By Sean Devers
The Guyana Junior Squash team has dominated the Sport in the Caribbean for over a decade and this year the 11 times defending champions are set to participate in the 2016 Junior Caribbean Squash Championship in the Cayman
Taylor Fernandes (right) & Larissa Wiltshire hard at work in practice at GT Club on Friday night.
Islands from July 14-25.
The 30 member squad, which began preparing for this tournament in May, was trimmed to 22 last week and preparatory work will intensify in the coming weeks before the team which includes Ben Mekdeci (U-19 boys), Shomari Wiltshire (U-13 boys) and Taylor Fernandes (U-19 girls) takes a break about a week before they depart Guyana.
The team will be coached by the experienced Carl Ince and Managed by Garfield Wiltshire, former Southern Caribbean Squash Champion in the late 1980s and early 90s.
When Kaieteur Sports visited the Georgetown Club on Friday night the boys had completed their work for the evening but the girls were at practice on all three Courts under the watchful eyes of Ince and President of the Guyana Squash Association (GCA) David Fernandes, who spoke about the team’s training and chances of winning 12 team titles in a row.
Fernandes, a former National Hockey player, said that some of the players could not train as they should be due to write exams but added that he was satisfied with how preparations are going.
It was disclosed that the young players run three laps twice a week in the National Park from 17:00hrs, do Gym work with trainer Kezqweyah Yisrael on Tuesday evenings in addition to working on their skill, technique and tactical areas on the courts at GT Club from 18:00hrs to 21:00hrs and from 09:00hrs to 13:00hrs on Saturdays.
”We have some very talented players in our squad this year. And with discipline and dedication we can see our players win in several categories,” said Fernandes, who plays a major role in the development of squash locally.
Coach Ince said, while he did not want to single out any player, there were some players he is expecting to win titles if they play their best Squash.
“The main challenge as Coach for me is in the smaller age group where the players have never played much and have to be taught the basics. But these kids are smart and they learn quickly. Overall I would say I am very satisfied with preparations,” Ince informed.
Fernandes said he feels the boys have a slightly better chance of winning but says both teams have a great chance of continuing this country’s success at this level in the Caribbean.
“I am confident that both teams will do really well in the U-13, U-15 and U-19 while with self belief the U-17s can surprise many this year,” Fernandes stated.
The GSA head thanked their sponsors and said many new sponsors are coming on board while informing the National Squash tournament is set to commence on Tuesday June 28 and concludes on the Sunday.
The teams read: (Boys) Ben Mekdeci, Alex Melville, Alex Cheeks, Rithew Saywack, Daniel Islam, Anthony Islam, Shomari Wiltshire, Samuel Ince-Carvalhal, Demetrius De Abreu, Michael Alphonso, James Mekdeci, Karim Khan, Mohryan Baksh
(Girls) Taylor Fernandes, Larissa Wiltshire, Rebecca Low, Makeda Harding, Maya Collins, Abosaide Cadogan, Madison Fernandes, Kirsten Gomes, Paige Fernandes.