Meet Panashe, number one U19 squash player in SA
WAVERLY – St Mary's School young squash player continues to soar in the squash rankings.
Panashe Sithole of St Mary’s School Waverly, is currently ranked as the number one U19 squash player in South Africa.
She has been invited to participate in the World Junior Women’s Individual Squash Championships which will be held in Poland from 5 to 11 August.
On achieving the remarkable feat at a tender age of 15, she is delighted and hopes to stake a claim at the upcoming championships. “I am very happy and quite excited for it, I have been working very hard for it,” Sithole said. She said she was hugely influenced by her father who also happens to be a squash player.
Only two junior women were selected to represent South Africa and Sithole is the only player from Gauteng.
Balancing school and having to play sport has not been easy for this young girl. She thanked her parents, coaches and the school for the tremendous support they have given her so far. Growing up, Sithole never thought she would be a squash player but now she hopes to continue with the sport and play professionally.
When asked about the Squash Championship in Poland she said, “I am looking forward to competing with people from other countries and enhance my skills.” She added that South Africa is quite behind in terms of squash, and this trip to Poland will be crucial in building her for future competitions and getting exposure.
Sithole also encouraged other young girls at the school to continue training hard and not expect results immediately. “I remember when I first started playing squash and I was not getting where I wanted to get to, but I gave myself time and worked hard,” expressed Sithole.
