TT without squash coach

She explained that the appointment of a new squash coach is currently at a stand still.

“Our 2009 coach was Richard Glanfield and he was a foreign coach who was hired for one year. His monthly salary though, was US$5,000. A salary that surely the TTSA cannot afford without assistance from the Government or financial help from stakeholders or the public,” said Khan yesterday.

She revealed that the TTSA is fully dependant on Government funding and have no choice but to wait on their input on the matter. Khan noted that the length of time it is taking to appoint a new coach is hurting squash here.

“Our local players must now participate and represent Trinidad and Tobago without proper training and capable leadership,” said Khan.

She added, “Younger players must get at least two to three months of preparation and familiarisation with the coach before facing international opposition and this may not be possible for tournaments this year.”

Khan noted that the squash association has already submitted their 2011 funding proposal to the Government but are yet to get a response. She noted that funding has always been a problem which has plagued the sport.

“Sometimes players are forced to fund themselves to compete on the international stage. We (TTSA) also hold fund raisers and tournaments that generate a minor sum, but must be put back in toward membership fees and other costs. The funds raised are also sometimes spilt among the participating players as they go abroad to compete,” stated Khan.

Under Glanfield TT copped the Caribbean Squash Championships in the Cayman Islands.