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Saudi International Squash Tournament 2009

Posted by NidalM on Dec 23rd, 2009 | 11 comments

Did you know this was happening? I didn’t. But apparently the world’s best squash players were in Saudi Arabia last week, duking it out for the top spot in the squash rankings. Only reason I found out about it was because of a friend, Umar Aziz, who’s a friend, an a pretty decent squash player himself.

In all honesty, I didn’t know much about squash starting off the week. In fact, I’ll admit being one of those people who knew the players and not the game itself (ahem.. women?). Particularly because the sport, for the past two decades or so, has been dominated by Pakistanis. The names of Jahangir and Jansher Khan are still legendary in the world of squash.

Of course, that era is all but over. Seemingly gone south with Pakistan’s political fortunes. But I’m glad to report, that the sport is still dominated by brown people. For we are the superior race (Heil Gandi!). While Pakistan’s current offerings, Amir Atlas Khan (nephew of Jansher) and Farhan Mahboob, failed to make too much of a dent, it was the Egyptians who stole the show!

Yes, I understand that was a totally politically incorrect summary of a squash tournament. But let’s be honest here, you’re here for the lols and the pics

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The glass squash court where the games were played. Not only do they allow spectators to view the game from all sides, the strip of glass in the front of the court allows photographers to get a full view of the court!

Farhan Mahboob, representing Pakistan. Pardon the observation, but this guy was amazingly flexible! As a pre-requisite, squash is also one of the most stamina demanding sports in the world. Stamina and flexibility also help in 'other' aspects of life. Can you guess? ;P

Adrian Grant playing the heartbreaking match (for me!) where he would knock out Farhan Mahboob.

Teehee! Funny moment. Adrian and Farhan have committed the unforgivable faux pas of wearing the same outfit to a squash game. Someone call the fashion police.

Farhan gloating over his downed opponent after slashing his throat with a squash racquet, as Adrian begs for mercy. For the record, I might not have a complete grasp on the rules of squash, so my commentary might be slightly off.

Nick Mathew. This man would make it to the finals and face off against Ramy Ashour. Wow he looks into it.

His opponent, and fellow Englishman, James Willstrop. Now this is an observation from an outsider about squash players. White players play very conventional squash. No insane moves, just good squash, looking for openings. Those from the 'brown' countries tend to play riskier games.

Another moment of insanity. David Palmer goes for a quick spank in the match against Stewart Boswell

One of Egypt's contributions to the Squash cup, Mohamed El Sherbagy was an absolute delight to shoot. He was also and really nice guy! Oh and he won.

His opponent, Peter Barker, put on a great show as well, making this one of the more fun games to watch!

Eyes on the Ball! Now right after the ball was hit by any of the squash players, it would come hit the glass wall right front of the photographers. This cause much involuntary flinching. I imagine a hit from a squash ball would sting. Much like a wet towel whipped at you in the locker.

Ramy Ashour, the favorite to win the tournament (who did eventually WIN the tournament : D). It was amazing how he got the crowd going.

Ramy's opponent, the Englishman Alister Walker. It turns out Alister is from Botswana, a country I never thought I'd mention on my blog.

I don't know about squash, but I think that move is only allowed in Rugby. Somebody give this man a red card.

I think I've seen Hip-Hop dancers do that move.

SHIIIIIIIIIIIII- ;P Did I mention Ramy won? : D

Tags: egypt, pakistan, sports, squash

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http://www.chezchiara.com/ Chiara

How did you manage 2 years on a campus in Michigan and not learn to play squash? Even I learned to play squash and I was permanently in the pool if in a sports facility in uni. Oh, if only all squash courts had glass walls, I would have played more that 5 times in my life. The usual court has white walls on all sides and a glass door, or sometimes the wall with the door is glass. Running around a white windowless cell ruining one's knees–not appealing. However I must say that one of my mentors was a squash champion, and also brown–not of the superior Pakistani brownness, but still brown (Afro-Caribbean). Very good looking, excellent athlete, but as a person,… a bit complicated shall we say. That was my second and last attempt to join the uni craze for squash. He was btw and more to the topic of the post a great believer in Pakistani superiority in all things squash (the game, not the beverage). LOL
http://www.nidalm.com/blog/ NidalM

Easy, I stayed off the courts and in the pool Now if a pool had glass walls, we'd be TALKING. Of course it would be weird to see people hanging outside the pool staring at the ermm, swimmers…

I actually did spend a lot of time back in highschool playing raquetball. Even more dreadful windowless cell that is, since even the ceiling and the entire back wall is a valid play area. I wasn't particularly good, despite my inherent brown-ness. Guess I should've picked squash

Ah I wish the time of Jahangir and Jansher was back, but it looks like the Egyptians will be running the show for a while now.
http://www.chezchiara.com/ Chiara

At one point even the Canadian squash champion was Pakistani, or at least a Pakistani Canadian with the requisite brownness. My Dad played European handball for years–hmmm bad knees, handball, worse knees…Racqetball has a bigger racquet but otherwise, yes, white cell territory.

Swimming pools with glass walls, YES! A synchronized swimmer's dream– or nightmare, depending on the coach's/judge's choice of critiquing. position. On the other hand, spectators, hmmmm… Maybe the football guys would agree to share more of the uni athletic budget in the interest of…, of…, of sportsmanship! LOL
http://www.chezchiara.com/ Chiara

PS Oh, I just remembered! I did swim in a pool with a glass wall, during a training weekend for Phys Ed teachers in France, where I was pretending to be more than just a volunteer one. It was a great coaching tool, and the coach had a great deal of fun seeing how weird a combination he could make up and I could still do a length of it (L leg whip kick, right leg flutter kick, L arm sculling, R arm breast stroke). Poor man, teaching swimming to a bunch of volleyball, basketball, etc players, he was quite shocked to have a swimmer in the group! LOL
http://www.interruptingmydreams.wordpress.com/ Rabia

Great photos! I'll admit that I don't know much about squash besides my knowledge of the Khan dynasty (sounds like something you would hear when talking about Bollywood ;P).

Ramy Ashour is pretty good-looking. Hook a sister up, yo!
nabblogger

That last photo is EPIC.
http://www.flickr.com/aqrat qurratA

All the photos are just.. amazing.
http://www.nidalm.com/blog/ NidalM

Haha thanks The two pakistani players in the tourney actually were related (nephews and sons) of the great Khans. I could hook THAT up if u like
http://www.nidalm.com/blog/ NidalM

Haha thanks dude. I laughed my head off when I saw it in the camera myself
http://www.chezchiara.com/ Chiara

Off topic: your Y chromosome, Saudi life knowledge. and Western life knowledge are needed for commenting on my newest post:
“The Saudi Husband of the Western Wife in Saudi–A Great Silence”
http://www.chezchiara.com/2010/01/saudi-husband…

And since I am neither genderist nor ethnicist, I really hope all will read and comment as well! LOL
http://handballwm2011.wordpress.com/ Nadja

Ich kann dir da nicht ohne weiteres zustimmen. Meine Meinung ist da eine andere. Gibt es da noch andere Infos auf anderen Internetseiten? Ich bin übrigens ein echter Stammleser von Deinem Blog, Mach einfach weiter so.