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WISPA AMBASSADORS WEAVE THEIR MAGIC AT KENYA'S PARKLANDS CLUB

By Howard Harding June 28. Photos by Howard Harding © 2001

The three-day women's squash promotional tour of Kenya, starring leading international players Sarah Fitz-Gerald, the world No3 from Australia, and Linda Charman-Smith, the world No4 from England, moved on to the Parklands Club in Nairobi for the second action-packed day.

The Women's International Squash Players' Association initiative, organised with the Kenya Squash Rackets Association, is the third such WISPA campaign in three years.

In 1999 Fitz-Gerald led a delegation to the Czech Republic, and last year a WISPA team showed off the appeal of women's squash to audiences in Jamaica, El Salvador and Peru.

Sarah and Linda pictured outside the Parklands club with keen young players

Parklands is the biggest squash club in Nairobi, boasting eight courts including a championship court featuring spectator capacity of more than 150. Formed in 1906, Parklands also offers hockey, soccer, rugby, a nine-hole putting green, 13 tennis courts, three snooker tables, a fully-equipped gym, a heated outdoor swimming pool - and five bars, plus a restaurant and barbecue terrace.

With publicity of Fitz-Gerald and Charman-Smith's presence in Nairobi now featured in Kenya's national news media, hordes of youngsters made tracks for the club - eager to pick up tips from the world-class pair. After coaching sessions and clinics, the WISPA ambassadors played a number of the club's top women.

Sarah beat club champion Michelle Gilardi 9-5, while Linda took on Kenya U-19 champion Zoe Gibbs. "I was very nervous, and I'm sure I would have played better if we'd been able to play another game," said the youngster after her 9-0 defeat.

"It was a great experience and I really learned a lot." Zoe takes her A-levels next year and hopes to win a place at Bath University in England to study for a Sports & Exercise degree.

Linda demonstrates the grip to nine-year-old Hussain

"It was wonderful to have Sarah and Linda here to here to show us how to play squash, rather than just hitting a ball round a court. Watching Linda and Sarah play each other gave me a real insight into what you have to aim at, and certainly opened my eyes to the standard of professional world-class women's squash," added Zoe.

As the galleries filled out with squash enthusiasts of all ages, the WISPA pair treated two of the club's top men to a workout which wholly entertained the crowd. Charman-Smith's opponent was Parklands squash captain Gekuo Ndirangu.

"That was such a great experience," said the popular Parklands player after his 9-7 9-6 loss. Ndirangu is a leading figure in Kenyan squash - though he only took up the sport five years ago in the latest stage of an impressive sporting career in which he has represented his country in cycling, hockey and basketball!

"We are very honoured to have hosted this visit by Sarah and Linda to Parklands - and I am sure their appearance here will continue to have an impact over years to come," Gekuo added.

Fitz-Gerald's clash was altogether a more serious affair - from which Prince Mugaka was looking for nothing less than victory. The Parklands coach moved to Nairobi from Zambia some two years ago, since when he has become one of Kenya's leading players.

"Sarah played pretty well in the first game and I was under pressure," said the surprised and clearly embarrassed Zambian after his 9-2 9-7 defeat.

"I handled the pressure much better in the second game, but lost concentration when I was leading 7-2. If I'd won that game I'm sure I would have beaten her. I did expect it to be tough, but I thought I would beat her. I'm not disappointed - but I will definitely beat her next time."

With another successful day in Nairobi behind them, WISPA director Andrew Shelley had every reason to be delighted with the association's tour of the East African country: "It's so satisfying to see so many people, young and not-so-young, entranced by the skills of two of the sport's top women players. Sarah and Linda are tremendous ambassadors and Kenyan squash has taken us into their hearts. We've reached out to the players and the media here and built some very strong relationships".

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