After becoming one of the top 100 squash players in the world last year, Chris Binnie is now focused on reaching the top 50.

Jamaica’s top-ranked squash player, Binnie, improved his ranking to 89 in the Professional Squash Association (PSA) rating of the world’s best players as of April 1 from 93 last month. This follows the signing of a sponsorship agreement with JN Fund Managers Limited (JNFM) in March and the change to a new coach in January.

“This sponsorship allows me to go to more tournaments and select ones in Europe and Asia,” he said. Based in Connecticut in the United States of America, he coaches at Trinity College in Hartford, and has been limited to playing matches mainly in North America.

“I need to take on the best players in the most competitive tournaments globally, if I am to improve,” the 27-year-old Binnie stated, noting that “it requires funding to get to the matches and maintain myself while competing”.

The six-time Jamaican and Caribbean men’s squash champion has come a long way since April of 2012 when he was ranked 389 in the Professional Squash Association (PSA) ranking of the world’s best players. He progressed to a ranking of 131 by October 2013, and in November last year attained the rank of 93.

But to join the squash elite, he has to become one of the top 50 players, to be able to travel the world competing in the main events.

“My goal is to reach that level by December,” he said. “I believe I can do it.”

In addition to the new sponsorship support, Binnie’s optimism is also based on the success he is having with his new coach, Australian Rodney Martin, a former winner of the World Open Squash Championship who once ranked number two in the world. Along with three other training partners, he has been going through a tough training programme to improve his overall match preparedness, with his new coach.

Thanking JNFM for their assistance in his new programme, Binnie said: “This is a big opportunity for me.”

Brando Hayden, general manager of JN Fund Managers, said: “We admire what Chris Binnie has achieved for himself, Jamaica and the Caribbean. He has invested his time and talent to be one of the world’s best.”

Hayden pointed out that “squash is a growing sport, offering global scholarships and other opportunities to young players. Chris’s success continues to highlight these opportunities for young Jamaicans”.

The squash programme at the University of Technology is noteworthy for the players who have emerged from that facility. Binnie himself launched the Jamaica Squash Association’s Grassroots Clinic to students of Papine High School and New Providence Primary School on March 20.

“It is uplifting to see the younger generation of champions who are emerging here, based on the effort made to take the sport into communities across the island.” Hayden stated. “We want to help Chris fulfil his dreams. His success will pave the way for others.”