Collective effort hailed for Guyana ‘rescuing’ Senior Caribbean Squash Championships

Guyana’s ability to host major regional events was placed firmly in the spotlight after the Guyana Squash Association (GSA), with massive corporate and government backing, successfully launched the 2025 Senior Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Championships on just 15 days’ notice.

The Championships, which feature over 120 athletes from nine nations, will run from November 23-29, with most matches scheduled for the  National Racquet Centre on Woolford Avenue.

The host nation was only confirmed after Hurricane Melissa necessitated the immediate relocation of the tournament from Jamaica.

GSA President David Fernandes hailed the collective effort, emphasising that Guyana stepped forward not for self-interest, but to ensure the event’s continuity as a crucial qualifier for the 2026 Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games in Santo Domingo.

While Team Guyana had already sealed their CAC qualification at the Pan American Championships in August, Fernandes stated it was “imperative to give others a lifeline” as the qualification deadline was December 1.

Speaking at the launch on Friday at the National Racquet Centre, Fernandes praised the support, noting that the rapid mobilisation of various stakeholders confirmed that the country can host major sporting events, particularly for squash, given its quality facilities and dedicated support personnel.

The launch saw a strong corporate presence, reinforcing the view of a successful collaborative model:

ENet, represented by Head of Mobile Networks Robert Hiscock, affirmed the company’s commitment to investing in sports, stating that squash has a proven track record of success, which is a key factor in their strong support for the sport.

ExxonMobil Guyana’s Community Relations Supervisor, Ryan Hoppie, noted: “This is more than a competition; it represents an opportunity to showcase talent, and they are encouraged by GSA’s commitment to support the relief efforts in Jamaica.”

In a significant gesture of solidarity, the GSA announced that any financial surplus generated by the tournament will be donated to relief efforts in Jamaica.

The government’s contribution was also highlighted, with Director of Sport Steve Ninvalle and Deputy Chair of the National Sports Commission (NSC) Cristy Campbell noting that state investment in facilities is now bearing fruit, allowing Guyana to become a regional hub for major events.

Campbell specifically applauded the GSA for still opting to host the event despite Guyana already securing its CAC qualification.

Team Guyana enters the tournament as heavy favourites, looking to defend the courts and retain their status as regional champions—a title they have held consecutively for the past four years.

The participating nations are drawn from Barbados, Bermuda, the Cayman Islands, Guyana, Jamaica, Trinidad and Tobago, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, the Dominican Republic, and the British Virgin Islands.