By Akeem Greene
Twenty-four young squash players, brimming with confidence, will depart Guyana this week for Jamaica for the Caribbean Area Junior Squash Championship, which runs from July 8-14.
Prior to 2017, the team held the title for 12 consecutive years; they were simply the Caribbean’s best. In 2018, uncertainty lies whether they can rekindle the dominance, as defending champions Barbados are still rock solid.
Offering words of encouragement to the young players at the unveiling of the squad on Tuesday by the Guyana Squash Association (GSA) at the Georgetown Club, girls’ captain Rebecca Low told her teammates to strive for their best.
“Once we are within the competition, we always have a chance, but it won’t be a walk in the park. Do your best since we have all put in the work,” Low, who is in her final year as a junior, stated.
Likewise, GSA President David Fernandes, told the gathering that this is the nursery for players who could potentially represent the country at the 2024 Olympics should squash make its anticipated debut.
Fernandes further underscored, the aim of competing is just not about winning.
“This is an unbelievable phase in life you get to go through. Winning is not the only important thing to you, it how you play the game. We all cannot be the best and that is what we always need to know. You can never be the best at everything. We must set out goals at levels we think we can attain, and it’s about giving the best; if you win, it’s a bonus,” Fernandes advised.
Deedra Moe, on her first day in the capacity as ExxonMobil’s Senior Director of Public and Government Affairs, uplifted the players with her words of encouragement.
Moe spoke of ExxonMobil’s delight in supporting sports in Guyana, noting, “We recognise the value it [sports] brings to the individual and community and the discipline and commitment you build is commendable.”
Manager Garfield Wiltshire thanked the other sponsors Bounty Farm, Pas Cargo, Bounty Farms, John Fernandes Ltd, Fly Jamaica, Digicel, Connections Travel, Guyana Olympic Association, Go-Invest, Burger King and Ansa McAL Trading for coming onboard with the team.
TEAMS
BOYS: Micheal Alphonso, Shomari Wiltshire, Samuel Ince-Carvalhal, Alex Cheeks (captain), Rithew Saywak, Shuloh Asgregado, Gianni Carpenter, Lucas Jonas, Demetreus DeAbru, Ethan Jonas, Mohryan Baksh, Nicholas Verwey, Loucas DaSilva, Quen Lilco, Chad DeAbru.
GIRLS: Cristiana Fernandes, Georgiana Fernandes, Paige Fernandes, Abosadie Codogan, Madison Fernandes, Kirsten Gomes, Aliyah Persaud, Rebecca Low (captain) and Sarah Lewis.
MANAGEMENT: Carl Ince (Head Coach), Garfield Wiltshire (Manager), David Fernandes (Assistant Manager), Taylor Fernandes (Assistant Coach), Nyron Joseph (Assistant Coach) and Tiffany Solomon (Assistant Manager).