KENYA SQUASH UPLIFTED BY FITZ-GERALD & CHARMAN-SMITH VISIT "One of the best things that's ever happened for Kenyan squash," is how Varun Sharma, Chairman of the Kenya Squash Rackets Association, described the three-day promotional visit by Sarah Fitz-Gerald and Linda Charman-Smith, the world No3 from Australia and world No4 from England, respectively, to the country's capital Nairobi. The Kenya tour, conceived by the Women's International Squash Players' Association, followed similar WISPA initiatives to other countries where the sport is established, but where international women's events have yet to be staged. In 1999 Fitz-Gerald led a delegation to the Czech Republic, and last year a WISPA team showed off the appeal of women's squash to audiences in Jamaica, El Salvador and Peru. "Whilst we have a thriving squash community here in Kenya, we do not have as many women and girls as we want," explained Sharma. "The WISPA trip has been a real boost. "Everyone has really enjoyed watching Sarah and Linda put our top men through their paces, and for so many of us it was a real treat to play with them and receive coaching tips. The national newspaper and television coverage will also undoubtedly encourage more Kenyans to sample our great sport. "Our next AGM is in two days' time, and I know that such is the enthusiasm generated within the entire squash community here there that everybody will want to take a more active part in the future," Sharma added. "Thank you WISPA!" Kenya boasts some 200 courts throughout the country, based mainly in the capital Nairobi, the coastal town of Mombassa, and Kisumi in the province of Nyanza, some 500 kilometres north west of Nairobi. Without a single public court, the country's squash stars of the future will inevitably hail exclusively from member clubs like the Nairobi Club and Parklands Club, visited by the WISPA delegation on the first two days in Nairobi. "Our country is famous for its long-distance athletes, but these sports stars' overheads are almost negligible," said KSRA committee member Anish Harania. "By comparison, squash can be expensive for youngsters - who need to find both equipment and a club to play at. We're fortunate that many international schools here have their own courts - including the Nairobi Academy which boasts four courts and often up to 50% of the youngsters who compete in our junior events." The KSRA hosts a full calendar of events throughout the year - from national junior competitions at U-10 through to U-19, to senior events including the Coast Open in Mombassa and the three events which make up the Safari circuit, the Kenya Open, Parklands Open and Nairobi Open. In the future, it is hoped that the circuit will not only feature women's events, but additional tournaments in the neighbouring 'Safari' countries - Uganda and Tanzania. Anish Harania and Parklands club captain Gekuo Ndirangu also organise the flourishing Kenya club league - featuring 50 four-man teams from 20 clubs in 10 divisions. Following the WISPA visit, Gekuo looks forward to next season's league. "When I next play a local player, I'm going to be much more disciplined on court - not going for winners at every opportunity. "We learned a number of lessons from Sarah and Linda's matches - both against each other and against us - and we were able to put these lessons into practice at a training session the following day," explained Ndirangu. "When we play against top men when they visit our country, they beat us, but we don't learn anything. With Sarah and Linda, they also beat us, but we learn a lot." Fitz-Gerald and Charman-Smith, who are President and Chairman, respectively, of WISPA, concluded their action-packed Kenyan schedule with a visit to the Karen Country Club - a luxurious golf, tennis and squash club on the outskirts of Nairobi, on the estate formerly owned by Karen Blixen, noted author of "Out of Africa". The pair delighted the packed crowd with an evenly-contested exhibition match, before embarking upon a series of coaching clinics and further matches against the club's top team players. Keith Taylor, who coaches the club's juniors and is a team regular, said after his duel with Sarah: "How great was that - playing one of the world's top stars who has taken time out to come and visit us here in Nairobi! Two things really struck me - firstly that they are such nice and friendly girls, not 'prima donna-like' in any way, and secondly that they don't necessarily play fantastic shots, but simply straight and tight shots which are almost impossible to get back," said the overwhelmed Karen Club member. A question and answer session rounded up the visit, with enthusiasts of all ages quizzing the girls on all aspects of the professional game, including match preparation and training; traditional and point-a-rally scoring; doubles; TV coverage including the new 6% larger ball; the sport's status worldwide; rules; etc. Karen Country Club squash captain John Miners was full of praise of the WISPA duo as the club visit came to an end. "We are a small squash club, more 'social' than 'top ten', and rarely get the chance of seeing how the game is really played. We were delighted to welcome Sarah and Linda here and wished they could have stayed longer. Please come back soon," pleaded Miners. While numerous Nairobi enthusiasts revelled in Sarah and Linda's various appearances, the ambassadorial squash duo will also take home fond memories of their whistle-stop visit to the East African country, which included stopovers at the world-famous Ark in the central highlands and at the idyllic Mount Kenya Safari Club, then a two-day safari on Masai Mara where they thrilled to sights of elephants, giraffes, lions, cheetahs, rhino, hippopotamuses, water buffalo, monkeys, baboons, bongos, ostriches, zebras, etc, etc, in their natural habitat. "Our visit to Kenya was unbelievably enjoyable - everything I expected it to be," said Fitz-Gerald. "The locals were so enthusiastic, and willing to listen and learn. Linda and I were able to demonstrate women's squash to a very vocal and appreciative crowd." Linda Charman-Smith added: "We all had a magnificent time in Kenya. The safari was truly amazing, and Sarah and I found the Kenyan squash players, both young and old, very keen and enthusiastic. We hope our visit will help encourage squash to grow in this great area of the world. We'd love there to be a big WISPA event here, as we definitely want to come back."   Linda (left) and Sarah pictured outside the Karen Country Club with squash captain John Miners and ladies captain Lynette von Kaufmann.   WISPA Patron Tom Tarantino was a financial supporter of the Tour, and is pictured here with the players