Squash
Jamaica’s top male players will contest the 2017 World Men’s Team Squash Championships scheduled for November 27 to December 3 in Marseilles, France. This is the first time a Jamaican squad will compete in the prestigious tournament.
The Jamaican team will be headlined by eight-time All Jamaica and Caribbean Champion, Chris Binnie and Jamaica’s number two ranked player, Lewis Walters. Both Binnie and Walters are expected to provide the firepower up front, as experienced competitors with skills honed on the Professional Squash Association circuit.
Jamaica’s number three ranked player, Bruce Burrowes, and former All Jamaica Champion, Dane Schwier. will round out the squad. Burrowes’ determination and legendary stamina and Schwier’s experience could give the team the edge it will need to have a good showing among the world’s best players.
Teams from 24 countries to compete
Teams from 24 nations will do battle at the week-long championship where global kingpins Egypt are favored to win. Defending champions, England will be going all out to retain their coveted title and France will also be in contention, buoyed by their home court advantage.
The grueling tournament will start with a round-robin playoff in eight groups from which the top 16 teams will progress to the knockout stage, while the remaining eight will play for positions 17-24.
Jamaica seeded 21
Jamaica, who are seeded at 21, will compete against Germany, 7, and Scotland 10 in the group stage of the competition.
“It is going to be a tough tournament because we will be up against the best teams in the world, but all things considered we have a fighting chance,” The Jamaica Squash Association’s President, Chris Hind explained.
Used to the rigors of high-level competition
“Chris Binnie and Lewis Walters compete on the professional squash association circuit so they are used to the rigors of high-level competition, and Bruce Burrowes and Dane Schwier are also familiar with the pressures of international tournaments so we’re expecting a solid showing.”
The team will travel to France from various locations on November 25 and 26. They will be accompanied by team manager Douglas Beckford and Rene Denis, who will serve as coach. The team’s participation in the tournament was partially funded by support from the Sports Development Foundation.
