double trouble for arab squash as aspire brothers show their strength
Second Consecutive Gold for Abdulla Tamimi; Sibling Ahmed Braves Age Jump Well
Brothers and ASPIRE Academy students Abdulla and Ahmed Tamimi were recognized for their achievements at the 19th Arab Squash Championships this week after both recorded impressive results in the international competition.
A total of 71 players from Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Sudan and took part in the prestigious tournament with ASPIRE students representing the nation in both individual and team events throughout the youth section.
At an award ceremony in Doha on Monday evening, Abdulla was presented with gold after his victory in the under-13s ensured he retained his title.
His consecutive tournament wins represent the first two Arab Championships ever won by a Qatari.
Older brother Ahmed also performed outstandingly well, retaining his fourth place finish despite the potentially intimidating move from the under-15s to under-17s age bracket.
ASPIRE Head Squash Coach and four-time World Open winner Geoff Hunt was happy with his team's performance. "I was very pleased with the boys, firstly with Abdulla for winning a second Arab championship and secondly for Ahmed to do as well as he ever has but in a higher age group.
"This is very encouraging for the future."
Abdulla is no stranger to success on the squash court, winning the Flemish Championship in Belgium and Dutch Junior Open last summer and the Austrian Junior Open in Vienna in February.
But it is his unique Arab Championship double which Hunt believes demonstrates his ability.
"It's only the second time a Qatari has won the Arab championship and it's been Abdulla twice! It shows his tenacity really, what he can achieve when he puts his mind to it.
"He's got a bit of character and tries hard in every match. He reads the game well, understands what's going on and has general all-round skill and real potential."
In the face of strong competition from the rest of the Arab world, ASPIRE's boys performed well throughout the competition.
Mohamad Masoud Al Marri made the quarterfinals of the under-19’s after a 3-0 whitewash of his opponent in the preceding round.
At under-17’s level, Khalid Al Hendawi also made the quarters; Mobarak Al Qashoti only missing out after an unfortunate draw against classmate Ahmed in the first round.
In the under-15’s, Oumar Abdulla completed a convincing 3-0 win over Lebanon's Mohamad Al Khatib, only to lose out to Kuwati finalist and second seed Hasan Taqi.
Particularly pleasing were the performances of ASPIRE freshmen Abdulla Al Mas and Faisal Masoud Hadi: both responding well in their first taste of international competition.
In the team event, ASPIRE students helped Qatar achieve second place finishes in the under-13’s and under-17’s and take home bronze in the under-19’s.
