2008 WUC Squash: Day 1
August 23rd, 2008
First Day of Competition
Today morning the Individual Men's and Women's Competition begun at the Squash Club at 9am. Games were scheduled following the draw prepared by the technical committee. In the women's tournament defending champion from the previous edition Lim Yoke Wah, Malaysia has a bye but Saturday she must be ready to play against Czech Olga Ertlova, the daughter of the FISU CT Chair for Sport Shooting. The silver medallist from the 5th WUC Kathrin Rohmüller, Germany easy won her first round and that was only one from the defending champions which played today. First seeded players from the draw have a rest day. The same situation was in the men's tournament where Egyptian players just used their time for practice. The most interesting games were played between Sulamen Alkhamesh, Kuwait and Jaroslav Cech from the Czech Republic. Five sets game squeezed both players enough just at the beginning of the tournament. Alkhamesh won 3-2 and for him the road is still open. On the other hand, for the Czech player Cech just the consolation tournament will be the possibility to show his skills. Another five sets game was played between Deveon Hendrikse, RSA and Moritz Dahmen from Germany. Dahmen lost 3-2 and Hendrikse is on his way to repeat his results from the previous edition. All results are available on the website of the Organizing Committee http://www.squash2008.com/22.php
Opening Ceremony
The Opening Ceremony took place in the Stadium Hall 2 just next door of the Squash Club. Well prepared by organising committee it started at 4.00 pm as a break between two sessions. The Egyptian anthem was played, flag of the host country was hoisted on the pole which was a signal for two thousand spectators that the ceremony begun. All athletes enjoyed the march parade followed by the flags and banners with the names of the countries. The teams were set up according the FISU protocol. All participants were warmly welcomed by the speakers as followed: the president of the Organising Committee and Minister of Higher Education and State for Scientific Research Dr. Hani Helal and FISU EC representative, Mrs. Penina Kabenge, who asked Dr. Hani Helal, to officially declare the opening of the 6th World University Squash Championship.
After the official speeches Mrs. Kabenge presented on behalf of FISU the souvenir plate to the Minister of Higher Education. The first part finished with the University Choir singing the 'Gaudamus Igitur' and the FISU flag was raised. After that the oath of the athletes was pronounced by Egyptian Champion and number one of the men's tournament Ramy Ashour and the referees oath by Nasser Zahran, International Referee. The cultural program was an exciting show, the presentation of the traditional folklore show, modern gymnastics, hip-hop dance and a final show with the mascots prepared by the different Egyptian Universities.
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