Though they faced an uphill battle at the just-concluded Junior Caribbean Area Squash Association (CASA) Championships in the Cayman Islands, Jamaica Squash President Karen Anderson and team captain Sanjana Nallapati are confident the experience will prove invaluable for the country’s rising talents.
Jamaica wrapped up the regional tournament with a fourth-place overall finish, as they secured four medals—one gold, one silver, and two bronze. The girls’ team placed fourth, while the boys’ squad, hampered by inexperience, finished eighth. Yet, both Anderson and Nallapati believe the young team has laid an important foundation for future success.
“It was a challenging team competition. We had a very young and relatively inexperienced group, particularly on the boys’ side. We didn’t field any Under-19 boys, so our Under-17s had to step up. We were also without players in the Under-11 categories. But despite the odds, the players fought with heart and determination," Anderson said.
Anderson praised the team’s resilience as she viewed the campaign as a critical learning opportunity.
"We are proud of how they handled and acquitted themselves. I hope this experience will fuel them to work to get better, to compete against the other teams. We finished fourth overall, and we are looking to improve on that position next year," Anderson declared.
Leading from the front, Nallapati helped secure Jamaica’s lone gold medal, as she teamed up with Mehar Trehan to defeat Barbados 11-6, 11-7 in the girls’ doubles final.
Trehan also clinched silver in an intense Under-19 singles final against Barbados’ dominant Eboni Atherley. Trehan became the first player to take a set off the undefeated Bajan star. Atherley claimed the match 11-7, 7-11, 11-3, but Trehan’s performance signaled Jamaica’s potential to challenge the region’s best.
Meanwhile, Nallapati also secured bronze in the Under-19 singles. She overcame Bermuda’s Gabrielle Turchiaro in straight sets. The mixed doubles duo of Elle Smith and Ethan Miller also contributed to Jamaica’s medal haul with a hard-fought bronze.
Reflecting on her team’s effort, Nallapati expressed immense pride in how they competed beyond expectations.
"Overall, the team did very well because we had a young team with more beginners than experienced players, and I was proud that each player put in a hundred per cent effort for each of their matches, cheering along the way, which played a huge role in making Jamaica and the overall team very proud,” she said.
"I am really grateful to have received the CASA Spirit Award. It has been amazing growing with the squash community, pushing myself, and just enjoying the game with so many great people. I was so proud that I was recognised for the spirit, fun, and sportsmanship that I have tried to maintain throughout the entire tournament,” Nallapati added.