The Fiji Times

Battle on for squash lovers

- By ZANZEER SINGH

THE Jack’s of Fiji-sponsored Nadi Squash Open Championsh­ip at the Nadi Sports and Social Club this weekend is expected to unearth some hidden talents.

The two-day tournament will start tomorrow evening with the finals scheduled to be played on Saturday.

Fiji women’s number one Alison Yee said squash was a minor sport in the country.

She said it was an energetic sport. “From my perspectiv­e once you start playing squash, then you don’t want to stop,” Alison said.

“Squash is a fast paced sport and builds agility, balance and good eye coordinati­on. Squash does not only challenge you mentally but physically as well. Someone once said that you have to be fit to play squash and not play squash to be fit.”

Alison is the daughter of the late Warren Yee a former Fiji champion.

Warren who passed away in 2014, represente­d Fiji in squash over two decades competing at numerous Oceania Championsh­ips and Pacific Games winning many medals. Alison said she has been playing the sport actively for the past seven years.

“My dad was a Fiji’s number one and is the only player who has won a gold medal for the country,” she said.

“I would like to thank Jack’s of Fiji for sponsoring this tournament which is the first for the year at the Nadi Sports and Social Club. Being a minor sport it is hard to reach out to sponsors to come on board because we do not get much recognitio­n. But with this Nadi Open now happening, we hope to get more sponsors in the future to hold more tournament­s. Our aim is to get new players and develop them so hopefully one day they can to represent our country.”

The Nadi Open Championsh­ip is supporting the Fiji Cancer

Society and will hand out $5 from each registrati­on fee paid to the organisati­on.

 ?? Picture: REINAL CHAND ?? Nadi Sports and Social Club’s Squash director Leilani Tokalautaw­a, left, with Fiji’s number one woman squash player Alison Yee.
Picture: REINAL CHAND Nadi Sports and Social Club’s Squash director Leilani Tokalautaw­a, left, with Fiji’s number one woman squash player Alison Yee.

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