Karen Anderson, President of Jamaica Squash Association.
After being re-elected president of Jamaica Squash Association, Karen Anderson is intent on building on the platform laid from her previous term to ensure the continued growth and development of the sport locally.
Anderson, who took the reins of the sporting body last year, was returned for second one-year term which she said represents an opportunity to achieve certain personal ambitions and, by extension, bring visions for the sports progression, to fruition.
To that end, she hopes to finish the governance process of a name change, among other things by mid-2024, as well as to possibly hire a Technical director to assist in the country’s competitiveness at various tournaments.
“As you know, a few years ago all sporting bodies were encouraged to become charitable entities, which is an arduous process and it's also quite expensive, so we had put off for quite a while. But part of my mandate and my manifesto was to do that aspect of it, to become a charitable entity,” Anderson told Sportsmax.tv.
“So, the first resolution spoke to the association becoming a charitable entity; the second one spoke to a name change from Jamaica Squash Association to Jamaica Squash Limited trading as Jamaica Squash and then the third one was to the approval of current constitution of Jamaica's Association subsumed by Articles of Incorporation, which is what governs charitable bodies. So, all of the resolutions were passed and passed unanimously,” she added.
While Anderson reveled in the success of the country’s junior and senior teams at their respective Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) tournament recently, she noted areas in which the country can improve to become more formidable on the regional stage and the appointment of a technical director, she believes is a key component.
“Based on some of the things we saw last year, we added a strength and conditioning coach as a fitness element. All of the juniors and seniors worked with this strength and conditioning coach to get them up to standard and we saw a marked improvement in that and that's something that we're actually going to continue to do,” Anderson shared.
“We have also seen the success of other Caribbean countries that have technical directors and that’s a significant way to increase our competitiveness within the region. We haven't identified the person yet because we need to identify the money first, but we believe that we can turn some of our silver and bronze medals into gold and maybe start to contend and be part of the top two in the region.
“As I've said to the players, if we can't compete and be competitive in this region which is the Caribbean region, then there's no point even trying to take it outside of the Caribbean. Because you need to be able to do it at home first and home for me is the Caribbean. So, that's really where we're looking. It's expensive, but we believe that is direction that we have to go in,” she reasoned.
That said, Anderson, a former National and Caribbean singles champion, pointed out that starting a school programme is also high on her agenda to not only widen the sport’s reach but also the pool from which players are selected for national duties.
“Currently, if you can hit the ball you almost can he selected. We want the kids to fight for a spot so that they become more competitive and learn how to win. So those are the areas that we're going to focus on to improve on some of those results. I would also love to be able to host a Professional Squash tournament attracting the world’s best players to play in Jamaica,” she declared.
Anderson’s executive committee includes Joey Levy, vice president, Gill Binnie, secretary and Deanne Pryce, treasurer. Committee
members are Douglas Beckford, Nathlee Boreland, and Tahjia Lumley.
Sherdon Cowan is a five-time award-winning journalist with 10 years' experience covering sports.
Blown captures first KPMG squash title with thrilling victory over Fantastic Warriors
Blown emerged triumphant in a thrilling final of the 24th KPMG Squash League, defeating Fantastic Warriors in a fiercely contested showdown at the Liguanea Club. This victory marks Blown's inaugural championship title in the league, solidifying their place among Jamaica's squash elite.
The final match unfolded with nail-biting intensity as Blown navigated through a series of competitive encounters against their resilient opponents.
Blown initially faced adversity when Anthony Mahfood fell short in a closely contested match against Nabeel Jawad from the Fantastic Warriors. Mahfood displayed determination but ultimately succumbed to Jawad's precision, with scores of 16-21, 21-5, 10-21, 16-21.
However, Blown swiftly regained momentum with a standout performance from captain Jake Mahfood, who demonstrated exceptional skill and energy against Fantastic Warriors' captain Stewart Maxwell. Mahfood's dominance on the court was evident as he claimed victory in straight sets, with scores of 21-15, 21-15, 21-14, leveling the match at one apiece and setting the stage for a decisive third match.
In the pivotal third encounter, Andrew Bicknell demonstrated clinical prowess against Andre Sewell of the Fantastic Warriors, sealing the championship for Blown in commanding fashion with scores of 21-15, 21-20, 21-14.
Reflecting on the team's achievement, Captain Mahfood expressed gratitude to his teammates for their unflinching support throughout the tournament, highlighting Andrew Bicknell's exceptional performance as instrumental to their success.
"It's fantastic. It's a great tournament. It's been a phenomenal tournament, and we look forward to next year to defend our title," remarked Mahfood, exuding pride for Blown's victory.
Mahfood's stellar contributions did not go unnoticed, as he was honoured with the coveted MVP award, a testament to his leadership and on-court excellence. Fraser McConnell, another key member of the Blown team, played an integral role in their championship journey.
In response to the defeat, Stewart Maxwell of the Fantastic Warriors acknowledged the formidable skill and youthfulness of the Blown team, commending their superior performance on the court.
"When you have superior players whose shot placements give you a guided tour of the four corners of the court, that's exactly what happened," remarked Maxwell, highlighting the level of skill exhibited by the Blown squad.
Despite the outcome, Maxwell expressed optimism for the future, aiming to elevate the Fantastic Warriors' performance in the next edition of the KPMG Squash League.
The KPMG Squash League, widely regarded for its quality and longevity, received high praise from Tarun Handa, KPMG's senior partner, who highlighted the league's alignment with the organization's core values of integrity, excellence, and teamwork.
Karen Anderson, president of Jamaica Squash, echoed sentiments of satisfaction, emphasizing the event's inclusivity and significance in promoting the sport across diverse demographics.
As Blown celebrates their historic victory, the squash community eagerly anticipates the continued growth and success of the KPMG Squash League, fueled by enduring partnerships with sponsors like KPMG and new supporters like WATA, who contribute to the sport's flourishing development in Jamaica.
Blown and Fantastic Warriors set for thrilling KPMG Squash League final this evening
Blown and Fantastic Warriors have secured their spots in the eagerly anticipated final of the 24th KPMG Squash League after impressive victories over Saints and Racketeers in the semi-finals. Squash enthusiasts are gearing up for an exciting showdown between these two formidable teams, scheduled for this Friday at the Liguanea Club in New Kingston, with the action kicking off at 6:00 pm on the main court.
The path to the final saw both teams display exceptional skill and determination, thrilling spectators with intense matches that highlighted the competitive spirit of the league.
In the first semi-final clash between Blown and Saints, Jerry Bell of Saints delivered a commanding performance to secure victory over Fraser McConnell in straight sets (21-17, 21-19, 21-13). However, Blown fought back fiercely, with Jake Mahfood and Andrew Bicknell securing crucial wins to propel their team to the final.
Meanwhile, the battle between Fantastic Warriors and Racketeers kept fans on the edge of their seats with extended rallies and impressive displays of athleticism. Racketeers' Adam Lee and Fantastic Warriors' Nabeel Jawad and Stewart Maxwell showcased exceptional talent, ultimately leading to a thrilling conclusion in favor of the Fantastic Warriors.
This year's league has witnessed captivating matches and standout performances, with a new champion set to be crowned following the absence of defending champions AGI (Advantage General Insurance). The competition, which began with 16 teams in early March, featured 64 players representing a diverse range of skill levels, from beginners to national champions.
A unique aspect of the league was the implementation of handicaps based on players' skill levels, ensuring a level playing field and offering every participant an opportunity to excel. Matches were extended to twenty-one points, adding an extra layer of challenge and excitement to the games.
As the KPMG Squash League reaches its pinnacle with the highly anticipated final, squash enthusiasts and supporters eagerly await what promises to be an exhilarating showdown between Blown and Fantastic Warriors. Don't miss out on the action as these two top-tier teams vie for supremacy in this prestigious tournament.
Elite Jamaica squash player Julian Morrison fights back against doping allegations after positive test for Boldenone
In a bid to clear his name and restore his reputation, Jamaica's national squash champion, Julian Morrison, is challenging the provisional suspension imposed by the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) after testing positive for trace amounts of Boldenone, a banned anabolic agent.
The suspension came following an out-of-competition test conducted on January 18th, 2024, where Morrison's results showed the presence of Boldenone in his system. However, Morrison and his representatives strongly assert that the substance entered his body inadvertently, likely through contamination.
Dr. Emir Crowne and Mr. Matthew Gayle, legal representatives for Morrison, are steadfast in their support of his innocence. They emphasize that Boldenone's presence was unintentional and stress Morrison's commitment to upholding the integrity of the sport.
Speaking on behalf of Morrison, Dr. Crowne stated, "As best as can be determined at this time, the banned substance unknowingly entered Mr. Morrison's system through contamination." Morrison remains determined to expedite the process of vindication and is actively engaging with authorities to clear his name.
Boldenone, often associated with bodybuilding due to its anabolic properties, is prohibited in competitive sports. However, Morrison's case highlights the complexities of anti-doping regulations and the challenges faced by athletes when dealing with inadvertent exposure to banned substances.
Despite the setback, Morrison remains resolute and hopeful for a positive resolution. His representatives have expressed confidence in the ongoing efforts to overturn the suspension and restore Morrison's eligibility to compete.
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