Guyana is set to build a new squash facility to enhance the country’s ability to host future international tournaments.
The new facility, which will also have doubles courts for the first time in the country's history, will be built at the National Racquet Centre on Woolford Avenue in Georgetown and is funded by the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport at the approximate cost of G$65 million, and should be ready for usage within six to eight months.
Minister Charles Ramson Jr. made this announcement on Saturday and members of the Guyana Squash Association (GSA) and national players welcomed it with cheers after he further indicated that construction is to commence on January 9.
In detailing some of the plans, the minister revealed the building would cost approximately G$25M while the internal fittings for the courts are about G$40M.
To fast-track the process, the plan is to begin the installation of equipment at an appropriate point during construction so as not to wait until the building is finished to commence inputting the internal fittings.
Noting it is a joint effort between the National Sports Commission (NSC) and GSA, the minister firmly believes the completion of this facility will place Guyana in good standing to host Central American and Caribbean (CAC), and Pan American Championships in the near future.
“Once it is completed, we will be able to put our bids in of hosting senior games, and all of the sports we have identified as core sports, for which squash is one of them, we are looking to have the larger Championships being held here,” Ramson Jr. told the gathering.
According to Ramson Jr., the aim is to host the Senior Pan American Championships which would be a “big achievement” for Guyana and it will increase the competitive pool.
“It is important we set our targets early about what we want to do and take all of the sports and sports in general,” he lamented.
There is also the “unquantifiable factor” of inspiring the next generation to represent Guyana by being able to see top-level athletes compete in Guyana, and ideally, create a winning culture.
Additionally, Director of Sport, Steve Ninvalle, who had touted the construction of the courts in July as Guyana prepared to host the Junior Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Championships, noted its importance that infrastructural development is vital to support the developing Sport Academies.
“This shows that we are doing exactly what we said we would do. I know we are speaking about squash but other disciplines will be able to have this sort of support from the government,” Ninvalle expressed.
Owen Verwey, GSA President, expressed similar by stating, “I am very much impressed that we have moved from the stage of speaking to now seeing implementation in a real form, that does not always happen but where we are going with the reality, is going to take us to a much higher level.”
Adorning that Guyana’s squash has done tremendously well within the Caribbean, this facility will help them make an impact at the international level, and it boosts their capacity to do more intense training.
Meanwhile, the minister said the works on the tennis court will soon be completed and construction will continue on the home for badminton and table tennis, with the foundation already being laid.
The National Racquet Centre opened in November 2011.
Suriname, Guatemala, Costa Rica register wins in League A; El Salvador also victorious in League B
Suriname, Costa Rica and Guatemala opened their League A Concacaf Nations League accounts with victories, as did El Salvador in League B as the fourth edition of the tournament got into full swing on Thursday.
All battling for Group A honours, Suriname and Guatemala topped Guyana and Martinique 3-1, while Costa Rica blanked Guadeloupe 3-0, as all three teams sit on three points, separated only by a slight goal difference.
Meanwhile, in Group A of League B, El Salvador romped to a 4-1 win over Montserrat, while Bonaire and St Vincent and the Grenadines played out a 1-1 stalemate.
Guyana vs. Suriname
Suriname’s victory away to Guyana spoiled the Golden Jaguars League A debut at the National Track and Field Centre in Leonora.
After three seasons in League B, Guyana would have hoped to start life in League A on a positive note, but it was not to be.
Djevencio van der Kust sent Suriname in front with an 18th-minute strike. However, Omari Glasgow pulled Guyana level with a 41st-minute penalty conversion for his 11th Nations League goal to extend his tally as the nation’s leading scorer in the competition.
But Guyana’s celebrations were short-lived as Jaden Montor drove home a powerful effort from an angle in the 66th to put Suriname 2-1 up.
Virgil Misidjan then sealed the win for the Dutch-speaking Caribbean island with a tidy 83rd-minute finish.
Costa Rica vs. Guadeloupe
Costa Rica were always favoured to secure three points here and they did just that on home soil at Estadio Nacional in San José.
After a goalless first half, Costa Rica’s captain Francisco Calvo led from the front with an expert header from Joel Campbell’s weighted corner kick to put his team in front in the 50th minute.
Ariel Lassiter doubled the lead in the 77th when he tucked home a right-footer from close range.
Warren Madrigal added another in 81st to cap the win.
Guatemala vs. Martinique
Guatemala extended their all-time unbeaten record at home to eight matches as they bettered Martinique in a first-ever meeting between the two at Estadio Doroteo Guamuch Flores.
Rubio Rubin fired home from Oscar Santis’ cross to give Guatemala a 3rd-minute lead.
After keeping Guatemala at bay thanks to goalkeeper Yannis Clementia, who came up big to deny Rubin and Alejandro Galindo in the 10th and 22nd minutes, respectively, Martinique pulled level in the 51st when Kevin Appin headed home.
However, Guatemala regained the lead from the penalty spot when Jose Pinto converted in the 61st.
Martinique should have been back on level terms in the 72nd, but Brighton Labeau’s penalty kick was saved by Guatemala’s custodian Nicholas Hagen.
That allowed Guatemala to capitalise as Jose Martinez fired home in the 90+5 to secure all three points.
Group A action will resume on Monday, beginning with Guadeloupe against Suriname and Martinique against Guyana. A Central American clash will conclude the day’s play as Guatemala hosts Costa Rica.
Over in League B, El Salvador will be aiming to consolidate their lead atop the group when they take on Bonaire on Sunday, while St Vincent and the Grenadines play Montserrat.
Julian Morrison's attorneys seek recusal of anti-doping panel chair over conflict of interest concerns
Attorneys representing Jamaican squash player Julian Morrison have filed a formal application requesting that Catherine Minto, Chair of the Independent Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel, recuse herself from the ongoing hearing concerning an alleged anti-doping violation. The application, filed by Dr. Emir Crowne, Mr. Matthew Gayle, and Mr. Sayeed Bernard, on Monday, September 2, argues that Minto’s prior extensive working relationship with Kings Counsel Ian Wilkinson, who is representing the Jamaica Anti-Doping Commission (JADCO) in the matter, presents a potential conflict of interest.
The legal team’s concerns are rooted in the principle of impartiality, as outlined in WADA’s International Standard for Results Management. This standard mandates that members of hearing panels must be free from any actual or potential conflicts of interest to ensure a fair and unbiased adjudication process.
According to the standard, “Upon appointment to a hearing panel, each hearing panel member shall sign a declaration that there are no facts or circumstances known to him/her which might call into question their impartiality in the eyes of any of the parties, other than any circumstances disclosed in the declaration…”
Morrison's legal team discovered on August 30, 2024, that Minto had previously served as co-counsel with Wilkinson in several cases, some of which spanned nearly a decade and culminated in an appeal to the Privy Council. Despite the significant duration and nature of this professional relationship, it was not disclosed to Morrison or his representatives at the outset of the hearing. They argue that this omission compromises the perceived impartiality of the Chair and raises questions about the fairness of the proceedings.
Matthew Gayle, one of Morrison’s attorneys, emphasized the seriousness of the situation: “Given that the panel has considered the issue of recusal, substantively for a significant period of time, this ought to have been a matter that was disclosed to the parties so the athlete has no way of knowing but for information in the public domain. This should have been disclosed by the Chair herself and to the parties and give the athlete an opportunity to consider whether or not he wants to raise an objection, and in the circumstances where no disclosure has taken place it does raise a very serious question as to why,” he told Sportsmax.TV.
The application highlights multiple cases, including ones from 2014, 2016, and 2020, where Minto and Wilkinson worked closely together. Morrison’s legal team contends that this omission violates the ethical guidelines that require transparency and impartiality from those presiding over such hearings.
In April, Morrison was provisionally suspended by JADCO after testing positive for trace amounts of the banned anabolic agent Boldenone. Since then, he has been eagerly awaiting the chance to clear his name. His legal team has argued that Morrison unknowingly ingested the substance and is determined to prove his innocence.
The attorneys have requested that Minto either voluntarily recuse herself and be replaced by an alternate who has no recent or extensive professional ties to JADCO's counsel, or that the application for her recusal be decided by other members of the Independent Anti-Doping Disciplinary Panel who are free from similar conflicts.
Morrison’s legal team stressed that this application was not made lightly, acknowledging that it could delay the proceedings. However, they assert that the integrity of the hearing and the athlete’s right to a fair trial must take precedence.
The outcome of this recusal application could significantly impact the course of the hearing, as both parties await a decision that will determine the next steps in this high-stakes case. Morrison remains resolute in his fight to prove his innocence and is hopeful that he will be granted a fair opportunity to do so.
Ashley Khalil celebrates triple gold at Caribbean Squash Championships in Guyana
Guyana’s squash sensation, Ashley Khalil, is celebrating an extraordinary achievement after winning three gold medals at the 2024 ENet Senior Caribbean Squash Championships, held in her home country from August 18-24. Khalil’s remarkable performance highlighted her dominance in the sport as she claimed top honors in the Women’s Doubles, Women’s Team, and Overall Team events.
Expressing her joy and gratitude on social media, Khalil shared her excitement about the triple success. “I’m thrilled to share that the 2024 ENet Senior Caribbean Squash Championships have concluded, and I’m honoured to have won three Gold Medals!” she wrote, celebrating her victories in front of her home crowd.
Khalil, who has become a household name in Caribbean squash, gave special thanks to her doubles partner and sister, Ashley deGroot-Khalil, with whom she secured a third consecutive gold in the Women’s Doubles event. The duo's synergy on the court has made them a formidable team, and their latest triumph solidified their status as the best in the region.
“I’m also grateful to my amazing teammates—Mary Fung-a-Fat, Larissa Wiltshire, Akeila Wiltshire, and Kirsten Gomes—and the entire Guyana contingent,” Khalil continued. Their collective efforts ensured that Guyana stood out as the top team in the tournament, bringing home the Overall Team gold as well.
The championships were not just a personal triumph for Khalil but also a proud moment for Guyana. She took the opportunity to acknowledge the support that made it all possible, giving a “huge shoutout” to the event’s sponsors—ENet, Discover Guyana, ExxonMobil Guyana, KFC Guyana, and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Sport—as well as the dedicated physiotherapists and fans who cheered them on.
Beyond the medals, Khalil emphasized the importance of the relationships she has built through the sport, particularly with her fellow competitors. “It’s always a joy to reconnect with my CASA friends, who have truly become like family over the years. The camaraderie and support within our community make this tournament even more special,” she said, highlighting the unique bond shared among athletes in the Caribbean Squash Association.
As Ashley Khalil basks in the glory of her latest achievements, she looks ahead to even more victories on the horizon, with her eyes set on further cementing her legacy in Caribbean squash.
“Here’s to celebrating this achievement and looking forward to even more victories ahead,” she concluded, with love and pride for her country, Guyana.
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