Walker parades squash in Namibia, Botswana
Thato Kala | Monday June 23, 2014 14:42
Walker is expected to play another exhibition match in Gaborone this weekend before returning to his base to prepare for next month’s Commonwealth Games.
Walker took on Namibia’s number one Marco Becker in Windhoek and beat him 3-1 in a four-set match aimed at endorsing the game in the neighbouring country.
According to reports from the neighbouring country, the match played at the Wanderers squash courts in Pioneerspark drew a large crowd of spectators and squash lovers, many of whom rallied behind the Namibian player.
Walker won the first set 11-9, before Becker came back strongly in the second set to level the score at a set apiece (9-11). He, however, could not duplicate his second set exploits, eventually going down in the remaining two sets 11-4; 12-10.
Walker and Becker also conducted a two-hour coaching clinic for junior squash players on the Saturday afternoon.
The exhibition matches were in campaign of the 2014 edition of the World Junior Squash Championships slated for Windhoek from 10 to 21 August.
This tournament is expected to draw participants from all five continents in the world and will see players and officials representing an estimated 37 countries, attracting about 250 participants.
Straight after the Gaborone exhibition game, Walker returns to his base to get ready for Glasgow. The Glasgow Games have come under scrutiny in recent years with some calling for their cancellation citing they had diminished in value worldwide, but certainly not in Walker’s opinion.
“It is not so in the eyes of squash players because for us it is one of the biggest titles after the World Championships. It is of huge significance to us and I am sure Glasgow will go well, Scotland will put a great event,” Walker told Monitor Sport.
He added: “I do not think there is room to believe we do not need the Commonwealth Games, it is a great event and has been going on for a long time.”
Walker makes his maiden appearance at the games and the 31-year-old believes this is his last opportunity.
“It’s an extremely exciting opportunity for me, I missed the last couple. Obviously being only after every four years, at the age of the 31, it is the last chance I probably have to represent Botswana at such a major tournament,” he said.
Walker has been representing Botswana for the last three years after switching allegiance from England.
He will be Botswana’s only squash player in Glasgow after others failed to make the cut. “It would have been great to send two or three players to give each other support.”
Nonetheless, Walker is upbeat he will do well and admits the presence of world number two Nick Matthews and former number one James Willstrop raises the level of competition at the games.
“If I can get into top three and take one of them, I will be delighted,” he said.
Walker will spend 10 days in England preparing for the event before going to Glasgow. The first time he represented the country at a major international competition was at the World Team Championships in France last year. Botswana finished in position 23 after winning two out of five games. He is convinced his teammates gained a lot of experience from the tournament.
He praised the squash committee for their commitment to developing junior players, adding Theo Pelonomi, who became the youngest player in the history of the World Team Championships last year, has a bright future.
The Gaborone-born star said he was considering returning to live in Botswana in the future.
“I want to come back and live in Botswana because I miss it so much. Maybe in a couple of years’ time you will see me living in Botswana,” he said.
Walker became the first squash player to win the Sportsmen of the year award earlier this year.