Potgieter not coming to defend squash title

LAST year’s winner of the Safeguard Zimbabwe Squash Open Championship Christo Potgieter of South Africa will not be coming to defend his men’s title next month after he was chosen to represent the neighbouring country in an international competition.

Matabeleland Squash Association organising committee secretary Melody Mwete indicated that Potgieter and his countryman Jimmy Schlebusch whom he defeated 3-1 in last year’s final are not coming for the Zimbabwe Open Squash Championship because of international duties. This year’s tournament will be held from 3 to 6 August at Suburbs Squash Club in Bulawayo.

With registration closing tomorrow, Mwete said the process has been slow with only Zambian seasoned female player Sharon Chimfwembe the only big name to show an intention to participate.

“Sharon from Zambia has shown an interest in coming. Christo and Jimmy have been selected to represent SA in a tournament overseas so they won’t be coming. No word from any of the top players as yet,’’ Mwete said.

Potgieter and Schlebusch also won the doubles title last year with a 3-0 triumph over the local pairing of Neil Nesbitt and Mike Burns. The victory by the South Africans ended Burns and Nesbitt’s fine run which saw the two veterans being crowned doubles champions from 2004 when the tournament was revived by the Matabeleland Squash Association.

Zoe Hall of Ireland won the women’s final with victory over local girl Yvonne Mubure while Zambian Freddy Chishimba defeated Zimbabwean Peter Cunningham in the veterans final. Minister of Sport and Recreation, Makhosini Hlongwane graced last year’s tournament where he presented prizes to the winners.

On whether they will strictly stick to tomorrow as the deadline for registration, Mwete pointed out that late entries are accepted at the discretion of the organising committee on a case by case basis.

Prizes remain the same as in previous years, with $1 000 in store for the men’s winner and $750 for the women’s champion. The doubles prize money is $500 and $300 and will go to the best veteran.