The Sunday News
Ngqwele Dube Sports Correspondent
THE All-Africa Squash Seniors Championships that had been pencilled for the end of this month in Nigeria have been cancelled as only two countries confirmed participation.
Zimbabwe Squash Association chairman Lucky Mlilo said the Squash Federation of Africa decided to cancel the tournament outrightly than scheduling it to another date.
Mlilo said only Nigeria and Egypt had confirmed participation and the rest of the squash playing nations on the continent had not done so.
He said while nations did not give reasons for their failure to register for the tourney most were dissuaded by the volatile situation in the West African nation that recently has been plagued by renewed violence.
Nigeria has seen a spate of kidnappings by the insurgency group, Boko Haram. Recent reports indicate they have abducted several school children in the Chibok while several people have died from violent attacks by the group.
Mlilo, however, said Zimbabwe’s situation was different as the country had difficulties in securing funds to attend the event.
“I think the problem that forced many countries to stay away from Nigeria is the volatile situation currently obtaining there but for us (Zimbabwe) it was a matter of funding challenges. Players fund themselves and none have been able to raise the required money for travelling and subsistence while attending the tournament,” he said.
Mlilo said lack of sponsorship has remained a perennial problem for local squash and while juniors have been able to hold fund-raising events and secure money from their parents it was a different story for the seniors.
He said some of the squash players are unemployed while sponsors preferred working with young players than financing older ones.
“I think companies feel it is better to invest in development than fund senior players but this has resulted in fewer older players attending events outside the country,” said Mlilo.
Next year’s edition of the All-Africa Squash Seniors are scheduled for Botswana.
The All-Africa Junior Championships also hang in the balance after doubts over whether Egypt would be in a stable environment to host the tournament in June as the country is set to hold presidential elections on 26 May and 27 May.
Egypt has been in political turmoil since the toppling of elected president, Mohamed Morsi, last year who was also the leader of the Muslim Brotherhood.
Morsi’s supporters have taken to the streets resulting in running battles with the authorities.
The junior championships had been scheduled for Alexandria. There are fears violence might intensify after the elections.
“SFA is looking at moving the event to another date but there are difficulties in reaching a consensus as we are approaching times when students would be writing final examinations in various countries. Consultations are still being held so as to come up with a suitable date agreeable to most nations,” said Mlilo.
Another challenge is the fact that Namibia would be hosting the World Junior Championships in August. This would be the third time Africa would be playing host to the international squash event after Egypt and South Africa.
Mlilo was appointed the tournament referee for the event.
“We are looking at September, October, November or December but examinations are likely to stand in the way but I am sure it would be held this year. Another unique problem for Zimbabwe concerning the All-Africa Junior championships is that our top three players would have turned 20 hence they would not be eligible to play in the competition. Our team that is going there would be weaker,” he said.
Players aged only 19 and below are allowed to take part in the juniors’ tournament but Zimbabwe’s top three players, Blessing Muhwati, Carol Hobert and Runyararo Kadyautumbe would have turned 20 by the end of November, said Mlilo.
