Jamaica Defence Force (JDF) captain Major Jemel Sterling is brimming with confidence about his team’s chances of capturing the KPMG Squash League title after they started their campaign with a 3-0 sweep of the Juniors.
JDF asserted their authority in the first-round encounter at the Liguanea Club in Kingston, as Orville Bennett secured a straight-sets win over Hinal Lohana (21/19, 21/17, 21/18), while Derrian Barrant edged Ryan Foreman in an intense four-set battle that ended 13/21, 21/15, 21/20, and 21/20.
Meanwhile, Sterling benefited from a walkover, as he was awarded an automatic 3-0 victory over Krish Khemlani, who did not show up for the match.
Reflecting on the win, Sterling expressed optimism about JDF’s prospects of going the distance in the competition.
“We always look forward to the KPMG League. It’s a tournament that tests both physical fitness and squash competence, as we get to compete against some of Jamaica's best players. The handicap system also levels the playing field, making for great competition,” Sterling said.
“We expect to go all the way. We’ve been to the finals before, and we’re giving it our best to win this year,” he added.
Beyond competition, Sterling highlighted JDF’s commitment to showcasing versatility in sports beyond traditional military activities.
“We want to show that the JDF isn’t just about military sports. We can be involved in other disciplines like squash, which highlights our adaptability and allows us to connect with the nation through sport and outreach programs,” he said.
Despite their 3-0 defeat to Blown in last year’s final, Sterling remains unfazed, eager for another shot at the title.
“We’ll continue training and look forward to facing them again. It was a closely contested match last time, and with the right preparation, I’m sure we can win this time around,” he declared.
Meanwhile, in other first-round results, Swift Swingers outclassed Army Squashers 3-0, while Boast Busters secured a similar scoreline against KPMG Squash Rascals. One match—Premium Reserve vs. Avengers—was postponed and will be played at a later date.
The 16-team league continues on Tuesday, March 4, with the next round of matches set to take place at the Liguanea Club and the University of the West Indies (UWI) Senior Common Room at 6:00 pm.