The Sunday Mail
A lack of mental strength is the reason behind Zimbabwean players’ poor showing at the recent World Junior Squash Championships in Poland, is coach Ahmed Hassan diagnosis.
Six of the country’s finest junior players – Callum Lawton, Luke Mannion, Ethan Alfalfa Porter, Nicolas Joughlin, Kuzivakwashe Madunge and Carley Barton – took part in the global competition which ended last Wednesday in Bielsko-Biala.
However, the results were not pleasing as they all bowed out in the first round and dismally lost in the men’s team event.
Hassan reckons it all has to do with the state of the mind.
“The guys played quite well in terms of application of their skills, (but) sadly we were lacking a little on the mental side of the game,” Hassan told The Sunday Mail Sport from Poland last week.
“It has been a bit tough on our players,” continued Hassan. “But thankfully they are looking at it positively and have already started planning on how to go forward.”
For 16-year-old Porter, the Polish disappointment has fuelled his desire to succeed. “It was an eye-opening experience.
I feel pumped up to train harder for the worlds next year … the exposure only makes me love the game more,” said the St George’s pupil.
Arundel pupil Madunge appreciates the hard work she has to put into her game before she can dream of upstaging some of the best junior squash players in the world.
“It’s been a great experience,” said the 18-year old. “Getting to play and watch some of the top players gives you an idea of where you are with your game and what you need to do in order to take it to the world class level.
“Clearly I still have a long way to go before getting to the level of some of the players I saw here. The trick is to come back home and work even harder.”
