Harinder Pal Sandhu
of India and Liu Tsz-Ling from Hong Kong claimed the gold medals
in the inaugural Squash championships in the Asian Beach Games,
which were staged on a spectacular all-glass showcourt erected on
Karon Beach in Phuket, Thailand.
With
entries from China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, Philippines, Pakistan,
Thailand, Iran and Qatar, Squash was making its debut in the fourth
edition of the Asian Beach Games which featured 26 disciplines. Matches
were played to a special seven-point, best-of-three-game format, taking
place after sunset.
Top
seed Sandhu, the recently-crowned Indian champion, was fully stretched
in the men's gold medal match, ultimately beating Hong Kong's second
seed Tsz Fung Yip 7-2, 5-7, 7-3.
The
women's event climaxed in an all-Hong Kong final, with No2 seed Liu
Tsz-Ling upsetting favourite Tong Tsz-Wing 7-2, 7-0 to take
gold.
World
Squash Federation President N Ramachandran
was delighted with the sport's debut in the Games: "WSF is pleased to
have squash included as a medal sport at the 4th Asian Beach Games. We
are very grateful to OCA & ANOC President Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah
and H.E. Kanokphand Chulakasem, Governor of Sports Authority of
Thailand, whose vision has made our inclusion possible.
"The
site selected was picturesque and truly showed that our sport can be
played anywhere. ASB has supported the event greatly by providing an ASB
ShowGlassCourt on the beach, which looked fantastic.
"I
personally wish to thank ASF President David Mui, ASB, WSF and all
member nations of ASF who have supported this inaugural event."
After
his gold medal triumph, Sandhu (pictured above with women's gold
medallist Liu Tsz-Ling) said: "This is a superb tournament
and am proud to win a gold medal for my country. It has been a memorable
week - I was honoured when I was selected by the IOA to carry the Indian
flag at the opening ceremony and now I am going home with a gold medal.
"The
setting-up of the squash court at the beach is special and I loved
playing here."
