– Nicolette and other overseas players to add to the competitive intensity of the tournament
The Guyana Squash Association (GSA) will be serving off its National Senior Squash Championship from Monday, June 13 at the Georgetown Club. The tournament is expected to include some of the country’s premier players.
Nicolette Fernandes
President of the GSA, Andrew Arjoon, who is also expected to participate, told Guyana Times International Sport that he anticipates quite a few newcomers to step up and compete at this year’s tournament. However, Arjoon divulged that the competition will be stiff, especially with a few overseas-based players in the draws.
Twenty-seven-year-old National Squash queen Nicolette Fernandes is currently in Guyana, and according to Arjoon is expected to compete in this year’s tournament. Arjoon said that the inclusion of Fernandes, who is currently ranked number 46 in the world, will definitely raise the competitive intensity of this year’s tournament.
Apart from winning several national junior and senior titles, Fernandes had in past years competed in the men’s category, so that she could get intense competition prior to going on the international squash circuit.
The 2009 National Sportswoman of the Year is coached by Level IV Elite coach Carl Ince, and is reportedly undergoing fitness training with Kezqweyah Yisrael of Top End Fitness. Fernandes was the runner-up at the Women’s Alicia Hagedorn WISPA Open, losing to England’s Under-23 champion Victoria Lust in a five-setter just last month.
Apart from Fernandes, former National Under-19 champion Alex Arjoon, who has been studying overseas, is also expected to return for the tournament. The GSA president also mentioned that Jamal Callender is another one of the overseas-based players who will be competing at nationals this year.
GSA is also expected to host the Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Junior Squash Championships next month. Guyana has won the last six overall titles at the event.
