Rare chance for junior squash players

Brighton Zhawi
AN open invitation has been sent out to junior squash players to take part in the Mashonaland Squash Grand Prix tournament, as the Mashonaland Squash Association seeks to give the players exposure and help them prepare for international tournaments.
The Grand Prix tournament, which had previously featured senior first league players only, is set for this Friday at Belgravia Sports Club with around 20 participants expected to take part.
Tournament organiser Hassan Ahmed said they saw it right to help nurture young talent through such tournaments.
“Previous versions only had eight first league players, but we have some top junior players like Callum Lawton and Luke Mannion, who played in some top international junior tournaments last year.
“So we are working at grooming them into the national men’s squad, these tournaments are important for them,” said Ahmed.
“This will be the first of three tournaments, we hope to invite junior players, and we also hope to have them on an annual basis,” he said.
“We will use the round robin format in the group stages, then play-offs for the final placing,” he said.
Ahmed believes that rubbing shoulders with seniors would be ideal preparation for the young players ahead of the season.
“The junior tournaments are beginning next week with the Mashonaland Championships after which Zimbabwe Championships will follow in March.
“The All-Africa Championships will then be held at the end of March in Egypt.
“Taking part in these Grand Prix tournaments is the ideal preparation for them to get used to playing tougher opponents,” he said.
Ahmed continued:
“There is also the senior All-Africa tournament, provisionally set for Namibia, and so the Grand Prix will also help us select the squad for that tour.
“We hope to blood in a few junior players,” he said.