ASHLEY Khalil, Guyana’s top squash player, says it was a great experience playing the sport in Jamaica as she always enjoys the playing conditions and, without a doubt, she would be happy to return if given the opportunity.

“I played the juniors championships here in Jamaica and so I have been here before,” she said after winning her first women’s singles title at the Senior Caribbean Squash Championships at the Liguanea Club in Jamaica on Tuesday .

“The Caribbean atmosphere has always been amazing — the crowd, the support from the Jamaica family is always good. I have no complaints.

“Here in Jamaica I feel like I am home and, definitely, I won’t miss any opportunity to come back here. I love it in Jamaica,” the Georgetown native told the Jamaica Observer.

Khalil has so far captured two gold medals at the 37th staging of the Senior Caribbean Squash Championships, sponsored by Wisynco through their popular brand WATA.

On Tuesday Khalil won the women’s doubles playing alongside compatriot Ashley DeGroot. They defeated the Cayman Islands pair of Jade Pitcairn and Michaela Ransbury in straight sets 11-6, 11-8.

Khalil then returned and won the women’s singles after defeating compatriot Taylor Fernandes 3-1. Khalil won 9-11, 11-5, 11-2, 11-4 to take her first senior individual title.

“I thought I played well; I fought really hard, especially in the women’s singles. I lost the first game but I was able to come back from a game down to end up winning 3-1, and I am so happy. It is my first senior title and I am happy and grateful for that. It’s all hard work and dedication.

“I am pleased with the outcome of the tournament so far. I have won two gold medals now in the women’s doubles and the singles, and we have the team events coming up and hopefully I can win another gold there,” the 29-year-old said.

Khalil shared how she got into the sport.

“I actually started out playing badminton first because my dad used to play the sport. Some of my friends, my dad’s friend’s children, were playing squash and they invited us and we went — and I fell in love with the game.

“I have been playing squash since I was eight years old and have never stopped playing since. I made my first junior national at 11 years old and since then I have played on the national team, whether it is at the junior or senior level.

“I won [my] first national women’s singles in 2016 and I have two national titles now. I have two junior Caribbean titles and one senior Caribbean title in the women’s singles so I can say that I am pleased with how my career has progressed.

“I have no regrets choosing this sport and I am happy,” she said.