But not content with
what he had managed, Kenan embarked upon helping others. “We have problems with
no coaches so I have compiled a squash book to raise interest for others to share
in squash. We must start with school children so that squash becomes their habit,”
he says. The true enthusiast, who really enjoyed trying out his skills against
both WISPA women! And if the Turkish Federation ever wants to employ a development
officer they need look no further than Kenan! The
story of Turkish Squash revolves around two people and an interesting juxtaposition.
First up is Tunc (pronounced Tunch) Limasollu who was based in Norwich, England,
during the 1980’s. He played some squash there and returned home to find that
the Istanbul Hilton had built two courts a year or two earlier in 1986 … the first
in the country. He
was able to carry on himself and enthuse others, including a young girl, the aforementioned
Ayten Kececi. She is now the national number one, President of the Federation
(and a world away from the crusty wizened image of the normal holders of the position!)
…… and he is on her committee. Roles are reversed at the publishing company Tunc
runs, since he employs her there! Tunc
tells of the first Hillside Club which was built in 1990, followed by some hotels
and resorts adding courts, and now more health clubs following suit. Squash is
certainly developing from its recent beginnings, and under the thrusting stewarding
of the president is destined to go far. The base is small and the playing standard
low, as one might expect from a young country, but that is set to change.
Ayten, a marketing tyro,
expects the first representative Turkish team to attend an international event
very soon, though being creative she has found a new way! “I met some Turkish
squash-playing guys living in Germany and they will go as a Turkish Team to the
European Nations Challenge Cup for emerging nations in Estonia at the end of October.
Our players from here cannot afford to go as they have to pay for themselves.”
However, she says she is hopeful of some government support next year – "and
that will change everything”. While
there are some courts in Ankara, the capital, Istanbul’s 15 million population
is five times greater - so it is from the Bosphorus that the development ripples
will have to spread across the nation. One
local asset is that Turkish Olympic Committee President Togay Bayatli very genuinely
supports squash. He enthusiastically watched two evenings of play, and though
he conveniently cited a bad shoulder injury when invited to hit a few balls with
one of the WISPA stars, you felt that he really would have liked to.
Bayatli explained his
disappointment that not enough of his fellow delegates in Singapore had voted
for squash to get into the London Games in 2012, but is convinced that squash
will make that step up sooner or later. Before
play resumed on the final evening, the WISPA group immersed themselves in the
labyrinthine Grand Bazaar (and what self-respecting Arab-influenced trading city
cannot boast a decent souk!). They also took in a little of the history at the
Topkapi Palace, home of the Ottoman Sultans from the fifteenth Century until the
dynasty was dismantled by Attaturk when he formed the Republic in 1923 - handily
finding a name to give the country by using his own! The
last evening of play and coaching saw the arrival of two TV crews and more representatives
of the written Turkish media. These included another visit by Hurriyet. All this
activity ensured that more of the population now knows about squash and may even
encourage a few sponsors to emerge. There is no doubt whatsoever that the inspiring
enthusiasm of the small squash community alone will take the sport a long way
in Attaturk’s domain. Ferda
Eren, another local player who took to the court, summed up their reactions: Entranced
by what she had been a part of, she told a journalist: “It was a once-in-a-lifetime
chance to watch the top players and even play with them. I really hope it becomes
a tradition here!” Rachael
Grinham spoke for the whole WISPA party when she told the Q & A session in
front of the courts: “Although my legs are telling me I have played too many of
you, it has been a great few days in your brilliant city. I hope we come back
again soon.” Meanwhile
the summary of the three days from Ayten Kececi focused on the benefits that she
hopes will flow from the WISPA presence. “All the players here have had a chance
to watch the best players in squash. They are very happy. I hope that in the future
that we will have more players and junior players as a result of this."
Part two of the WISPA
Promotional Tour will now unfold in Amman, the capital city of Jordan in the coming
days. (Report
by Andrew Shelley) -
ENDS – Issued
on behalf of: WISPA
For
further information: Howard Harding | 
