Another weekend of high level squash has been concluded at the established hub of Junior Squash in the UAE. The junior tournaments held at the Tennis & Country Club Fujairah, has grown from a mere 22 participants 2 years ago to a phenomenal 71 entries across 6 Boys and 3 Girls age categories this past weekend.
The Junior Squash Festival, held under the hospices of the UAE Squash Association, attracted not only local players but also international participants. Held on the weekend of 29TH & 30TH October 2022, matches started on Saturday morning at 10h00 and extended into the early evening of Sunday, with players exhibiting their skills, confidence, and commitment to a capacity crowd of families and friends.
On the final day, the tournament was graced by the presence of Sheikh Ahmed Bin Hamad Bin Saif Bin Hamad Al Sharqi, who presented an Award of Appreciation to Mr. Najib Salem, Secretary General of the UAE Squash Association. Mr. Najib Salem thereafter presented the trophies and medals to the various category winners.
The various age group winners and runner ups provided the capacity crowd with hours of exciting skills to watch.
In the Boys section the following finals were hard fought battles.
Under 9 Boys – Abdulrahman (RAK) BEAT Selim Wahdan,
Under 11 Boys – Zain Fathi (Abu Dhabi) beat Alden Fernandes (RAK),
Under 13 Boys – Adiv Gole (Flying Dav Squash Academy) beat Yasseen Bahr (Farah Momen Squash Academy),
Under 15 Boys – Mykyta Khlus (Flying Dav Squash Academy) beat Adiv Gole (Flying Dav Squash Academy),
Under 17 Boys – Aley Afifi (Farah Momen Squash Academy) beat Eeshan Sawant (Flying Dav Squash Academy),
Under 19 Boys – Omar Afifi (Farah Momen Squash Academy) beat Aley Afifi (Farah Momen Squash Academy).
In the newly added Girls section,participants showed their willingness and commitment to make an impact in the UAE squash environment.
Under 11 Girls – Joy Mario Rafik (Flying Dav Squash Academy) beat Mariam El Wakeel (Farah Momen Squash Academy),
Under 15 Girls – Rufaida Fatima (RAK) beat Rodina Islam Abdel Wahab (Farah Momen Squash Academy),
Under 19 Girls – Tia Farzad Billimoria (Flying Dav Squash Academy) beat Jana Al Ansary (Farah Momen Squash Academy).
Ms. Hania Reggi, General Manager of TCCF, invited all the junior Squash players from across, and outside of the UAE, to our next event to be held in December 2022 in Fujairah. TCCF Junior and Senior events are becoming sought after celebrations of squash skills, and with the support of the UAE Squash Association, valuable national ranking points to be acquired, she mentioned.
Jacques Harmse, Tournament Director, said that with the growth of not only the number of participants, but also the variation in the levels of skill of players, very shortly we would need to cater for more tournaments at the various levels. This will allow for strength against strength competition, and support the immense growth of squash in not only academies, but also through our schools.
Mr. Najib Salem, Secretary General of the UAE Squash Association, thanked the TCCF for their efforts in growing squash nationally. In his address he thanked the parents, players and coaches for their commitment, and mentioned that the UAE Squash Association’s vision is to have our players represent our country at the highest level internationally.
“Squash tournaments held at the TCCF has been consistently successful in attracting the best young talent in the UAE, as well as players from regions outside of the UAE. We are fortunate to have the world class facilities, personnel and management to host events of this calibre.” said A. Ghafour Behrozian, Chairman of TCCF.
For more information on the tournament, follow TCCF on Facebook and Instagram.
