Mubure carries Zim flag high in Amsterdam

Collin Matiza

FORMER Zimbabwe number one squash player Ishmael Mubure says reuniting with fellow ex-pros at the recently held WSF World Masters Championships in Amsterdam, Netherlands, reminded him that he still got what it takes to beat some of the best players in the world.

Mubure, who is now based in the Netherlands but still carries the Zimbabwean flag wherever he plays overseas, did well to be placed 17th overall in the over 35 age-group during the week-long tournament which ended at the weekend.

And speaking to Zimpapers Sport from his base in the Netherlands yesterday, Mubure said he was blown away by the quality of the players who entered this year’s MSF World Masters Championships in Amsterdam.

He gave a good account of himself during this international tournament.

“It was my first time to participate at the World Masters event and it was a great experience. I played over 35 age-group. My enthusiasm of the game is as big as ever.

“I’m now 37 years old and it was a great experience since it was my first ever Masters tournament.

“I played well in the first match and won 3-0 against Gaurav Samtani from India. The second match was very difficult against the number 2 seed Christo Potgieter of South Africa, I performed well and lost 3-1 but maybe I could’ve done better and tried to push him to the fifth set.

“ And after that I won my last four matches for the position 17th overall against very strong players who were all seeded above me but I just felt that I was getting better and stronger after each match.

“”The last match against Gordon Harper of the UK was very tough but I managed to win 3-2 in the end so overall I’m very pleased with the results.

“I carried my Zimbabwean flag high and in my heart throughout the whole tournament and it made me to discover that I still have what it takes to beat some of the best players in the world…that is those that are in my age-group, “ Mubure said.

He is a product of Mashumba Mukumba who discovered and groomed him at Belgravia Sports Club here in Harare.