– team departs for Caribbean Championships
By Akeem Greene
The National Squash Team will depart local shores today (Thursday) for the Cayman Islands for the Junior Caribbean Squash Championships with the teams’ two captains upbeat about their charges copping the title for a 12th successive time.
The championship which is the pride of the Region runs from July 16 to 23.
Arguably the top seed in the Under-19 and Boys’ team captain Benjamin Meckdeci in speaking to the media at simple farewell at the Georgetown Club on Wednesday said that both his and the team’s preparation have been excellent.
“I really think that apart from all the other years, preparation this year, is some of the best I have seen in my seven years being on the team and I really think that is going to be even better for us; it’s going to be 12 years, the longest streak in Caribbean history and I really think we can keep it up”, Meckdeci stated with assurance.
The Guyana Junior Squash team has dominated the Sport in the Caribbean for over a decade and this year the 11-time defending champions have yet another talented batch of players attending the championships.
In speaking of the composition of the team, Mekdeci said, “I really think our team is one that is apart from the rest of the Caribbean because we have a sense of unity, it’s one association, it’s one club.”
Female Captain Taylor Fernandes was also glowing with optimism on how the team is expected to perform but with seven years of experience under her belt, the under-19 player believes that there are still nerves ahead of the games.
“It’s kind of nerve racking, I have the responsibility of leading the team, but I think we can do it, we have been working really hard and hope for the number 12 title” Fernandes said.
With his being her final year at the juniors, the player is setting her sights on another personal accolade, stating, “winning Guyana’s national tournament, that puts me as the under-19 champion, so that puts me as first going into the Caribbean championships and I hope to win it”.
Representatives from corporate supporters Digicel and Ansa Mc AL were present at the function and wished the team success and pledged further support for the sport.
Sponsorship Executive of Digicel, Luana Abrams, and Smalta Brand Manager, Anjeta Hinds, spoke of how proud their respective companies are to be associated with the champion squash team.
Team Guyana reads: Benjamin Mekdeci, Alex Melville, Alexander Cheeks, Daniel Islam, Shomari Wiltshire, Anthony Islam, Demetrius De Abreu, Samuel Ince- Carvalhal, Michael Alphonso, Kamir Khan, James Mekdeci, Mohryan Baksh, Saywak Rithew, Taylor Fernandes, Larissa Wiltshire, Rebecca Low, Mekeda Harding, Abosaide Cadogan, Maya Collins, Madison Fernandes, Kirsten Gomes and Georgana Paige Fernandes.
The team will be coached by the experienced Carl Ince and Managed by Garfield Wiltshire with David Fernandes performing the duties as Assistant Manager.
