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Collin Matiza
FORMER Zimbabwe number one squash player Ishmael Mubure says reuniting with fellow ex-professionals at the recently held WSF World Masters Championships in Amsterdam, Netherlands, reminded him that he still has 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.
Speaking to Zimpapers Sports 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 participating at the World Masters event and a great experience. I played over 35 age group. My enthusiasm for the game is as big as ever,” Mubure said.
“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 tough 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 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 in Harare.
It was under the guidance of Mukumba that Mubure turned into a fully-fledged professional player and later decided to settle in the Netherlands.
At Belgravia Sports Club, Mubure helped to set up the Zimbabwe Education Squash Trust (ZEST).
ZEST was established in Harare to develop the talents of underprivileged children from vulnerable areas through squash and academic support.
The programme mentors young boys and girls from underprivileged backgrounds in Zimbabwe to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor by introducing them to squash and propelling them to reach new heights in academics as well as sport.
The academy invests in the future of the juniors by providing mentorship in all facets of life, not just squash.
The guidance, as well as scholarships that are provided by ZEST, are key to helping these juniors lead successful and fulfilled lives and also help to create a positive impact on their communities and beyond.
The founder and trustee of ZEST believes that the juniors have not yet got adequate opportunity to improve and showcase their talents.
ZEST embodies the principle at the heart of this mission and are a strong force in fuelling positive change in Zimbabwe.
They believe that education is key to teaching skills and thereby enhancing productivity and creativity.
The programme trusts that the more juniors get interested in the sport, the more they aim higher in education through support from the trust.
ZEST is one of the best programmes at nurturing talent and promoting diversity by being a great champion in mentoring a squash programme that encourages juniors from all backgrounds, no matter their race, colour, ethnicity, religion or economic status, and helps to shape characters to bring out the best in the individual and communities as a whole.
Online Reporter