adminTHREE of the best squash players in Bulawayo will not participate in this year’s edition of the Old Miltonians doubles squash tournament set for Friday and Saturday due to other commitments.
Kalpesh Parshotam, whom alongside Matthew Mulaji won last year’s event, will be away in South Africa as team manager of the Zimbabwe men’s hockey team.
Another crack player Neil Nesbitt, runner up in 2014 with partner Michelle Williams, has business engagements in the neighbouring country.
Williams will also miss the local squash tourney as she is part of the national women’s hockey team for the Olympic qualifiers in South Africa.
Despite the setback, OMs squash section chairman Janak Doolabh said the tournament, now in its fourth year will go ahead. However, he said they still expected 16 pairs to take part as was the case last year.
According to Doolabh, Mulaji and Janeel Giga where favourites to win the pairs so is the partnership of Mike Burns and Trevor Williams.
“The tournament is definitely on, it is sad some of the players are not taking part this year.
“We are still expecting 16 pairs; we are starting from Friday afternoon to Saturday evening.
“Seeding will be done once we have all the entrants, from strongest to the weakest then draw with the strongest playing the weakest.
“After the final we will have an awards dinner,’’ said Doolabh.
There will be no monetary prizes for the winners with the plate for the bottom section winners, while the champions will bag the OMs trophy.
Last year, Parshotam and Mulaji defeated the pair of Nesbitt and Williams in the final.
Online Reporter