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Al-Ahram Weekly 6 - 12 April 2000 Issue No. 476 
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Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Al-Ahram Weekly 6 - 12 April 2000 Issue No. 476
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| Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875 |
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Egypt Region International Economy Opinion Culture Summit Features Focus Travel Living Sports Profile People Time Out Chronicles Cartoons Letters The polished ambassador
By Nashwa Abdel-TawabON 5 APRIL 1998, the day he celebrated his 25th birthday, Scotland's Peter Nicol, the new Al-Ahram Masters champion, achieved another of the squash goals he had set for himself many years before. On the Perspex court in a packed auditorium at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham, he raised his arms in triumph after having beaten the six-time defending champion Jansher Khan in straight games to become the first Briton in 25 years to win the prestigious British Open title.
Only two months earlier, Nicol had become the first Briton ever to reach No 1 in the PSA (Professional Squash Association) world rankings, deposing his long-time rival Khan, the world's No 1 for an almost unbroken period of 10 years.
A third goal -- "to become world champion" -- was achieved in significant style this year when he crushed Egypt's young squash superstar Ahmed Barada in straight games before a crowd of some 5,000 Egyptian fans surrounding the open-air court erected on the desert sands by the Great Pyramids of Giza.
The left-hander's achievements in the sport were duly recognised in the most distinctive manner in June 1999, when it was announced he had been awarded an MBE (Member of the British Empire) by Queen Elizabeth in the annual Queen's Birthday Honours. He joins a distinguished group of squash players who have been similarly recognised in Britain, including Jonah Barrington, Lisa Opie, Martine le Moignan and Susan Devoy.
Tournament commitments kept Nicol from meeting the queen at the appointed date in Buckingham Palace to receive his MBE for services to squash. He made up for the delay last month when he visited the palace with his father, Pat, and girlfriend Sally Leonard. "It was a wonderful day for everybody and the queen asked me about my career and how long I intended to play. It was great seeing Henry Cooper, who was there to be knighted, and Sue Barker (another MBE), but there were not many celebrities in the queue," commented Nicol.
But there was no time to bask in the sun. More punishing training sessions followed as Nicol stepped up his efforts to return to full fitness after collapsing in the final of the British Open in his home city in December. Nicol spent three days in an infirmary in Aberdeen after suffering from food poisoning and severe dehydration.
He returned to action in the New York Tournament of Champions three weeks ago but lost to fellow Scot Martin Heath in the semi-finals. "Martin played really well but it was obvious that I was far from fully fit," said Nicol. "I knew I had to do something about it and I have spent the past fortnight on court doing extra fitness work."
The hard work paid off with victories in the Irish Open and the Al-Ahram Masters. The next big test is the men's Grand Prix in June in London where only the best eight players are invited.
Perhaps because of his achievements Nicol, born in Inverurie, near Aberdeen, has loyal supporters here in Egypt outnumbered only by Barada's army of fans. Besides squash in Hurghada, Nicol enjoyed the warm weather, the sun, sea, fresh air and rest. He celebrated his victories by watching Scotland league soccer match which he discovered was being shown on Egyptian TV.
Needless to say, accolades for the great Scot constantly pour in. Ted Wallbutton, chief executive of the World Squash Federation (WSF): "Peter is a credit to the sport of squash, a wonderful young player and a marvellously mannered ambassador."
"We are proud to have an athlete in squash recognised in this way, particularly in Britain where the heart and soul of our sport is," John Nimick, the executive director of the Professional Squash Association (PSA), said. "Peter is an excellent international role model for our sport as we move into the new millennium."
