As the global squash fraternity embarks on raising awareness for the sport, President of the Jamaica Squash Association Karen Anderson wants more women to be involved with the sport.

The World Squash Federation has designated September 17 - 24 as the week to bring additional attention to the sport and to bring about greater awareness. To commemorate the period, the Jamaican association will host two events - Wednesday, September 21 and Thursday, September 22 - at the Liguanea Club and UWI senior Common Room at Mona, respectively. “It’s all about trying to get women to come out and play, giving them some exposure to the sport,” Anderson said.

 Both events will start at 6 pm.

And with Jamaica coming off a successful staging of the Caribbean Squash Championships, Anderson believes it's time for more local women to get involved and not just as players.

“Women can play, officiate or serve as administrators in the sport,” she said. “We want as many women to feel comfortable knowing they can contribute.”

Anderson has been active in the sport ever since she was a junior player back in 1982. She now serves as a coach and president and plays in the veteran’s category.

As president, she recently accompanied Jamaica’s national team to the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England.

Anderson is not alone in her involvement in the sport of squash in Jamaica.

Some other outstanding women in the sport include Katherine Risden, the current U17 Caribbean champion, Mehar Trehan, the current U15 Caribbean champion, Sanjana Nallapati ranked third in the U17 in the Caribbean, Mia Todd ranked fifth among U19s in the Caribbean and Savannah Thomson, a former U13 Caribbean champion.

The national championship is set for November.