In the last decade or so, Squash is becoming a very popular sport in Jamaica, especially among young people in which the participation growing.
Several months ago, I read in the Jamaican Gleaner about news on the Jamaican Squash Federation’s partnership with Restaurant Associates Ltd, which operates and manages the Burger King restaurants in the Caribbean.
For a country that is famous for cricket, athletics, and football, it seems these sports are becoming less popular as a sport to compete in at a grassroots level, hence Squash is going more popular for the young people from the country to participate.
Jamaican Junior Squash Team (Photo credit: Gleaner)
This sponsorship deal with a global brand can mean that Jamaica can compete on an equal level with other Squash playing nations – especially their island rivals – Guyana and all-conquering Barbados in the CASA Championships.
As someone, whose family comes from Jamaica lineage, I have known cricket to be more popular and was surprised to know that the country has a burgeoning Squash team.
Nevertheless, the one person I think would find this interesting is my grandfather, who was a proud Jamaican and this was evident when it came to cricket.
Talking Squash with my grandfather
I found this news very intriguing, as I would like to have known the opinion of my late grandfather; he was a keen-sports enthusiast and enjoyed his sports. Moreover, the partnership is going to play a crucial part in the development of junior squash development in Jamaica.
When I was younger, I remember him talking a lot about the West Indian Cricket team, but when the Jamaican football team reached the FIFA France World Cup Finals in 1998; my grandfather was over the moon and called me to about with me in great detail. Nevertheless, in terms of Squash, he would ask me to explain to him mainly as in his time Cricket was the most popular in Jamaica.
Popularity for squash has grown a lot in other Caribbean islands, such as Barbados and Trinidad & Tobago with much success among the junior levels – this made me think could there be a West Indian squash team one day?
What would my grandfather’s reaction to this momentous partnership between a blue-chip brand and a growing sport in Jamaica? He would say, “I hope it encourages the youth of other sporting opportunities besides cricket, athletics, tennis, netball, and basketball” – I would totally agree with him on this.
I honestly believe the growth of squash in Jamaica can inspire the current junior players to continue playing squash with dreams of hopefully playing squash and represent Jamaica in the 2020 Olympics #votesquash2020; as well as continue to inspire a new generation of young Jamaicans to take squash.
Inspiring the UK youth with Jamaican heritage
The growth of squash in the West Indies can lead to inspiring children of Caribbean parents born in the UK to play squash, resulting in more participation and positive community cohesion; why?
When you look at the sporting landscape in the UK, most black children are interested in sports that have strong representation, such as Football or Basketball – this is ok, however, in these times it would be good to see more representation in other sports in Squash.
Final Thoughts
Seeing a sponsorship deal with Burger King and the Jamaica Squash Association is a great thing for both parties, as it can generate more awareness in the country, but for Burger King, it shows the brand is responsible for supporting the sport.
To sum up, Squash has a long history in Jamaica, and the country has enough resources to challenge the super nations at global tournaments; thus let’s hope there is a Squash world champion player or team from Jamaica soon, from which it will be another world title honour to the country alongside their cricketing achievements.
