Latest update April 24th, 2024 12:59 AM
Jun 28, 2009 Sports
National Coach of the Guyana team to contest this year’s Caribbean
Junior Squash Championships, which will be held in Barbados from July 15-20, Carl Ince, told Kaieteur Sport yesterday that even though a few negative developments have negatively impacted the training sessions, he still expects a good showing from the defending champions.
“Being realistic I feel that we will have to play very well to maintain our dominance and to retain the overall team title, but having said that our female team should start as favourites and they will be formidable opponents for any of the other countries and that is without doubt,” Ince said.
The long serving National Coach, who has been instrumental in
guiding the careers of many of our past and present Caribbean champions pointed
out that this year’s preparations and ultimate chances of retaining the overall team title, which has been won by Guyana for a number of years, have been hampered by the academic pursuits of some of the top players.
He added that the players are very fortunate to have the services of Fitness Trainer Robert Fernandes, who Ince described as a wonderful help to the squad.
“Robert is as fit as they are and he does not ask them to do stuff that he cannot do, he trains along with them and for this I would like to single him out for special mention.”
Ince also recognised the inputs of seniors Nicolette Fernandes and Kristian Jeffrey, who’ve consistently assisted in the team’s preparations and whose presence has served as a motivating factor for the players.
“Nicolette’s presence is an inspiration to the players, while Kristian has been doing what he can to help the team,” Ince disclosed.
Coach Ince gave an individual assessment of some of the girls touching on their ability and chances of doing well during the tournament.
Akeila Wiltshire – According to Ince, Akeila, whose father Garfield was a multiple Caribbean champion, has already begun to display her pedigree.
“She learns very, very fast, explaining things to her are so simple because she grasps information with such ease.”
Akeila is the current Under-13 national champion and is favoured to do well at the championships even though not much is known of the opposition.
Victoria Arjoon – She is playing as good as ever and even by last year’s standard, she is still most likely to be the No.1 player in her category.
According to Ince, Arjoon will probably face girls that are just as experienced, but he still expects her to dominate.
Mary Fung-A-Fat – Still playing very well, but because she has moved up in division, she will have to contend with players the calibre of the Jeffrey twins.
Ince said having moved up in age, Fung-A-Fat is expected to face much tougher opposition, but believes that on a good day any player could fall to her.
Keisha Jeffrey – Of course, she is still the No.1 seeded player in her division, but when you look at is carefully, there is little difference between the top three (Kayla and Ashley Khalil).
Ashley Khalil – She has been consistently at the top of her game, but unfortunately missed last year’s tournament so could not defend her title.
“Ashley is a naturally talented player who uses awesome power to subdue her opponents and much is expected of her during the tournament.
Her chances are just as good as any of the other players.
Ashley DeGroot – Great things are expected from her, judging from last year’s performance, when she finished runner-up to Mary, I am anticipating a similar showing this year.
Meanwhile, the Guyana squad will be (Boys) – Raphael DeGroot, Alexander Arjoon, Deje Dias, Jason Ray Khalil, Steven Xavier, Ryan DaSilva and Nyron Joseph.
The Girls selected are: Keisha and Kayla Jeffrey, Ashley Khalil, Victoria Arjoon, Mary Fung-A- Fat and Akeila Wiltshire.
The players travelling to play in the individual competition are (Girls) – Gabrielle Fraser, Larissa Wiltshire, Taylor Fernandes, Ashley DeGroot, Alysa Xavier and Daina King, while the boy will be Patrick Fraser.
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