JAMAICA will host the Senior Caribbean Area Squash Championship (CASA) from November 22 to 28, with eight countries set to compete at the Liguanea Club in New Kingston.

The championship was originally scheduled to be held in Jamaica last year but was moved following the devastation caused by Hurricane Melissa, which shifted the country’s focus to recovery efforts.

All six courts at the Liguanea Club will be used during the competition, which is expected to feature 375 matches. Play will begin at 9:00 am each day, with action running from 9:00 am to 9:00 pm on most days.

Tournament Chairman Gill Binnie says the participating countries are eager to return to competition after missing last year’s staging.

“I think we’re going to have a very exciting event. Because we didn’t have it last year, everybody now is geared up. They’ve missed one year, so they’ve come out fighting. All the countries are just so excited to be here, and our team here is very excited to play at home,” Binnie said.

Bermuda, Barbados, Cayman Islands, Dominican Republic, Guyana, Trinidad and Tobago, St Vincent and the Grenadines, and host Jamaica will compete.

The team competition will begin with two pools of four countries, followed by crossover matches to determine the winners.

Binnie, who has served as tournament chairman on several occasions, said staging the championship involved much more than organising the matches.

“I’m actually tournament chairman. Our TD is coming in from Guyana, but tournament chairman I have been many times before, and it’s a lot of work; you’re pulling everybody together because there are so many different facets. It’s not just the game; it’s the accommodation, it’s the transport, it’s the food, but I love doing it. It’s great fun, and we have a really good week when everybody comes here, and I see all my squash friends from many years,” she said.

She also urged Jamaicans to turn out and support the home team.

“They must come out and support our team. Our team needs support, so please come out and make a lot of noise and cheer on our players,” Binnie said.

Jamaica Squash President Karen Anderson said securing the necessary funding had been difficult, particularly as businesses continue to feel the effects of Hurricane Melissa and the challenging economic climate.

“It’s been difficult. It’s been a major challenge. I mean, Jamaica, certainly on the Central and Western part of the island, got extremely hit hard by Hurricane Melissa, and the recovery efforts have taken a little time, and companies are feeling it, so it’s been a bit of a challenge,” Anderson said.

Despite the challenges, Anderson said the championship would provide an opportunity for Jamaica’s players to compete at home, while also testing their ability to handle the added pressure.

“So we’re really looking forward to seeing how everybody plays. It’s home; there is more pressure playing at home, so you have to handle all of those emotions as well. But that’s what it’s about. That’s what competition is about. It’s about being able to perform under the highest levels of stress and pressure. And that’s what it is like playing at home so they just got to go out there and perform, and let’s make it happen,” she said.

Anderson also highlighted the opportunity for Jamaicans to experience squash, with admission to the championship free of charge.

“Well, it’s a fantastic sport. It’s free of charge; it’s free of cost to come. When people see the speed at which it runs at, it’s one of the healthiest sports out there. You really get a challenge in playing it. We call it physical chess because you’re really just trying to strategize a person and be attritional at the same time and just run until you drop down. Come out and support Team Jamaica. It’s one of the best times in the world. So make noise, bring your pot cover, bring your spoon with your pot cover, and just make a whole heap of noise. That’s what we want. We need that support,” Anderson said.

Brittany Thwaites, brand manager for Wata, said title sponsor Wisynco, was keen to support sports such as squash and provide opportunities for athletes to pursue their ambitions.

“So people talk about squash, but we feel like maybe you should talk about it more. So we want to make sure that we’re backing Jamaica’s dreams. No dream is too small, even hearing some of the players talk about their experiences and getting their kids to see them be in the sport. I’ve played sports in my life, and we just want to make sure that we’re supporting avenues for people to not only follow their dreams but also to have healthy outlets,” Thwaites said.

Wisynco will support the championship through its Wata and Legend Beer brands. Other sponsors include First Global Bank, SDF, Guardsman, Levy Cheeks, Blinds Designs, General Foods, Marco Polo, Café Blue, Best Dressed, Juici Patties, CPJ, Island Village, Tooksie’s, Select Brands and the Liguanea Club.