Local squash players celebrate World Squash Day

The University of Limpopo’s (UL) Squash Club joined the rest of the world in celebrating World Squash Day on Saturday by hosting a tournament at the Polokwane Squash Club.
The challenge attracted both young and senior players and children attached to Bana-Pele Orphan Centre in Mankweng.
UL sport organiser, Sonica Fritz indicated that the annual event aims to promote the game and encourage clubs to organise activities to attract new players to the sport. She confirmed that 60 players turned up for the tournament of which 40 had never played before or seen a squash court. She emphasised that the sport was not yet popular in black communities but the attendance by black players was proof that they were coming on board.
“Squash is well developed in the Mankweng area but we still need many more people to join. Children from the orphanage spiced up the day and all the participants did their best. We want to thank everyone who made the day a success, from players to people who prepared the food and our sponsors,” Fritz explained.
All the children received medals for their participation while the winners of the challenge Juano Eksteen and Shady Maebana received trophies for finishing first and second respectively.
It was learnt that World Squash Day has its own theme tune composed by squash-loving Stuart Sharp and sung by the late Oliver Cheatham. The song, ‘Africa’ was reportedly recorded live at a charity concert in Zambia in January 1989.

Story and photos: ENDY SENYATSI
>>endy@observer.co.za