The Barbados Squash Association (BSA) 2017 Sagicor National Junior Championship served off Thursday with a number of matches on court at the Marine Gardens, Hastings, Christ Church.
It was the first of what promises to be three full days of competitive squash action. This tournament comes on the heels of Alison Smith-Padmore taking over the helm as new president of the local squash association from Monty Cumberbatch who had served two years.
The other council members were also announced last week Tuesday at the 36th BSA annual general meeting with Josephine Haywood being name the vice-president, Craig Archer the honorary secretary, honorary treasurer Preston Parris, public relations officer is Katheryn Stewart while the two council members are Don Benn and Chitra Samuel.
Among the juniors competing Thursday was reigning Caribbean squash queen and Under-15 champion, Meagan Best, currently in good form and definitely the favourite in this competition especially among the girls with her closest rival being Amanda Haywood.
Haywood defeated twin sisters Jada and Jodi Smith-Padmore in the Under-19 Girls round robin for a guaranteed spot in the final where she will take on Meagan Best this Sunday.
The Uner-19 Boys semifinal matches have been decided between Chemar Burnham against overseas-based player Khamal Cumberbatch, currently on a scholarship at Avon Old Farms School in Connecticut. Meanwhile Zachary Harris and Joshua Seale will contest the other Under-19 male semifinal.
In the Under-13 Boys Division, Alex Stewart has secured his place in the semifinal and will await the eventual quarterfinal winner between Nathan King and Aidan Parris.
There are still a number of other outstanding matches to be played over the weekend with only the Under-17 Mixed final scheduled for Saturday at 4:30p.m. and all other finals on Sunday.
