GUYANA and Caribbean squash queen Nicolette Fernandes and two of her prodigies, in Mary Fung-A-Fat and Ashley DeGroot both 18 years old, were given wild cards to compete in the upcoming World Squash Championships, which will be held in the Grand Cayman Islands from December 13 to 21.

At a simple but very important presentation ceremony, hosted by telecommunications giant Digicel (Guyana) Incorporated at their Barrack Street, Kingston office, the trio received a cheque for $500 000, which they gratefully accepted.
Present at the ceremony were Digicel’s Marketing Manager Jacqueline James and Public Relations Manager Shonnet Moore, secretary of the Guyana Amateur Squash Association (GASA) Vidushi Persaud along with parents and other well-wishers.
The Guyanese got their wild card invitations, based on their performances at the Caribbean Amateur Squash Association (CASA) Junior and Senior championships, in which Fung-A-Fat and DeGroot placed first and second in the Under-18 category, while Fernandes took the top podium spot in her division.
Said Persaud, “We are very pleased that this year we have the participation of three vibrant squash players at such an esteemed championships and this is all possible, thanks to Digicel who has been our corporate sponsor for the past two years.”
According to Persaud, the tournament attracts the best women’s squash players from around the world and is the largest tournament on the pro tour of the Women’s Squash Association, hence GASA’s delight at the trio being selected.
The cheerful sounding Persaud who is an Attorney-at-Law by profession, told her audience the 29-year-old Fernandes who once reached a career-high number 27 in the world rankings, is getting back there after moving 12 places from 60 to 48, breaking into the top 50 in the process.
“Even though Nicolette is not here today, I was told by her mom that she is travelling from the United Kingdom, having just competed in a tournament in Hong Kong and will team up with Mary and Ashley in the Cayman Islands,” stated Persaud, who repeatedly showered praise on Digicel for the work the entity has done in the development of squash in Guyana, with unflinching support.
James said her company was pleased to be associated with the GASA, adding how pleasurable it was for Digicel to be supporting the trio on this venture for added success in the squash arena.
“Digicel is always pleased to be on board with anything that supports youth and youth development in our society and this being our second year in partnership with the GASA, I must say that they have achieved something by having three of their women go to the world championships.”
While outlining how wonderful it would be if any of the trio returns with success, James said Digicel and the entire Guyana would be cheering them on, while charging them to give of their best at all times adding that their participation at such a prestigious tournament would be a lifetime memoir for them.
Both Fung-A-Fat and DeGroot emulated Persaud by thanking Digicel for its support over the years, adding how pleased they were with the work being done by the Company and its partnership with the local squash fraternity.
They both admitted that their game may not be on par with some of their competitors whom they will be facing at the tournament, but promised to give of their best while showing the world what Guyana has to offer when it comes to squash.
Meanwhile, in response to a question that was asked by one of the media operatives present, Persaud said the sport of squash has been growing tremendously following the completion of the two courts at the Non Pariel Racquet Centre on Woolford Avenue, where national coach Carl Ince conducts sessions with students from eight schools, thanks to the generosity of the Ministry of Sport.
According to the website http://www.worldopensquash.com , the first four days of competition will take place at the South Sound Squash Club and then the action moves to the grass court on the picturesque Festival Green at Camana Bay.
Camana Bay is where reigning World Champion Nicol David, who remains undefeated on Cayman soil, won her three Cayman Open titles. David is the six-time World Champion who hails from Malaysia and in a message said; “It’s just fantastic that the Cayman Islands will be hosting the 2012 World Open. I’m really excited to be back there and I know a lot of people are coming from all over the world to watch the top women compete and enjoy everything the island has to offer.”
David heads the list of 88 athletes participating in the weeklong Cayman World Open competition that will include a 32-player main draw, 64-player qualifying draw and approximately 34 different nationalities present.