Binnie eager to restart squash

Secretary general of the Jamaica Squash Association (JSA) Gillian Binnie says the association is eager to obtain health and safety protocols from the Government to resume the sport locally as the inactivity caused by the coronavirus pandemic has been a major setback for the youth programmes.

Binnie said although individuals have been doing personal training, nothing has taken place in terms of organised training or competition since the pandemic hit last March and that the youngsters have been most affected.

"Everything has been put on hold since last March. Nothing has happened, we have been totally locked down and it is a very big setback.

"The kids haven't been able to do anything, even though most have been doing individual training, their motivation is down," she said.

Binnie believes that senior players are experienced and are better able to manage themselves through the pandemic. But she argued that the younger ones are still developing and need guidance.

"COVID has stopped full (national) training and we can't have follow-ups, so their development has been stagnant.

Can get approval

"Also we can't compete for ranking or anything at the moment. But we are hoping we can get approval and get things going and put on events, as at the moment it is very hard for the kids," she said.

The Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) junior championship is tentatively set for this year and Binnie says the sooner they get the approval to start the better.

The association is also in the process of seeking approval from the Government, and they hope to submit their document this week.

"We hope to get back off the ground, especially for this summer and get some events going. We have been in contact with the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Sport. We want to get approval sometime in March, so we can start officially," she said.

"There is some one-on-one training going on but it's not official. So we hope to get approval so we can start to work our way back," she added.