The team segment of the ENet Senior Caribbean Squash Championship officially opened on Wednesday night in Georgetown, with host nation Guyana aiming for a historic fifth consecutive overall title.
The championships, initially slated for Jamaica, were relocated following Hurricane Melissa’s devastating impact.
President Dr. Irfaan Ali officially declared the tournament open at the Royal International Hotel, using the platform to underscore Caribbean solidarity by announcing a US$25,000 pledge to Jamaica’s recovery efforts.
Before the tournament, the Guyana Squash Association (GSA) announced that any surplus would be donated to relief efforts and the President’s pledge will be added to this sum.
“We are all part of one family in this region,” President Ali affirmed, tying the financial support directly to the spirit of collaboration embedded in the Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA).
The President, who recently visited Jamaica, noted the devastating impact of the Hurricane and emphasised that aid—which includes commitments to repair 200 roofs, a major school, and a police station— has already been given by Guyana and it highlights the region’s shared responsibility as Jamaica rebuilds from the recent devastation.
Addressing the assembled athletes from eight competing nations, President Ali charged them to perform with distinction.
“Give your best; every game you play, you will be viewed by younger athletes, who see you as their future,” he stated. “Let this championship be the one that creates history for you. Let it elevate you. And above all, let it strengthen the Caribbean family gathered here tonight.”
President Ali praised the GSA for stepping in to host the event on short notice, calling the association “extraordinary in many ways” with “unbeatable leadership and a culture built on pride, partnership and results.”
He added that Guyana’s significant national investments in facilities and talent development have positioned the nation as the premier sporting destination in the Americas, noting that “Sports is a major component of the orange economy.”
The “Orange Economy,” also known as the creative economy, refers to industries that use creativity, knowledge, and intellectual property to generate goods and services.
It encompasses creative sectors such as arts, media, design, fashion, music, film, and gaming, where individual creativity is a primary driver of economic value.
The GSA was widely applauded for its organisational strength in hosting an event of this magnitude under challenging circumstances.
Cristy Campbell, Vice-President of the Guyana Olympic Association, applauded GSA for its ability to “host an event of this magnitude on such notice and execute brilliantly.”
David Fernandes, who serves as both President of the GSA and CASA, expressed his satisfaction with the launch of the event. “Seeing these championships come alive is like winning a hard-earned match,” he said.
The association’s lead corporate sponsor, ENet, also highlighted the event’s unifying power. Robert Hiscock, Head of Mobile Networks at ENet, stated: “CASA reminds us how powerful sport can be in bringing people together, and Guyana’s squash is a shining example.”
ExxonMobil Guyana’s Socio-Economic Manager, Launa Carson, added that the “success of the sport is linked to the union of the association as they pull together to achieve the objectives.”
The team championships, running from November 26-29, feature teams from Guyana, Barbados, Bermuda, Jamaica, the Cayman Islands, the Dominican Republic, the British Virgin Islands, and Trinidad and Tobago. The majority of the matches are being held at the National Racquet Centre.
Guyana is seeking to win its fifth consecutive overall title in the team segment, but faces strong competition from Barbados, whose players recently swept the individual men’s and women’s titles.
With hosts Dominican Republic, Guyana, and Barbados already qualified for the Central American and Caribbean (CAC) Games, the team championship serves as a critical battleground for the other competing nations vying for the two remaining allocated Caribbean spots.
The post President Ali opens Senior Caribbean Squash Championships with US$25,000 pledge for Jamaica appeared first on News Room Guyana.
