It was hard work, but it was great work. Last words…
BlackBall
Working at BlackBall is always an immense pleasure as Steve Cubbins, SquashSite webmaster and photographer, and myself are made to feel like royalty. I have to say I could have gladly strangled whoever decided it was a great idea to add the World Qualifiers at the same time as the Open. As if we didn’t have enough work..
Only Cubs could attend; he was not following up with Gouna and the Words, and I didn’t feel guilty about working from my sumptuous hotel room at the Kempinski!
Transport, check, great hotel, Kempinski, 10 out of 10, check, perfect seating for Fram, check, free food and drinks, check.
Only thing missing, a forking lift for those poor knees of mine… Please Mr Raef…
Worlds
If BlackBall and Gouna win the Music Man Award with my eternal gratitude, the Worlds failed…
In Palm Hills, the level was just unbearable at the glasscourt, ruining my evenings and preventing me from working to be honest.
And at the Museum, I managed to keep the Man at the helm under control until the Promoter went to him from the semis onwards, and asked for as much noise as possible. Sigh.
But one thing is sure, it was a joy to discover Palm Hills, FINALLY!
Amir Wagih was a perfect host, helping us as much as humanly possible.
The club is just fantastic for the players, as they were able to buy excellent food, healthy (or not actually). Everything you could have wanted on a plate really. I have to say I loved my sushis – for half the price I pay in Centre Cairo – every day – and healthy snacks that made us stand the incredibly long days…
And don’t start me on the Ritz Carlton. I have tears in m eyes thinking about the service…
Gouna
No offence to anybody, but Gouna wins the Best Organisation Award.
If I was treated like a Princess at the Worlds, a Queen in BlackBall, I was the QUEEN MOTHER in Gouna! Personal driver to take me from my doorstep In Cairo to the hotel in Gouna, a lovely driver every day to take me from the hotel to the venue, perfect seating, my plug to work from my VIP seating, a lovely young lady who kept bringing me food and drinks for the whole duration of the event.
Guys, you made an old lady very very happy….
