National Junior Squash players Benjamin Mekdeci and Taylor Fernandes are hoping to walk away with respective singles titles when the Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Junior Championships get underway today at the Georgetown Club courts.
Both players will be turning 19 later this year, which will bring an end to their careers as junior players; and each would have to play an integral role if Guyana is to cop its 13th consecutive title.
Head Coach Carl Ince flanked by Taylor Fernandes and Benjamin Mekdeci
“This is my last year (as a junior player), and like anybody would like to do, (I would like to) go out with a bang,” Meckdeci disclosed, adding: “‘Individuals’ is always a big goal of mine to add to my titles as Caribbean champion, but the team championship is more important than anything else; so making sure my boys are up to par and ready to perform is (my) ultimate aim”.
Training overseas for the last 10 months, Mekdeci feels the Barbadians, led by the Guyana-born Shamani Griffith, would provide the toughest competition for Guyana. “Since the last three to three to four years, they [Barbados] have been tough competition. He [Shamani Griffith] is a fantastic player and the team has great depth; so the team that trains the hardest and focuses more will win, and I can say they [Barbados] can win only if they have trained harder than us”.
Likewise, Fernandes disclosed that she wants to avenge her team’s 3-2 loss to Barbados last year. “I am looking to avenge that loss. This year we have a better chance, since we have trained non-stop from September, which was the longest we have ever trained; so we can do it,” she said.
The singles’ title having eluded her last year, Fernandes is hoping to be lucky the second time around.
“It would mean a lot (to me)! Last year was supposed to be my year, (but) I did not do well, I think. But I want to bring home the title, not only for me, but (for) my coach and family,” she disclosed.
The likes of Rebecca Lowe, Makeda Harding and Sarah Lewis are expected to take up the mantle of leading the team when Taylor departs; and she contends that once they are committed, they would excel.
Meanwhile, Head Coach Carl Ince feels the team’s chances are as good as any other team, given the intense training team members have been engaged in.
Cayman Islands, Barbados, Bermuda, Jamaica and Trinidad and Tobago are the countries expected to participate in these championships, which have attracted sponsors such as Digicel, Banks DIH under their Rainforest Water and Powerade brand, ANSA McAL, Bounty Farms, and ExxonMobil.
The individual events will start today, but the team events begin on Wednesday. Action is set to last from 09:00hrs to 13:00hrs, followed by an intermission before a restart at 16:00hrs, to conclude the day’s activities at about 20:00hrs.
While some match-ups would be held at the National Racquet Centre at Camp Road and Woolford Avenue, most of the matches will be held at the Georgetown Club.
Guyana will compete in the Girls and Boys U-13, 15, 17 and 19 categories.
The Guyana teams read – Boys: Shiloh Asregado, Chad De Abreu, Nathan Rahaman, Louis Da Silva, Mohryan Baksh, Demetrius De Abreu, James Mekdeci, Michael Alphonso, Ethan Jonas, Shomari Wiltshire, Gianni Carpenter, Samuel Ince-Carvalhal, Lucas Jonas, Daniel Islam, Anthony Islam, Ben Mekdeci, Alexander Cheeks and Rithew Saywack.
Girls: Christiana Fernandes, Isabella Ramjohn, Beau Fernandes, Kirsten Gomes, Paige Fernandes, Aliyah Persaud, Abosaide Cadogan, Madison Fernandes, Haley Carpenter, Makeda Harding, Sarah Lewis, Rebecca Low and Taylor Fernandes.
