senior CASA Caribbean Championships but was awaiting confirmation. If the tournament is held in Guyana, Arjoon said that the chances of Guyana ending the drought of overall titles at the senior level would be very high. Arjoon stated that the news that Guyana may host the tournament next year was enough to motivate local players and they have already reportedly vowed to prepare extensively for the event. Guyana hosted the Junior CASA Caribbean Squash Championships 2011 and won their seventh straight overall title.
