DUE to the aftereffects of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica, Guyana will host this year’s senior Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Championships from November 23-29.

Last year, Guyana hosted the event on home soil and has less than two weeks to get all systems in place for this year’s Caribbean Championships.

However, the tournament coordinator, Dejay Dias, is confident that Guyana can be a successful host despite the limited preparation time.

“With 12 days to prepare for nearly 120 athletes, it’s no small feat. Players will have their moment on the Court to shine, this is where the Guyana Squash Association (GSA) board steps up to the plate and we do a damn good job of it. We have hosted several CASAs in modern history. This organising team has plenty of experience hosting CASA. It’s almost muscle memory at this point.” Dias disclosed.

“We pretty much start from scratch. Hats off to David Fernandes (GSA President), he mobilises that part. It’s impressive how much support he can garner in such a short time,” explained the live-wire of the GSA.

We are even going to donate our budget surplus after expenses to Jamaica Squash to do our part as a squash community to contribute to relief efforts as Jamaica rebuilds after Hurricane Melissa.

It’s a tragedy what happened in Jamaica. Stepping in to host is doing our part to help. We are a Caribbean Squash family and we will do all we can. We have the confidence to know we could pull it off.”

CASA is being used as qualification for the CAC games. That submission is due by December 1.

He continued, “CASA has to run, and it can’t be delayed by even a day…somebody had to do it, and we are among the few who have the facilities and support to execute.

“Big up to Enet, our Corporate Sponsor, Mcoy, for providing a fantastic NRC facility. It’s going to great use. Additionally, to GOA, KFC JFL, and Bounty, who have come on board since this article was written, I’m sure more will follow.”

We are among the few who have the facilities and support to execute, and we are going to put on a show for Guyana, Barbados, Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Bermuda, Cayman Islands and the Dominican Republic, who are new to CASA.”

“H.E. President Irfan Ali said that when he opened the National Racket Centre, he wanted this facility to be a nexus for bringing sports tourism to Guyana. That was his focus for this multi-sport facility. This is us coming good on that expectation. We have a great relationship with the GOG.”

HE noted that the Minister of Culture, Youth and Sport Charles Ramson Jnr will meet with the body in this week to iron out plans, adding that the GSA is looking forward to working with the Minster within that ministry, Steven Jacobs.

“Lastly, all the best to team Guyana and all the competitors. We’re going to make some great memories and hopefully win as well. That’s always fun,” Dias said.

This year’s CASA is qualification for the Central American and Caribbean Games being held in Santo Domingo next summer.

“That’s the prize. We have already qualified, but this is a stepping stone for Team Guyana to rise to higher expectations,” concluded Dias.

Since CASA was inaugurated in 1977 in the Bahamas, Guyana is the only country to host consecutive tournaments.

The four-time defending team Champions have the opportunity to join Jamaica, who won the first five Championships, as the countries with the most consecutive titles.

Guyana has hosted CASA four times and has won seven titles since taking its first title in 1989 in Barbados.

This is the second occasion that a Hurricane has affected Jamaica, hosting CASA.

In 2007, the CASA was abandoned when Hurricane Dean hit the largest English-speaking Caribbean Island.