The 2018 WSF World Junior Team Championship in India, will be remembered for both great reasons and a slight bit of controversy.
Either way, the next generation of Squash professionals, demonstrated how great the sport is in terms of credibility and how young people can be inspired to take up the sport.
There were some key highlights from the event, which will make the 2018 WSF Junior Squash Championship the most intriguing of all time:
Reigning Team Champions are almost a no show
Team Pakistan Squash Men’s Junior Squad (credit: Khilari)
Prior to the event, there were concerns about whether the reigning team Junior Men’s champions Pakistan would take part due to some visa issues; there was some controversy with the Pakistan Squash board on whether to enter the tournament. Thankfully, thanks to some assistance from the Indian High Commission (IHC), Team Pakistan were to take part and defend their title.
As a result, Pakistan finished 8th place, after losing to Hong Kong China.
Underdogs USA and the Czech Republic defy the odds
Both the USA and the Czech Republic faced tough competition from two Squash nations – both Canada and Malaysia in order to progress to the semi-finals.
For the USA, they went up arch rivals Canada. Going into the match, Team USA was considered to be underdogs and expected to be beaten by Canada, just like in hockey.
However, it was Thomas Rosini (USA) who triumphed against George Crowne (Canada), in a thrilling match to put the USA in a fighting chance of making the final.
The Czech Republic, in only their second competition, managed to beat fourth seeds Malaysia.
Despondently both the USA and the Czech Republic would lose the Squash powerhouses – England and Egypt in the semi-finals.
Czech Republic Men’s Junior Squash Team (credit: WSF World Junior Squash Championships)
Team Egypt makes history
Photo: Team Egypt Men’s Squash (World Squash Federation)
Once again, Team Egypt prevailed in the men’s, women’s, and men’s team categories – thus making it a record year of titles in major Squash tournaments.
Oddly enough the individual men’s and women’s finals were an all-Egyptian affair with Mostafa Asal beating his good friend and reigning junior squash world champion Marwan Tarek.
The women’s competition, saw Rowan Reda Araby retain her title by beating her fellow compatriot Hania El Hammamy.
England can capitalise on finals progress
Photo: Team England Junior Squash Team (credit: England Squash Twitter)
Having claimed their first silver medal in 16 years, the England Junior Men’s juniors did the nation proud, as their success is a much-needed boost to the development of more Squash grassroots projects in local communities. Plus there was a success for Lucy Turmel, who made it to the quarter-finals.
Furthermore, it can be a major influence on commercial sports club operators, (take note David Lloyd Leisure) to keep their Squash courts, as a means of showing less bias towards the sport. Question how and thinking how many titles has England Tennis won this year? NONE!!
Just like the England Football Team’s performance in the FIFA World Cup, England Men’s Junior Squash Team did the country proudly; it is just a shame there was news coverage.
Olympic inclusion is still on the agenda
Still awaiting the news of the Olympic inclusion for Squash; thankfully there has been strong support from the hosting nation looking to stage the 2024 Olympic Games.
In spite of this, come the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in October; could be a decisive factor in seeing Squash get its well-deserved inclusion in the greatest multi-sport event on the planet.
On the face of it, the Squash ambassadors and SquashFORWARD initiative will help influence the IOC’s decision to make Squash an Olympic sport given the strong diversity of the sport; also the number of nations who take part in the sport too.
