Chennai : December 02, 2007.

Egypt faces problems; Ramy Ashour withdraws, fitness doubts on Karim Darwish as settings ready for the 21st ICL World Men's Team Squash Championship

All is set for action to begin in the 21st ICL World Men's Team Squash Championship to be held at the ICL Squash Academy, SDAT complex from December 6 to 12. The six courts for the competition have been given a new coat of paint while the centre court has been converted into an all-glass facility with a glass floor replacing the earlier wooden surface. For a player nothing can be more inviting and indeed some of the best exponents of squash in the World will be storming them in the next few days. The Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI), as the host, has taken steps to set the mood for the big occasion with banners and hoardings at various key points in the city, announcing the mega championship, the biggest to come to India, to the metropolis.

In all 29 teams have confirmed their participation. The first set of teams _Pakistan, Ireland and South Africa _ is expected from the day break of December 2. The trickle will be followed by a rush in the next few days. By December 5 all the teams would be in the city. Indian players are expected here from December 3. Elaborate security arrangements have been made in view of the congregation of a large number of overseas contingents.

Meanwhile expectations are running high on the way the competition will go in Chennai. The immediate index to the event here is the World Open now in progress in Bermuda where most of the players who will fly in here are either going through or have gone through the heat of the competition. Can Egypt and England fancy their chances of contesting the final as the seeding committee has perceived? As on date, it could be either Amr Shabana (Egypt), David Palmer (Australia), Nick Mathew (England) or Gregory Gaultier (France) who wil wear the crown in Bermuda. Each has gone through unexpected turns and twists. But as always class has been factor to rule. Still the exit of James Willstrop, courtsery Nick Mathews, is fair indication that World ranking may not be a true parameter for reasonable predictions! There are bound to be surprises.

One big one is Ramy Ashour, considered the most brilliant player to be in the sport, had not taken part in Bermuda citing injury. It is official that he will not be there in Chennai too to show his brilliance and leave the fans in a trance. Egypt has further bad news that Karim Darwish also is nursing an injury and could withdraw if he does not recover in time. Where does that put Egypt is the big question. On paper with the incomparable Shabana there to shoulder the responsibility the team confidence will remain high. And then again El Hendi (ranked 11) and Mohammed Abbas (ranked 14), the back up boys are no push overs either.

Can Gautlier, the British Open winner prove the world that the French cannot be taken lightly? Or whether Australian David Palmer, the double world champion (like Shabana) bounce back to tell the World that "Chennai is my lucky centre". It may be recalled it was here that Palmer and Anthony Ricketts had won the World men's doubles title in 2004. Possibilities abound but if Bermuda is an indication, it will squash at its very best in Chennai.

Prior to the championship there will be a World Squash Refereeing Conference on December 4 and 5 ( to be held at the Hotel Taj Connemara) with the basic theme "Towards World class refereeing_ a program for improvement". Top officials from around the globe are coming over for conference to be conducted by Rod Symington (WSF Assessor) and Chris Sinclair (WSF International Referee). Among the topics for discussion include one on "Applying the rule consistently" and "A challenge for all Referees". The conference will be of interest to Referees in this region and in particular to the Referees in India, several of them are expected to attend it and get benefitted.