The Playfair/Federal Bookmakers Barbados Squash Open gets under way on Monday June 19, 2006 and several top players from the Caribbean, as well as England and France, are flying into Barbados to take their chances at overcoming reigning National Squash Champions, Karen Meakins and Shawn Simpson.
Amongst the overseas entrants already confirmed are Victoria Lust, the current British Under-17 Closed Champion, and Caymanian Chantelle Day, the defending Caribbean Under-19 Champion, who will be leading the overseas challenge in the Ladies draw against six time national ladies? champion, Karen Meakins. In the Men’s competition, Shawn Badrinath of Guyana, the #2 ranked player in the Caribbean and winner of the last four Barbados Open tournaments, and last year?s beaten finalist, Steve Smith of Jamaica, will compete against local players, including three time national Men’s champion, Shawn Simpson. Local favourite, Gavin Cumberbatch, will also be seeking revenge against Simpson after losing to him in a marathon match in the final of the recently concluded Barbados National Squash Championships.
The Barbados Open, which is one of the biggest events on the local squash calendar, is an annual competition that will be played at the Barbados Squash Club, Marine Gardens, Hastings, from Monday June 19th through Saturday June 24th 2006. Weekday matches will begin at 5.45 p.m., while play will commence on Saturday at 1.00 p.m. Admission to the Barbados Squash Club is free and spectators are encouraged to come out and support the local players. Entries will close on this Wednesday, June 7th at 5:00 p.m at which time the tournament draw and seedings will be published.
Sonia Perkins and Karen Meakins, the captain and coach of the Barbados Ladies Squash Team both expressed sincere appreciation to Playfair Ltd. and Federal Bookmakers Ltd. for the sponsorship of this prestigious tournament. Miss Perkins also praised Dr. Sammy Haloute and Mr. Elias Haloute for their continued support which will greatly assist the development of squash in Barbados.
In the attached photo, National Ladies Squash Champion, Karen Meakins (left) accepts the sponsorship cheques from representatives from Federal Bookmakers Ltd. (centre) and Playfair Ltd. (right) on behalf of the Barbados Squash Rackets Association.
