Historic week for squash

THE past weekend’s DStv Namibian Squash Open marked the end of a historic week for Namibian squash.

With a draw of 96 people from countries as far flung as the USA, Canada, UK, Zimbabwe, Zambia and South Africa as well as our own home-grown talent, the tournament was a real league of nations and easily surpassed the 86-person draw at July’s Namibian closed held at the coast.The atmosphere throughout the three-day event was electric. Many of the Zambians who had competed in the Test series with Namibia earlier in the week remained to participate and their energy and breathtaking agility was something amazing to behold on court for the large crowd of fortunate spectators to witness. Their enthusiasm and desire to play and support each other was eye-opening and the fact that many played with only one racquet and whatever shoes they could find was inspiring; perhaps indicating to local players that desire and ambition speak louder than simply looking the part.On more than one occasion Namibian-based players were heard to remark on the incredible stamina and sportsmanship of the Zambian participants and of what a great opportunity it was to compete with players of this calibre, as well as those that had journeyed from further afield.Willa Bronner, playing in the women’s event, observed after watching the Marco Becker / Ian Rowett contest for third place (eventually won by Becker) that: ‘I thought that watching Marco (Becker) was watching a good level, but watching (Rodney Durbach and Gary Wheadon in) the final showed me that there is another level of squash. I feel inspired!’Brian Kahengombe noted after a particularly tough match with compatriot Dries Tredoux that this was nothing compared to his match with Zambian Tendai Boti, where he was ‘run off the court’. An experience shared by many of this weekend’s players. No doubt there will be sore legs and limping bodies all over Namibian workplaces this week.The mixture of players and nationalities created a buzz the likes of which Namibian squash had not seen before and one that chairman Gerdus Louwrens hopes he will see again.’This has been a fantastic event and we hope to involve more nations in a test series prior to next year’s open so that the draw will break 100 people,’ he said, indicating that next year may see a Zambian return as well as potential visitors from countries such as Botswana and Malawi.In the finals, South African Rodney Durbach beat Gary Wheadon 3-0 and Milnay Louw saw off former world number 29 Runa Reta to win her first Namibian Open final.Both players were impressed with the atmosphere and standard of squash. For Durbach it was a return to form that saw him retain the title he lost last year. For Louw it was a ‘pleasing experience’ that she would like to repeat next year. Hopefully the field will be bigger and stronger and Namibian players will have learned from their experiences of playing the best this year. chrisbuckland@rocketmail.com