"Jonah changed squash as we know it. He created the professional game, and changed the way people thought about squash. Jonah became a household name – he was an exceptional player." "Jonah single-handedly raised the profile of Squash in the country and was responsible for an England national junior system which produced six world top ten players."

Barrington, who attended the Awards dinner with his son Joey, now ranked 25 in the world, was delighted to receive the award from fellow players. "Squash is a beautiful sport, and it has been a privilege to have been involved," said the 65-year-old squash legend.

Amr Shabana, the world number one from Egypt who secured his fifth PSA Tour title of the year at the Saudi International earlier this week, won the PSA Male Player of the Year award, while Nicol David, the world number one from Malaysia who clinched her second successive Women's World Open crown in Belfast last month, won the WISPA Female Player of the Year award.

Cairo-based Shabana, described by PSA President Mark Chaloner as "the most relaxed and athletic player on the Tour", was unable to be at the event as a result of fog-bound Heathrow airport in London. "I'm devastated not to be able to be able to be there in person to collect my award," said Shabana in a message read out by fellow Egyptian international Wael El Hindi.

Nicol David also regretted not being to able to attend the gala dinner. "It is awesome to be recognised in this way by my fellow players," said the 23-year-old from Penang in a message conveyed by WISPA Chief Executive Andrew Shelley.

There was further Egyptian success when Ramy Ashour received the PSA Young Male Player of the Year award. The 19-year-old from Cairo, a record two-times winner of the World Junior title, has made massive strides up the PSA world rankings, reaching seven this month after starting the year at No38!

South Africa's Tenille Swartz won the WISPA Young Female Player of the Year award. The 19-year-old from Parys only played her first WISPA World Tour event in October, then won the second when she clinched the Meersquash Open title in the Netherlands in November. At the beginning of this month, Tenille leapt from 134 to 57 in the WISPA world rankings.

The WISPA Most Improved Female Player of the Year award was won by Nicolette Fernandes, the first and only professional squash player ever to come out of Guyana. Since basing herself in the UK, the 23-year-old's squash career has blossomed. Runner-up in her first Panamerican Championship in September, Nicolette went on to reach the second round of the World Open last month as a qualifier.

"When I first took up squash back in my home country Guyana, I never dreamed that one day I would be standing in front of such a distinguished audience receiving an award like this," said the new Caribbean star.

Event co-host Peter Nicol was also honoured with a special England Squash award. Presented jointly by England Squash President Jackie Robinson and National Coach David Pearson, the award acknowledged the distinguished career of the 33-year-old Scottish-born Londoner who has won four Commonwealth Games gold medals, led England to World Team Championships success, was world No1 for 60 months, and maintained an unbroken presence in the world's top ten rankings from May 1994 until he retired in October this year!

"I don't normally get emotional, but I'm close to tears," admitted Nicol as he received his surprise award. "I love squash – and I still do, even though I've retired."

World Squash Awards 2005
WORLD SQUASH AWARDS 2005   Male Player of the Year Thierry Lincou Female Player of the Year Vanessa Atkinson Young Male Player of the Year James Willstrop Young Female Player of the Year Nicol David Lifetime Achievement Award Jahangir Khan

Jahangir Khan dominated the squash world through the eighties and into the nineties, winning a record 10 British Open titles and six World Open crowns.  He established a remarkable record - believed to be unequalled in any sport - when he maintained an unbeaten run for five and a half years, winning countless matches in events all over the globe, from 10 April 1981 until 11 November 1986!

Thierry Lincou combines success on court with professionalism and a winning personality off it.  Adapting his game quickly to the demands of the new PSA scoring, he captured three major championships, including the World Open, in the last half of 2004 to regain the world No1 spot in January, which he has retained throughout this year.

Vanessa Atkinson won every final she played in 2004, claiming eight major WISPA championships! Recognising the opportunity presented by the retirements of England's Cassie Jackman and New Zealander Carol Owens, Vanessa worked out how to improve her game to take advantage.  She moved from No5 to No2 during the season, and has brought to the forefront of women's squash a great head-to-head rivalry with the Australian sisters Rachael and Natalie Grinham.

James Willstrop is both exciting on court and mature off it.  A star of the future, the 21-year-old from Pontefract in Yorkshire has brought to the court a wondrous blend of tactics, power, speed and invention - allied to an ability to learn from each encounter.  After a much heralded junior career (in which he won the world title) and a successful rookie season on the PSA Tour, he shot from No18 to No5 in the PSA rankings in a single year, and won the Pakistan Open in December to earn his first Super Series victory.

The panel highlighted the fact that there are few women with the same range of technical ability or tactical awareness as Nicol David ... and certainly not at her age.  The 21-year-old from Penang reached the finals of three world class WISPA tournaments in 2004, won the Kuwait Open in March and has risen to a career high of No4.  Nicol is hugely popular in Malaysia and was invited by her government to carry the Olympic torch on its way to Athens for the 2004 Summer Olympic Games.

11-Apr-05: EVENTIS ANNOUNCE A FIRST: WORLD SQUASH AWARDS Eventis Sports Marketing this week announced that they will be hosting the inaugural World Squash Awards at the RAC in Pall Mall, London. Taking place on Friday 6th May 2005, the awards will be an evening affair with champagne reception, four course dinner, awards and guest speaker. With the backing of WSF, PSA and WISPA, Eventis have sought to create an occasion that will give the squash world the chance to celebrate everything that has taken place in the previous 12 months. Speaking from the PSA Masters in Bermuda, Eventis director, Peter Nicol MBE explained the reasons behind the concept. "We felt squash needed a high profile evening that can bring all parties together to enjoy what has gone before and also discuss the exciting times ahead. All other sports have such an occasion and we are delighted that the RAC was willing to give us the chance to host the event in suitably splendid surroundings that are intrinsically linked with the sport." This year’s awards will comprise of the following categories: Male Player of the Year Female Player of the Year Young Male Player of Year (U23) Young Female Player of the Year (U23) Lifetime Achievement Award The nominations and winners will be decided by a panel drawn from the three world bodies, journalism & event promotion. With the awards dinner timed to take place the Friday before the Brit Insurance Super Series Finals at the Broadgate Arena it is anticipated that all the leading players will be in attendance. Nicol explained "one of the squash’s strengths is the approachability of the players, and we are sure this will help to ensure the success of this event." Nicol went on to say "as with all our projects, we will be seeking to put on a high calibre event and will be using Horizon to show images of squash at its best. We are taking a gamble putting on the first ever one but are sure that the squash fraternity will embrace it and that it will grow into a ‘must attend’ event in years to come." Tickets are priced £75.00 and include champagne reception, four course dinner with wine and guest speaker. Tables of 10 can also be booked - numbers required by 22nd April. For further details please contact: Tim Garner   07973 817468  tgarner@eventis-sports.com

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