WISPA Promotional Tour Hits Jordan
Following their successful visit last week to Turkey, the world's top two women squash players Rachael Grinham and Vanessa Atkinson began the second leg of the 2005 WISPA Promotional Tour in Jordan, a country that none of the party had visited before. The current tour is the latest initiative in the Women's International Squash Players' Association's continuing drive to promote women's squash around the world.
In some ways Jordan is similar to Turkey, in that they both have a history stretching back into times that need to be assessed by carbon dating – in Jordan’s case there are remains dating from Palaeolithic and Neolithic times. Yet both countries only took their current form last century: Turkey in 1923, and Jordan as a result of the carving up of Arab lands in 1921.
The base for the three days in the Kingdom was the capital Amman, a modern city of around 1.5 million people. On arrival, the two players and WISPA Executive Director Andrew Shelley were introduced to the driving forces of Jordanian squash at a traditional Arab dinner. Jordan Squash Federation committee members from the north and south of the country were in attendance, along with JSF President Anas Al-Tal and Vice President Iyad Kamal, who also coordinated the visit.
The WISPA guests learned that squash in Jordan harks back to 1970s, when the first few courts were built, supported by Prince Hassan – a regular player who had enjoyed squash during his time in Pakistan.
The first JSF President was Jaudat Abdul Munem, a pilot who had also been exposed to squash overseas. He would bring his friends to the new courts at the Hassan Squash Centre, and they, together with a smattering of Jordanians who had worked overseas and foreign business people in Amman, formed the nucleus of the small squash community.
The Amman programme for Grinham and Atkinson started with a press conference attended by a throng of journalists and a few TV cameramen too. The purpose of the visit - as WISPA’s initiative in supporting developing the game in a small way by providing a media focus and an opportunity for local players to see some stars - was explained. The result was articles and photos in Al Rayi, Al Dustour and Al Gade, the top three national newspapers, amongst others.
Following the conference, an opening ceremony took place at the excellent Hassan facilities featuring a centre court with rows stretching so far up that spectators would probably need to establish a base camp before attempting to climb to the top row! A parade of youngsters from several clubs across the country preceded an opening match featuring two boys who will surely become PSA stars of the future. Mohahed Siraj, an under seven sprite with a serve to die for, cleaned up against Hamzeh Zubaidi, a full three years and many clothing sizes bigger. His elder brother Ahmed also features strongly and proud father Khalil is already planning a big future for them.
During the two days at the centre, the place resembled an ants' nest of boys and girls, teenagers and adults, swarming around and in the courts, rackets in hand, moving without pattern but filling the building. The only time that the place settled down was when the seating was filled to watch Grinham playing Atkinson; the world number one from Australia sneaking home against the world champion from the Netherlands on a raft of corkscrews and the rest of her armoury.
Amongst the dozens of players was vivacious Ghazwa Najada who is currently ranked two amongst the women. She started in 1992 aged 11, encouraged by an uncle who had played in Pakistan. “We were curious, so with my sister Majd we tried hitting the ball,” said Ghazwa.
Indeed, Majd went on to become the best in the country until being sidelined by motherhood. “My sister was better than me. I played for fun, but Majd stayed all day in the court,” explained Ghazwa, who still plays but find that the demands of her work at the Hussein Cancer Centre Resources Department give her less time than she would like. But that didn’t stop her getting on court with Grinham and laughing her way through a fun game in a similar manner to another younger squash-playing sister Shahid, currently ranked one place below her.
Ghazwa is also trying to encourage the youngsters through her own coaching. “Give me your children. I need the small ones!” is her cry to her friends. But as the Jordan Squash Academy, which started last year, gets moving there are already formal relationships with schools so that 6 – 12 year olds are given the chance to try squash.
When asked about girls, Ghazwa says: "The Federation is dying to get them, as so far we do not have many."
The policy of building the base was very much echoed by all involved with JSF. Federation President Anas-Al Tal is a driving force in business - a member of his country’s Olympic Committee, Vice President of the Arab Squash Federation and a squash player who wants to see his country awaken fully from the slumbers of ten years or so.
His own playing started in 1970 as an occasional foray in addition to his soccer. But then he got roped into helping to form the national association in 1979, and being involved during the years of the 1980s when there was vibrancy about Jordanian squash which saw the nation as a major player in the region. For various reasons, as he puts it, there was a gap in activity until recently. But he certainly has the bit between his teeth now since taking over the helm at JSF.
“We are focusing on the children starting at six years old. We have a strategy and a policy and we want schools to make squash an activity,” says the President. "We have a very good infrastructure across Jordan but we need to find more players so that we can develop more good ones. We have contacted over 40 schools and they bring their children for coaching without paying. We also have a good new trainer to make the programme work,” he explains. The trainer in question is youthful and experienced Hatem Hassan, from Egypt, who started a month ago and will spearhead the operation.
Meanwhile, on court there was some serious squash taking place. The previous evening, over a second superb supper, national number one Alaa Harb was rashly telling Grinham that he would beat her. Wagering with his friends saw Alaa’s dinars at risk! However, when it came to the best of three encounters he went down the same way as so many players before him on WISPA Promos. He is certainly talented and the 23-year-old says he would like to join PSA “if given a chance”, but had to admit that he had lost to a player who “was very tough”.
Next up was national number two Badr Hejazi, a student of business administration. He lost too, finding that Atkinson was also too hard a nut to crack. “She has a very good volley, but I am coming back and will do better next time!” he vowed.
There was also a succession of players of all ages who had a game with the WISPA women. Indeed there was a regular queue of pint-sized juniors strung along the front row, the front of which was at the door to the court! Many autographs were given, some on playing shirts provided by sponsors Aramex, and a few on bare skin which will only endure until the youngsters are dragged into the bathroom at home!
There were certainly a satisfying number of girls watching and playing as JSF are totally behind the girls as they have been for some years. 20 year old Majd El Khateb, the spirited current top female, played Grinham and was elated by the opportunity. “It was a great honour to play the world number one and I have certainly learned a few new shots to practice,” she said, before adding: ”You are playing the boys next, beat them up good!”
Unexpectedly present were the Iraqi national squash squad who had been hosted by JSF for training in Amman for two weeks. They enjoyed the action and got on court themselves. Their Head of Delegation Falah Mahdi Alshami is President of a Federation that boasts only one facility at present, a six-court centre in Baghdad, but with support from their neighbours they are trying to improve their standard. Neither Grinham nor Atkinson swallowed the suggestion that a WISPA event has been arranged in Baghdad, but it is hoped that peace and normality will be resumed over coming years so that their dream of visitors coming to their courts will eventually be realised.
Somebody else enjoying the action was the head of the Jordanian Olympic Committee, Abdul Ghani Taballat. He is a squash enthusiast and is very supportive of JSF. Indeed, he had been heavily involved in the early years of squash in the country. While he said that he had retired from playing as he was now too old, his mention of a veterans league that may shortly be formed could just mean that he may yet make a comeback.
JSF vice president Iyad Kamal had taken a major role in arrangements, and astutely waited until the very end of proceedings before challenging Grinham, hoping that she would be tired and vulnerable. But his planning counted for nothing as on weekend court proceedings ended with him comfortably taking second place! His playing credentials as a top regional player over a decade ago were top notch though, and it was only lack of time to play in recent years that clearly blunted his challenge. His energies are now targeted more off-court, supporting his president.
“The players are not disciplined enough now,” he said. “I don’t know, maybe there is not enough support from the Federation, maybe we don’t give them enough in return. What is for sure is that the more clubs we have the better it will be. We will have ladders and leagues, and Hatem Hassan, from a technical point of view, will make key programmes for our players,” he affirmed.
Asked about the benefits of the WISPA visit, Al-Tal explained: “We felt that maybe people thought that there was no squash here, so we wanted something shiny so that the people will hear about us. As a salesman you have to enter the market in a strong way and create a ringing in their ear." The WISPA days in Amman certainly appeared to do that, and there is no doubt that Al-Tal and his team will continue to build strong foundations for the future.
From a WISPA perspective Andrew Shelley expressed delight on behalf of the party on being able to support the initiatives in a small way and to make new squash friends. “WISPA events are our professional end business, but to be able to go out annually into smaller squash communities is something we think is important. Both Turkey and Jordan have shown us that enthusiasm for our sport is completely international and we are so grateful for the opportunity to have been able to share a few days with each of them.
"I am certain that the relationships will continue,” Shelley added. He also paid tribute to WISPA’s sponsor Tom Tarantino, who has been instrumental in facilitating the promotional tour every year. “His financial support, coupled with the wonderful way in which players give their time freely each year, mixed with the hospitality where we go, makes this both possible and rewarding,” he said.
The last word was left to Atkinson. “It may be hard work, but such a brilliant interlude from events. This was my second WISPA Promo Tour and I need to hold on to the World Open title so that I get asked again!”
Grinham and Atkinson with Ghazwa Najada