Cape Town – The Growthpoint SA U15 Nationals squash championships have been deemed a resounding success.
During the tournament in Cape Town last week, the country’s young players displayed talent, resilience and fighting qualities.
The event on the all-glass court at Makers Landing at the V&A Waterfront included eight players of colour in the U15 age group (Half the entrants), demonstrating the growing inclusiveness in the game.
Cape Town’s Zayd Badroodien produced the standout performance in the boys’ division, finishing at the top of the standings despite losing his final match to Boland’s Zander Smit.
The result left Badroodien, Smit and fellow Western Province player Rupert Good level on points, with Badroodien taking the title on countback.
Western Province’s Aakiefah Taliep was another standout performer in the girls’ division, finishing runner-up after a spirited performance against Northerns No 1 seed Chanel Leppan in Saturday’s deciding match.
Taliep showed plenty of skill and determination, but Leppan held her nerve to secure a 3-1 victory and the national title.
Border’s Simi Shwababa also enjoyed an impressive tournament, finishing third after a strong performance against Northerns player Mia Bakkes in her final match.
For many of the players, the championships represented another important step in their development, while also providing an opportunity to compete against some of the country’s best young players.
Shwababa, a Grade 7 pupil at Stirling Primary, was introduced to squash at the age of four after following her parents, brother and sister into the sport.
“I started when I was around four because my parents played squash and my brother and sister played squash, so I thought I might as well join them as well,” she said.
The 13-year-old also plays hockey for Border but says squash provides a different type of challenge.
“It really challenges me. It’s not only a physical game, it’s a mental game as well, and it’s quite nice to tackle the mental side of things.”
Shwababa recently won the SA Junior Championships U15 title and already has experience of playing on glass courts, having competed at the Egyptian Open two years ago.
“A glass court is quite a different game, and I am getting a bit used to it over the years. I look forward to coming back,” she said.
Limpopo player Phethahatso Motsoeneng’s introduction to squash came through his father shortly before the Covid-19 pandemic, but it was only later that he discovered a real passion for the sport.
“I saw my dad playing squash just before Covid struck and found a coach after I started playing for fun,” he said.
“Covid hit, and I kind of grew big as I was growing up as a teenager, and I thought I would go back to squash and see if I could find something in it.
“I discovered a real love for squash, and I have goals and aspirations in the sport.”
Although he lost 3-1 to Free State’s George Hung, Motsoeneng was pleased with aspects of his performance.
“I felt I played well, but my opponent played very smartly towards the end. I felt I could have pushed a bit more, but it’s okay because I feel I am young and improving at the game all the time.”
For Taliep, squash is very much a family affair, having been introduced to the sport by her grandfather.
“I got into squash because of my grandfather. He played with me a lot and I watched him play league a lot,” she said.
“I really enjoyed watching him play, so that’s how I got involved in the game.”
Joburg Squash player Ponatshego Molefe, from Soweto, discovered the sport almost by chance and became the first squash player in his family.
“I’m a first-generation player in my family,” he said. “When my dad first saw a coach, he was carrying a golf bag, but they said golf wasn’t their main sport – squash was.
“My mom took me to training and I found it fun from the start.”
Molefe has already experienced his share of highs and lows, including an injury, but believes squash has opened important doors for him.
“I got injured, but I also got to one of the best schools (St John’s College) in the country through a scholarship, so it was possibly one of the best things that could happen in my life.”
Having recently returned from a 26-day camp without playing squash, Molefe was simply determined to make the most of his opportunity.
“I will just do my best and hopefully I can do well.”
With players such as Shwababa, Taliep, Motsoeneng and Molefe already showing the passion and determination needed to progress, the future of South African junior squash appears to be in good hands.
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