Botswana Claim Historic All Africa Championship Gold
RESULTS:
All Africa Squash Championships, Windhoek, Namibia
Botswana Claim
Historic All Africa Championship Gold
Botswana
claimed a historic first title success in an international squash event when
Alister Walker beat Zambian Kelvin Ndhlovu in the Men's Individual
final of the All Africa Championships at the Wanderers Club in the
Namibia capital Windhoek.
New York-based
Walker, the world No14, was representing the country of his birth for the first
time as a senior - and had earlier led Botswana to fourth place in the team
championships.
"Coming to
Windhoek to play the All Africa Championships was a real pleasure," said
30-year-old Walker after his 11-9, 11-4, 11-2 title triumph over third seed
Ndhlovu. "It has been over 15 years since I left Botswana to pursue a
professional squash career. To come back and win the title for Botswana was an
absolute dream!
"Unfortunately
we did not medal in the team event - just missing out with fourth - but we are
bullish about winning a medal in the coming years.
"I'd like to
take the opportunity to thank TK Rabasha, the President of Botswana Squash
Rackets Association, and his committee, for the hard work and energy they have
out into squash over the last few months. Long may it continue!
"Finally I'd
like to thank my mother and father for all their backing over the last 20 years
I have played squash. Without them I'd never have achieved any of what I have
this far."
South
Africa
captured gold in the team championship after beating Zambia 2/1 in a
repeat of the 2011 final in Johannesburg.
The mixed team
was led by Siyoli Waters, the world No37 from Cape Town who went on to
clinch the other individual crown after beating Senada Haupt in the
all-South African women's final.
