Battling at the pyramids

By Eman Abdel-Moet

Scotsman Nicol has his sights fixed on Al-Ahram's title in a bid to collect more points and maintain his top ranking. The same holds true for Khan, now ranked no. 2 in the world. The Pakistani would like nothing better than to recapture the top spot at Nicol's expense. Third-ranked Jonathan Power from Canada will battle anyone standing in his way to the title. Egypt's Ahmed Barada, currently seventh in the world, is praying that the energising cheers from his adoring fans will boost his performance.

World no. 4 Australian Rodney Eyles seems to be haunted by the 'Pharaohs curse' in every Al-Ahram tournament. Every draw has pitted Eyles against Barada and every time Eyles has lost. Egypt's Amir Wagih, no. 20 in the world, and Eyles agreed to hold an exhibition match a day before the championship begins in the hope that it would break the spell.

Says Wagih, who usually reaches round 32 by the skin of his teeth, "The first match for me in Egypt puts a lot of pressure on me. I feel I have to rise up to my fans' expectations and that weighs heavily on me. It's scary. But playing an exhibition match a day before the tournament with someone like Eyles will give me a lot of confidence, regardless of who wins."

Wagih has hundreds of fans in Egypt, coaching youngsters who see in him their ideal international player. Every move he makes on court is a lesson in itself. Perhaps because he is conscientious about himself when he plays in Egypt, Wagih is always an early casualty in the Al-Ahram championship, which ends 3 October. "Hopefully, this year I can make it to the quarter-finals," he said.

Although considered old at 31, Wagih is determined to make it to the top 16 despite suffering from back spasms and an arm injury sustained during the Berlin Open in the summer. He has admitted to being only 70 per cent fit.

Barring the unforeseen, Nicol, Khan, Power and Barada should reach the semi-finals. Simon Parke, seeded fifth and Alex Gough of Wales, ranked sixth, could pull off a surprise victory.

One Egyptian player to keep an eye on is Amr Shabana, who may very well be the next Ahmed Barada, if he can take better care of his health and diet. Only 19, Shabana is a natural and keeps his temper under control.

Another champion in the making is Wael Hatem who took second place in the World Junior Championships. But Hatem may not make it to round 16 in the Al-Ahram tourney, for this is the first time he goes up against the big guys of the sport.

Omar El-Brollosy, Mohamed Medhat Morsi, Ahmed Faizy, and Karim El-Mistikawi are experienced Egyptian players who put their education before their squash. Their rankings plummeted after that decision and a further decline is probable. Juniors like Mohamed Abbas and Karim Darwish deserve a lot of encouragement regardless of the end results.