KPMG Squash back on court after three-year stoppage
Published:Friday | March 3, 2023 | 1:05 AMOrane Buchanan/Staff Reporter
FOLLOWING a three-year stoppage, dating back to 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the KPMG Squash League will make its return to the court following Tuesday’s launch at the Liguanea Club in Kingston.
The league, which is set to run from February 28 to April 14, will feature 16 teams and will showcase some of the country’s best talents. Tarun Handa, senior partner at title sponsor KPMG, who handed over a cheque valued at $500,000 to president of the Jamaica Squash Association Karen Anderson, said it was a ‘no-brainer’ to be part of the league, as he hopes this will not only rejuvenate the sport locally but will attract more young players to the sport.
“Squash is an under-served sport, so we chose it and made it ours, and it makes sense. We have got great partners in the Jamaica Squash Association and the Liguanea Club, and they are good ingredients for success. So we keep coming back. I am looking for a rejuvenation of interest in the game and more young people playing. Overall, the tournament exemplifies the same values KPMG does, and fair play is one of them and that’s what it’s all about,” Handa stated.
Anderson said she was elated to see the resumption of the league and explained how the new-look format will be conducted.
“The league runs for about six weeks, you really only play once a week and, if you play on Thursday, you wouldn’t have to play the following Tuesday. It’s four-person teams but only three persons play at any given time, We also have two venues which are the Liguanea Club and the UWI SCR (Senior Common Room), which is a venue we are re-introducing to the league, because, for the last few years, we have only been at Liguanea Club. We are excited, it’s at least 64 to 70 players who will be playing, and it will be exciting times when the league is on,” President Anderson stated.
Mehar Trehan, a 15-year-old national representative and participant in the 2023 squash league, believes the tournament will not only help improve her talent but will also be very competitive.
“My expectations for this tournament are definitely quite high. I want to be able to perform well while enjoying myself. I think this is a good opportunity to have a team-bonding time, especially because this is a team activity as well as just working on my own squash and on my technique,” she stated.