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Letter to the Sports Editor…Guyana’s Squash dominance started since in the 1980’s

May 24, 2012 Sports

 

 

Dear Sports Editor,
I refer to your article entitled “Coach Ince says CASA preparations going well” (KN May 21, 2012).
As a product of Guyana squash from the 1980’s, I challenge the notion of Guyana not being a dominant force in squash prior to Carl Ince taking over as national coach in 1998.
Guyana first emerged as a regional squash powerhouse in 1984 at junior CASA in Jamaica. The then newly constructed team exploded on the scene and claimed the first of the unique triple of Boy’s, Girl’s and Overall team titles. In fact, nine of ten team members made it at least to the semifinals in the respective individual tournaments.
This initial success was due to a confluence of many factors but, inter alia, a unique group of talented players that would define a generation (Richard Chin, Diane Lee, Gillian Griffith, Garfield Wiltshire, Roger Arjoon, all who would go on to win a plethora of national junior and senior titles) as well as the inspiration, guidance and skill of one, Dr. Ronald Hughes.
Ron was a Canadian diplomat stationed in Guyana, but also a certified squash coach who established the first formal coaching programme in the country.
Highly technical and supremely organized, his unique system was the foundation of all the success that followed. I don’t have the records to hand, but would posit that our squash success at a regional level from 1984 to 1998 (a convenient 14 year period and therefore one for easy analysis and comparability), was equally as good as the more recent 14 year period to date.
Coach Ince has done an absolutely fantastic job in his tenure as national coach and he is revered by everyone in the local squash community.
His leadership and skill has guided the success of this generation of players and his presence and efforts will no doubt ensure continued success.
However, squash success for Guyana was evident for half a generation prior and I believe our dominance had already been established at the regional level; a unique achievement for a national sport over a 28 year period and one of which we should all feel great national pride.
Roger Arjoon

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