Fernandes and successful senior team highlight squash’s haul at NSC Awards

The Guyana Squash Association (GSA) has been confirmed as a formidable force in national sport, sweeping three top accolades at the National Sports Commission’s (NSC) Sport Awards, confirming the discipline’s status as an undisputed power both regionally and internationally.

Leading the charge was Nicolette Fernandes, who was crowned the 2024 Senior Sportswoman-of-the-Year following another spectacular season that saw her claim a second World Masters title.

The GSA’s haul was completed by the Senior Squash Team securing the coveted Team of the Year award, while national stalwart Ashley Khalil was named the runner-up for the top female individual prize.

Fernandes, a former world number 19, demonstrated her enduring class and competitive fire by achieving an undefeated run to win gold in the Women’s 40 and over category at the World Squash Federation Masters tournament in the Netherlands.

This latest victory adds to her previous success in the Women’s 35 and over category, confirming her status as a multiple World Masters champion and showcasing a longevity hailed as “unbelievable” by David Fernandes, President of the GSA.

Her influence in 2024 was equally significant off the court: She was appointed Chair of the Women in Sport Commission by the Guyana Olympic Association, and she has been instrumental in nurturing the next generation of talent, working closely with the GSA to develop up-and-coming players.

This dual impact—world-level athletic success combined with administrative and coaching efforts—made her a truly deserving recipient of the 2024 award.

The Guyana Senior National Squash Team earned the Team of the Year award following a season of historic dominance, culminating in an unprecedented clean sweep at the regional level.

Solidifying their reputation as the undisputed powerhouse of Caribbean squash, Team Guyana secured gold medals in every single team category at the 2024 Senior Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Championships on home soil, defeating arch-rivals Barbados in the finals.

This historic campaign marked their fourth consecutive championship and seventh overall since the tournament’s inception in 1977, underlining the unity, consistency, and unparalleled performance that was a highlight of the nation’s sporting calendar.

Further underscoring the depth of talent within the GSA, former Caribbean individual champion Ashley Khalil was named the runner-up for the Senior Sportswoman-of-the-Year award. Khalil had a stellar run in 2024, winning the ENet Senior National Championships and copping the female doubles title for the third consecutive year at the Caribbean Championships, partnering with Ashley DeGroot.