MAKING a successful defence of their Caribbean Area Squash Association’s (CASA) junior male, female and overall team titles as well as their senior male and female titles and participating at major international events are just a few of Guyana Squash Association’s (GSA) plans for 2015.Speaking exclusively with Chronicle Sport, GSA president David Fernandes outlined his association’s plans for this year.

“Our main goal is to make a successful defence of the CASA junior overall team title as well as capturing the CASA senior team title,” Fernandes stated.
Guyana won the male, female and overall junior titles last year and victory again this year would see them win the overall title for the 11th consecutive year.
The CASA junior championship is billed for Barbados in July of this year
With regard to the CASA senior championships which will be hosted by the Cayman Islands in August of this year, Fernandes is optimistic that both the men and ladies will make a successful defence of their respective titles and further, will add the overall team title to their silverware with the inclusion of a veteran team.
“Last year we did not have a representative veteran team, so we were not eligible for that title, but hopefully, we’ll field a veteran team this year and possibly win the overall team title,” Fernandes stated.
The former national hockey player said his association will be sending a four-member girls’ team to the world’s Junior Championships to be held in Egypt and the team has already been identified, comprising Akeila and Larissa Wiltshire, Gabby Fraser and Taylor Fernandes.
The GSA head said a few years ago, a team was sent to the World Juniors in the United States and the Jeffrey siblings (Kayla and Kimberley) did Guyana proud. “They did very well, so I hope that the team that has been selected for the World’s in Egypt this year can emulate the Jeffreys who went to the U.S. that year,” Fernandes stated.
Fernandes, who is available for re-election as president of the GSA when elections are held next month, said at last year’s Junior CASA, the locals did poorly in the individual categories, but this year he is very optimistic that this will change for the better for Guyana. “I’m certain we’ll win individual titles this year,” Fernandes confidently stated.
Apart from the major tournaments on the GSA’s calendar this year, the association has started its junior training programme with sessions at the National Racquet Centre, Woolford Avenue on Fridays and at the Georgetown Club, Camp Street on Saturdays.
Sessions at both venues are of one-hour duration and are open to any boy or girl wishing to get involved in the sport.

(By Michael DaSilva)