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14-Jun-04:
TIM KEEPS HIS COOL
IN A HOT SPOT
By Gareth Cox,
the People
Tim Garner has been doing his bit for international relations in
one of the world's most volatile areas.
Tim, a former World No26 and UK No6, returned from the Middle East last
week after playing exhibition games against the Iranian national team. The
games were set up through a former Loughborough University friend who now
works for HSBC bank in Iran's capital, Tehran.
With the Iraq war dominating media coverage, Garner, 34, was apprehensive
about what reception a Brit would receive.
He said: "The day before I arrived petrol bombs were being thrown at the
British embassy and an extremist was quoted as saying, 'If you cut the
heads off all the people inside they are not worth one Islamic head.'
"Obviously very strong words and I had to ring my friend to check it would
still be OK to travel."
After being reassured of his safety, Tim flew over only to be shocked, in
the nicest possible way, about his welcoming.
"I didn't feel threatened at any point," says Garner, who runs a Eventis
Sports Marketing alongside world No1 Peter Nicol.
"Everyone there was extremely welcoming, from Mr Ghasemi, President of the
Iranian Squash Federation, to all the players and spectators who came
along. They even refurbished the squash courts especially for my arrival.
"The fact an international sportsman was over there playing is a big
thing, which for obvious reasons doesn't happen very often."
The matches were played at Engelah Eslami Club - which translated means
Islamic Revolution Club - one of about only 12 courts across the entire
country. Garner played eight matches in succession - winning them all -
but it was the breaking down of barriers which left a lasting impression.
He said: "It is incredible how sport can overcome so many conflicts and
the fact that I was a sportsman meant I was welcomed with open arms."
Time with all his Iranian opponents !
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Tim with Iranian #1 Mohamed
Tim Evans (HSBC) & Tim
on the anniversary of
Ayatollah Khomeini's death
Interview for Iranian TV |
