Nat Squash Queen Ashley Khalil also played Badminton for Guyana

Jul 19, 2020 Sports

By Sean Devers

The Multi-talented 27-year-old Ashley Khalil holds two unique records in Guyana in the Sports of Squash and Badminton.
In 2007 the talented Ashley made her Guyana Senior Squash team debut at 14.

Ashley Khalil plays a back hand shot.

At that time Ashley, whose first sport was Badminton, was the U-15, U-17 and U-19 National Champion in both Squash and Badminton. This was the first time this had ever been achieved in Guyana’s history.
That same year she also won Silver and Bronze Medals at the Junior Pan-Am U-19 Squash tournament, was the Caribbean U-15 Champion, got a Silver Medal at Senior Nationals, and gained a Silver Medal at the Caribbean Junior Badminton Championships.
So dominant was her performances in both Sports that she received the 2007 Junior Sportswoman of the Year.
Her other unique achievement took place last year in the KFC Senior National tournament. But she got some assistance from her younger brother Jason-Ray as they became the first pair of brother and sister to ever be crowned National Squash Champions in the Men’s Open and Women’s Open respectively.
Some of other her greatest achievements in her squash career includes representing Guyana at the Commonwealth Games in India (Open Multi-Sport Games) at just seventeen years old. Winnings 3 Caribbean Junior Titles, 1 Silver and 4 Bronze Medals at Junior Pan-Am, 2 Women’s National Championships, 1 Silver and 2 Bronze Medals at Senior Caribbean Championships, 2 Bronze Medals at the South American Games and 5 Bronze Medals at CAC Games.

Ashley with one of her Dogs Kola.

However, Ashley has stopped playing badminton competitively because she claims there were always obstacles interjected by the Guyana Badminton Association to protect their own players and cause confusion when she tried to partake in their competitions.
She feels she is still good enough to compete against any badminton player and hope to one day be able to represent her country again.
In one of her biggest Squash tournaments, Ashley, a part of three-women Guyana team which included Mary Fung-a-Fat and Taylor Fernandes, lost her debut game at the 18th Pan American Games in Lima, Peru, to Chilean number one seed Giselle Delgado.
Ashley was born on March 15, 1993 in Georgetown, Guyana to Raymond and Amanda Khalil and is the middle sibling of their three children.
Ashley grew up with her parents, her older sister Krystal-Lisa and a younger brother Jason-Ray and spent her entire life in Meadowbrook Gardens.
The right-handed Ashley attended Marian Academy from Prep A to Fifth Form before going to School of the Nations for two years of Sixth Form.
Her childhood was filled with various sporting activities and was an enjoyable time of her life.
“We have a sizeable yard, which is all concrete, and this allowed us to play various types of sports.
My childhood was extremely enjoyable, with many happy memories, numerous birthday parties, countless cricket matches, running and cycling races, swinging, sea-sawing and sliding head first into any sport that we could think of.
With all this going on, I couldn’t help always having a bruised knee, scratched elbow or stumped toe but thankfully, no broken bones,” remembered Ashley.
“Ever since I was young, my brother and I would have numerous sibling rivalries with everything we did. Whether it was racing, playing cricket, or cycling in the yard, it was always highly competitive.
But the true rivalry came when we started to play badminton and squash and neither of us wanted to lose to the other. Being the older sibling, it was only right that I won – at least that’s how it was in the beginning,” Ashley continued.

Coach Ramom Chan-a-Sue (left) and GSA Head David Fernandes with Taylor Fernandes, Ashley and Mary Fung-a-Fat at the Pan Am Games in Lima, Peru last year.

Unlike many Public Schools, most Private Schools place a lot of emphasis on both Sports and Academics.
“I am forever grateful for the well-rounded environment which Marian Academy provided during my school life. They not only encouraged academics but also extra-curricular activities. As a result, I was able to excel in badminton, athletics and volleyball. I also participated in tennis and basketball,” Ashley disclosed.
Ashley started playing squash at a very young age and explained how she developed an interest in Squash.
“In the beginning before stepping foot into Georgetown Club, I knew nothing about the sport. By being around people and observing them play, I eventually grasped the concept, had fun learning and made some lasting friendships.
I was able to compete and excel in squash because of my badminton background. I really enjoy playing badminton, it is the fastest racquet sport and it teaches you to quicken your reflexes. It started off as a family sport for me, as my Dad played competitively and still does so for recreational and fitness purposes,” added Ashley whose favourite dish is Macaroni and cheese.
“My siblings and I quickly fell into also playing. I don’t remember the first match I played, but I definitely remember the first one that I lost. I cried my heart out as though it was the end of the world,” Ashley, who has two dogs; Trixie and Kola.
Ashley who is a volunteer with an animal organization, ‘Paws for A Cause – Guyana’ which aims to minimize cruelty to animals and help educate people on ways to control the pet population, first represented Guyana at the Junior Level in squash from the age of 12 and was the Winner of the Consolation Draw in that Year’s Caribbean Championships in 2005 and at Junior level for her Country until 2011 when she reached the age limit.
“My most memorable Junior tournament would be winning my first Caribbean Championship in Tortola 2007 (Girls Under 15). Having my family and friends there to support and celebrate my victory with me made it very special.

Ashley & her brother Jason-Ray made local history when they won the female & male Open respectively in 2019 KFC Nat Snr Squash Championship.

My most memorable Senior tournament would be 2019 Senior Nationals. Even though it was my second time winning the Ladies Open it was extremely special for me because I got to share that victory with my baby brother who won the Men’s Open Category. We made local history that day,” stated the local Squash Queen.
“To describe my style of play I would say, I mix explosive drives with deft drops and I rely on my volleying skills and shot selections. My main goal is to try and dominate my opponent and taking full advantage of their mistakes,” explained the young woman.
“The most challenging aspect of playing squash is that it requires a high level of fitness, strategy, dedication, commitment to training and mental toughness. Those challenges make the sport more enjoyable and encourages me to strive for better,” revealed Ashley.
She said there are no disappointments in her Squash career.
“The only set back is that squash is not recognized as an Olympic Sport and it would be my dream to represent my country on such a grand scale,” disclosed Ashley.
She noted that compared to the other Caribbean counties, the standard of squash in Guyana is relatively high and competitive.
“But compared to the rest of the world, we are only satisfactory. We have a very good Junior Programme and it shows in our Results at Caribbean Championships and other Regional Tournaments over the years.
As anything in life, there is always room for improvement and I believe that we can improve the level of squash in Guyana by holding more local tournaments for both Juniors and Seniors and exposing promising players to more Regional and International Tournaments.”
Ashley says Squash is not a very popular sport in Guyana, especially outside of Georgetown because there are limited amounts of functional courts and also only a few people fully understand the sport.
“As with most competitive sports there is a stigma associated with girls being involved. We must change those stereotypes and break those barriers down and encourage our girls to get involved as we try to raise the bar and create more elite women athletes.
Sport teaches people to be strong, confident and resilient and it also helps them develop communication and leadership skills. It doesn’t matter if you’re male or female,” added Ashley.
“When I’m not playing squash, I help manage my family business A.R.K. Enterprise. I am a certified Level Two Squash Coach and also enjoy spending quality time with my family, cooking, going out of town and travelling,” said Ashley.
Ashley says she is not interested in playing professional squash because she does not feel that the reward equals or surpasses the amount of energy, time, risk and commitment she would have to put into becoming a professional, especially with squash still not yet being an Olympic Sport.
“My family is my support system and a crucial part of my life, I cannot fathom the thought of having to be away from them for long periods of time,” informed Ashley.
“I am presently living in Guyana and like everywhere else in the world, the Covid-19 pandemic has had a major impact on all sporting events. Tournaments are cancelled and there is no indication as to when they will resume. I have not been on a squash court in about four months. I am trying to stay in shape at home with some basic workouts and drills,” said the Squash Champion.
“I will forever be thankful for my family who never miss an opportunity to come out and support and watch me compete, while Robert Fernandes was one of the first people that showed me techniques and the basics of squash.
My main coach, my Dad, spent countless hours playing with me against our wall at home and taking me to the courts to put in some much needed practice. My brother, who I do most of my training with and the main reason for my improvements and keeping my game on form; Finally, Coach Carl Ince for running the National Team training,” Ashley stated.
She is hopeful that squash would be admitted to the Olympics during her career as a squash player.
“Unless it is accepted for the 2024 Olympics, I would not get the chance to attend or participate. If I had one wish, it would be to represent Guyana at the Olympics.
I will always be grateful for sports, squash in particular, because I got opportunities to compete in some of the most beautiful countries with top-class facilities,” Ashley concluded.