WORLD SQUASH NEWS
Squash World Mourns Colombian Loss
A car bomb explosion at a leading squash club in Colombia has resulted in
more than 20 deaths, including the club's assistant coach Fernando.
"The thoughts of the squash world are with the Colombian squash community
after a car bomb destroyed the building housing Club El Nogal," said
England's Tim Garner. "Nogal has been home to the Colombian Squash Open for
the last seven years. Since winning the inaugural event in 1996, I have been
out to Colombia almost every year and have many friends who will have been
affected by this act of terrorism.
"It is already known that Fernando, one of the assistant coaches at the club,
has been killed and many more have suffered injuries sustained by the blast.
One of these was Catalina, a young girl who attended the clinics held
alongside the PSA event and was a great talent and future champion. She is
currently in hospital and hopefully on the road to recovery. Everyone who
has ever been to South America will appreciate the warmth and hospitality
shown to the players and this was nowhere more evident than at the Nogal
Club," added Garner.
The Colombian Open was run by Angel Rodrigues - an excellent organiser who
was very popular with the PSA players.
"The Colombian Open was the most consistent PSA event in South America," said
Sheila Cooksley, Tour Director for the Professional Squash Association (PSA).
"Only last week, it confirmed its dates for 2003 (31 July - 3 August).
"We were pleased to hear that Angel and his son had got out of the club just
before the blast. Naturally our sincere sympathies go the families of the
friends and personnel at the club," Cooksley added.
Previous winners of the Colombian Open include France's Thierry Lincou,
Finland's Olli Tuominen, and England's Stephen Meads. The title is currently
in the hands of Frenchman Renan Lavigne, winner in 2001 and 2002.