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 QA
Challenge EN BREF Issue FOUR
Everything you didn't know you needed to know about the QA Challenge ... |
OUPS ...
 I’m the best at doing “gaffes”. You know, the “I hate that person,” when
he is just behind you kind of situation. And I did a good one with Tania
Bailey.
Here I was, after her superb (and verrrrrry long) match against Running
Vicky, and I was amazed by how well she moved. So I started by saying “I
was really impressed by your fitness today, so obviously, although you are
slightly older than Vicky…”
And she stops me right away. “No, actually, I’m younger than Vicky, I’m
only 25, and Vicky is 27.”
Oups.
Well, I have a good excuse! I’ve heard about Tania at the top of the game
for years now, and I didn’t realise that she was 21 then! I thought she
must have got there around 25/26 like most players normally do. And I
was thinking to myself that she looks blipping good for a 30 year old
player…
So ACTUALLY, it was a compliment… |
THE LAZIEST DAY…
…of my writing days…
Yes, today, rest day, was a gift from God. Well, a gift from Qatar
Airways more precisely, as the final was postponed to Sunday (our
Monday in terms of working days) due to logistics.
When I heard about the day off, I was not amused. Well, it was forcing
me to rush back to London just after the final, instead of having the
time to write my report early the next morning and catch the lunchtime
plane…
But I have to say, I had a wonderful day today.
 From
early morning to about lunch time, the others (well, who was left
anyway), Trevor and James, the camera crew, Mike Collins, the ref, and
his partner Cheryl Holmes, Fritz the Hard Worker Borchert, went to
visit the area and take some shots (Fritz in
the Desert), while Andrew Shelley was working like a mad man,
sorting out the world of squash single handedly, and I was busy typing
out the semis reports.
And then, around 2.30, I decided to go and taste the temperature
around and inside the pool.
It was a tough job, but somebody had to do it…
 While
Mike, Fritz and James went under the sun (all mad…), we, that is
Natalie Grainger, Cheryl and myself, chose to catch up with some
gossip in the shadows.
I then left those two girls chatting about South Africa, and went for
a little swim.
It was absolutely wonderful, thank you for asking.
By the time I came back, Cheryl had decided to go for a little plunge.
Had a few strokes in the deep end of the pool, and came out.
“It’s freezing,” she said…
And then went to look for her sunglasses… And realised that she
actually plunged with them still on.
 As
I was thinking of going back in there anyway, I thought that I could
help her out, but a knight in a shining swimming suit, Sir Andrew, who
just joined us a few minutes ago, plunged into the deep to go and
fetch the precious glasses.
“Thank you Sir Galahad,” laughed Cheryl.
And off Andrew went again…
“I’d better do my emails then”…
Natalie had gone back to her room, the boys to hit some squash balls
on the lovely glass backwall courts of the hotel, Cheryl and I went on
talking about life, men, well you know, essential stuff…
After all that excitement, I went up to my room, and had a little
sleep… before starting working again…
I love Doha… |
TAKING NOTES…
Sometimes, it’s not that easy to write notes. For example, try to describe
a match between John White and James Willstrop. JW for JW. So you can go
for Jo and Ja. But when you write quickly, a and o can look the same. So
you go for Wh and Wi.
But try Natalie Grainger and Natalie Grinham for size! Same first names,
same initials, and the same start of name…
Cheers!
So, here you are, trying to write as quickly as possible, as you don’t
want to miss what’s going on on court, and you’ve got to write “Gra” has
done that, and “Gri” has missed that.
Not helping, girls, not helping…
Nat G ... or Nat G ??? |
QA
Challenge EN BREF Issue
THREE
Everything you didn't know you needed to know about the QA Challenge ... |
BLESS THE CHILD…
There are moments that you couldn’t invent… Just before going on for
her quarter final against world number one Rachael Grinham, Linda
Elriani was at the side of the glass court, sorting her bag, her
racquets, her thoughts…
Suddenly, three kids approached her, and ask “Can you play squash?”,
“Yes” she replies. “Are you any good?”. “Euh, I’m alright”….”Can we
play with your racquet???”…
By the time she found a reason to say no, like “I’m about to play, if
you break my racquet, I’ll be in trouble”, or something of the kind,
the three of them were on the glass court, fooling around, having a
great time…
Slightly worried, Linda dared a “Please be careful with the racquet…”
Thank God, Radwan Badwai Moustafa, the Athletes Affairs
Administrator, who saw the kids coming in, and didn’t see those young
players coming out, was prompter to disperse them, and gave Linda her
racquet back …
Bless... |
CROWD
COMING UP…
We had quite a good crowd for the quarters (especially compared to the
previous days anyway, which were played in front of a few aficionados
only), I would say about the same number as we had in the PSA Pakistan
Open back in December…
A very knowledgeable audience, very diverse, of all ages,
nationalities and religions. So, not thousands, but a good atmosphere,
with people supporting a very specific player, or just enjoying top
squash…
 |
INSIDE
OUT …
Here we were, Natalie Grinham, Nicol David, Mike Collins the ref and
myself, waiting for the bus to take us to the venue. It was hot
outside. Not warm, no, HOT.
“It’s funny”, noted Natalie, “because of air conditioning, when you
come to the Middle East, it’s the opposite of any other country.
Normally, you put a jacket on when you go out, and you take it off
when you go inside. Here, you take your jacket off when you’re
outside, and you put it on when you’re inside…”
Weird…
 |
QA
Challenge EN BREF Issue
TWO
Everything you didn't know you needed to know about the QA Challenge ... |
WE DON’T MISS
AN EVENT…
There is maybe not a huge crowd that came to watch the WISPA players
today, but the crowd is a “knowledgeable” one, as in the example of
Martyn and Cheryl Clarke, who have been coming to all the QSF
tournament since they arrived in Doha two years ago.
“I work for ENSO, a very big construction group, part of JAIDAH Group.
Before, I was in Abu Dhabi for eight years. There is normally not a
lot of people watching, but it’s a good crowd… We particularly enjoy
Robert Edwards' presentation of the events, we miss him!”
When I asked Martyn if he had a little message for Robert, he laughed
and said “Tell him it’s about time to get a new tailor…”
With friends like these… |
ROUND
ABOUT POLICE…
There are a lot of round-abouts in Doha, and very often you have one,
sometimes two, police cars parked there. And I was wondering why? But
today, I learnt why.
When they have a VIP car coming by, the police car just gets in the
middle of the road, and stops traffic, literally. Or they just stop
the cars on the round about, and let only one lane go through.
Who needs traffic lights?????
 |
MOBILE NO SHAME…
Like in tennis, the squash crowd is not that mobile educated, and
that's in EVERY country in the world. But today, it was quite
remarkable. One mobile user had his mobile ringing while a match was
on, didn’t take the call, but to “try and be discreet”, went all the
way up the stairs around the glass court, while his mobile was still
ringing, and quite impervious to the ref’s request, took the call and
went on talking for a good 10 minutes at the top of the stairs…
Charming…
Do you think we could get a “scramble” device at big events, to
prevent unwanted usage of that wonderful tool that is a mobile???? |
GAMAL: FOREVER
QATAR SQUASH…
“Say hello to a few friends for me in Doha”, said Robert Edwards in his
last email. And he listed a few names, with, as the pro & friend he is, a
few notes, to help me out in discovering yet another new squash loving country.
Among those names figured Gamal Rasmi, Technical Secretary of QSF, who is
in charge of so many things in Qatar…
Full portrait,
plus
Tales of Jahangir ... |
CHRISTMAS IN APRIL…
 Imagine a very posh hotel breakfast room, populated in the majority by
men, rather quiet, you know, the kind of “executive lounge” kind of
atmosphere…
And suddenly, waves and grapes of gorgeous young ladies, all more
beautiful, fit and stunning one than the other, most of them in shorts
and tee-shirts, bubbling and smiling away to each other, quite unaware
of the whirlpool of youth and brightness they bring to a room…
Like I said, Ramada’s patrons thought it was Christmas in April… |
GRAINGER:
WEIRD BREAKFAST…
OK. I know that the French eat totally different breakfast from the rest
of the world… “Cakes, cakes, and more cakes”, as Natalie Grainger noted
with perfidy while looking at my breakfast plate. And quite rightly so I
have to admit…
 But then, she had to ruin it all by praising the “marmalade & bacon” and
“jam & cheese” mixtures…
Ah.
Sorry girls, I’ll stick to my continental breakfast… |
QA
Challenge EN BREF Issue ONE
Everything you didn't know you needed to know about the QA Challenge ... |
IT MAN…
 Everywhere
I go, the first person that I’m in contact with is ALWAYS the IT man.
Well, it is a bit of logic, isn’t it? Working for a internet site, I
sort of need an internet connection…
And today, the man is called Wissam Marouf, and works for the
QSF, Qatar Squash Federation, as the “Administration” man. He gets all
the paperwork done, and knows quite a bit about computers.
He was so helpful, so efficient, I was able to work quickly, in perfect
environment, in ideal conditions.
Thanks QSF, thanks Wissam… |
A PHYSIO ON STAND-BY
 The
organisation is spotless in Qatar I must say. A shuttle service that
runs on military time, great venue, the glass court and the glass
backwall court a few feet from each other, just a corridor away, lunch
box from Fauchon, if you don’t know the brand, it’s one of the most
expensive French delicatessens on the market, soft drinks, tea and
coffee at will, and a physio-therapist ready for action at a second's
notice…
Hussein Atallah has been involved in squash since '92, and has
been working for the Qatar Olympic Sport Medicine Centre for the past
seven years.
So our girls are in safe and expert hands, I tell you…
Actually, I can feel a stiff neck coming on… |
 |
FUNNY FIGURES…
While I was writing my articles, I was amused by the fact that the
matches between Becky/Kasey & Melissa/Manuella lasted exactly 77 minutes
each. Same thing for Amelia Pittcok/Line Hansen & Engy
Kheirallah/Charlie De Rycke, 27 minutes, with Tegwen Malik/Suzie
Pierpoint lasting one little minute longer, 28 minutes.
Sorry, always find that remarkable coincidence… |
Sun 17th April:
FROM STREATHAM TO DOHA…
6am. Alarm clock. Blimey, that’s early on a good and quiet Sunday morning.
Just remind me WHY I’m doing all this???
7pm. Taxi on time. A new driver. Not as fun as my normal one, but will do
fine. Falling asleep in the car…
8pm. In Gatwick lounge. Three hours to wait before take-off. Great! Euh…
Just realised I don’t know the name of the hotel I’m going to. Allo, Mr
Magic-Steve-Cubbins? A few minutes later, I know everything I need to
know. Bless…
10.30pm. Getting on the plane. At last a known face, Stephanie Brind,
who just played the Irish, is a few seats away from me. Makes me feel
good, not lost anymore…
8pm local time. Off the plane, 28°C, my kind of weather. I follow
Stephanie, who been there so many times. So glad she’s there. In the
queue, Olga Puigdemont, the Spanish player who now lives in
Aix-en-Provence. A name I can at last put a face on…
8.30. We are waiting for the courtesy bus from the Ramada Hotel. While we
are waiting, Stephanie shows us her swimsuit. “I will get a bit of sun
this time”, she says, full of hope…
8.45. The three of us, Steph, Olga and myself hop on the bus. Suddenly, we
see a nest of players erupting from the airport, and stopping the bus:
Rachael Grinham, arriving from Cairo, Natalie Grainger,
Omenya Abdel Kawy, Annelize Naude, from Heathrow, and a poor
man, slightly worried about the “women’s only” bus he seems to have
stepped on…
9.00pm. Nice hotel. Security check, as usual. Once again, putting all my
bags in the machine, scanned, still nothing in there though… They gave me
a twin smoking room . Nope. A few minutes later, I’ve got my large bed in
a nice smelling atmosphere…
9.30pm. Meeting Natalie Grainger and Isabelle Stoehr for a stiff
tea. Well, herbal for Isa, Earl Grey for Natalie and myself. This is going
to be a WILD night again… Out of the restaurant come the players,
officials that were at the State Dinner we just missed. Mr Andrew
Shelley, the Big WISPA man, steps out and joins us, and so does
Linda Elriani.
While I catching up with Linda, I can hear Natalie G challenging Andrew to
a game of squash. “I’m going to play with my left hand, and still beat
you,” she says cheekily. “No you are not!” laughs Andrew. I’ll keep you
posted on the result…
10.00 Informal meeting with Andrew. Tells me roughly what to expect, who
he thinks I should speak to. A few names, a few titles. We talk about a
few events to come, a few gossips.
Laughing with the girls. Relaxing. I feel good. I feel like I’ve earned
the right to be here. I’m happy.
10.30. Broadband connection not working on my computer. The poor IT man
doesn’t understand, his computer is working fine. OK, not a problem, he
sets up a dial-up, the specialist will come first thing tomorrow…
11.30. Trying to have a bath. Not working. By the time I put the telephone
down with reception, the engineer is knocking at my door, and a few
minutes later, literally, I’m drowning myself in a bath of quiet warmth.
Impressive efficiency…
12.00 Sorting the 2300 messages in two languages. Blimey, it was a busy
weekend in France, Team Championship in 4 divisions…
1pm. Falling asleep I think.
2.30 am. Wide awake. OK. Looking at the TV channels available. Miracle,
TV5! The Channel in French. Yes, logical, French is one of the major
languages in the Middle East… OK, can’t go back to sleep. Might as well
work then.
4pm. Looking into the internet connection problem once again. And sort it
out. Very proud, the French woman is…
4.01pm. Reading my first piece again. Wish I could write in French. But
that will do.
4.15. Here I am, drinking a can of diet coke, watching a French program in
a Palace in Doha at 4 in the morning.
I love my life…
Framboise |
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ONLY WOMEN, AND YOU ARE GOING???
Here I was, in Kuwait, talking with one of the girls, telling her
that I was going to Qatar a few weeks later.
“I didn’t know there was a men's tournament as well,” she said,
slightly surprised.
“It’s not, it’s only a WISPA event,” I replied.
“Only women, and you are going???”
And that’s when I knew it was about time I covered WISPA only
events… |
GOING, GOING…
You
may have read or heard that I was quitting squash reporting.
This is the absolute truth.
I was quitting.
I’ve had enough of a lot of things recently. Too many problems. Too
many “insignificant pygmies”, as the DG of Pakistan called them,
that spoiled my life, and killed the joys of reporting on the best
sport in the world.
So, while I was in Bermuda, I decided to throw in the towel.
But my goodness, if I had wished for a boost, I could not have
imagined a better trick really. Since then, I have been inundated by
messages of support from all over the world, and in two languages!
And those messages have made me realise that Squashsite is useful,
and has brought a new angle to squash reporting. And that a handful,
and I mean literally, as we are talking about five people really, of
p… pygmies, shouldn’t be allowed to spoil it for the rest…
So, sorry for the few sad people that have been trying to destroy my
spirit, you failed.
Going, going… Staying.
Framboise |
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