Squash in Ukraine 2021: development, results and plans
The article is published on the website sport.24tv.ua.
Squash is popular in many countries around the world, but a relatively new sport for Ukraine. Included in the Pan-American and Asian Games, the Commonwealth Games, the World Games and the All-African Games.
Thanks to this game, it continued to actively gain popularity in Ukraine in 2021, said Vice President of the Squash Federation of Ukraine Alyona Ogonesyan.
How many squash competitions were held in 2021? Was there growth despite the pandemic?
Despite the quarantine restrictions, the number of tournaments held during the year has increased. 72 competitions were planned for 2021, 61 of them took place. For comparison: in 2020 only 29 competitions were held, in 2019 - 45 competitions.
Which tournament in Ukraine do you define as the largest in 2021?
Speaking of the number of players, this is the Zenit Black Sea Open, which traditionally takes place in Odessa and this year brought together 163 players from different countries.
As for the scale of the resonance, it is the Pakistan Ukraine Friendship Squash Cup, which took place in Kyiv with the support of the Embassy of Pakistan in Ukraine. Many sports portals wrote about the tournament, TV channels reported about the tournament in the news, high-ranking officials and distinguished guests, such as Mr. Ambassador of Pakistan to Ukraine, attended the final games and awards.
Which of the Ukrainian squash players showed himself best in 2021? What are their achievements?
The official website of the Federation integrates a modern CRM-system (national rating), which allows everyone to follow the success of our athletes. The top positions in all 15 categories were occupied by those squash players who showed themselves best in 2021. In particular, I would like to note two of our juniors who reached significant heights at a young age: Sofia Zrazhevskaya at 14 took 3rd place at the Ukrainian Adult Championship, Dmitry Scherbakov at the age of 16 - also 3rd place in the championship of Ukraine among adults and soon won the Cup of Ukraine among adults.
How is the quality of refereeing and coaching improving in Ukraine?
We are constantly researching growth points for squash development. For example, our qualified judges were introduced to the WSO educational web platform, implemented with the support of the World Squash Federation. Also, in order to stimulate the involvement of players in the competitive process in 2021, the rating of coaches was developed, approved and implemented, which really created a positive trend.
Can you estimate the growth in the number of amateur players in Ukraine? If so, do you think it has grown?
The general interest in squash in Ukraine has clearly positive trends. The increase in the number of amateur players is the result of complex work. According to our metrics, our materials cover almost 6 million people in the information space. Some of them have already reached the courts, others are still on the way. But if we take into account the data of commercial clubs and statistics from our web resources, the dynamics is 100% positive. And I sincerely believe that next year it will maintain this vector of movement and will only accelerate.
Were there any proposals to the Squash Federation of Ukraine for certain projects in 2021? Were they implemented?
The Federation constantly provides information and consulting support to persons who are part of the squash community of Ukraine or those who have just realized the desire to join. We are often asked about locations for training, finding coaches, organizing tournaments, explaining the intricacies of game situations and rules. There are also inquiries from people seeking to join the squash infrastructure and from athletes regarding international travel support.
As for the point partnership at squash events, it is joined by many different business segments: the service sector, FMCG and the financial sector. Currently, it is very important for us to expand the portfolio of strategic partners in the development of squash in Ukraine.
Summing up, what are the main goals set for 2021 that you consider fulfilled? What will you focus on in 2022?
We have the following main indicators of the achieved goals: increase in the number of courts in commercial clubs, increase in the number of amateur athletes and, of course, the success of our juniors and professionals in 2021.
The main focus for 2022 will be the support of life and development of the squash ecosystem in Ukraine, as well as the growth of junior and professional squash.
At the same time, planned work on current projects will be continued, including media promotion, local and international partnerships, increased accessibility of locations, support and development of athletes, training of squash players, infrastructure development and many other elements. , the implementation of which will bring squash in the top 3 sports in Ukraine.
