It’s a news that won’t make headlines on the main press, of course. Does it really matter in the scale of things. A little boy from Saudi won a U13 title in Norway.
But how important is it for Squash in that country? It’s huge. The Olympic Committee tweeted about it, the General Sport Authority as well…
للمره الأولى في تاريخ الأسكواش السعودية..
لاعب المنتخب السعودي للأسكواش ياسر آل عباس يحقق ذهبية بطولة النرويج الدولية تحت 13 عام قبل قليل..
ألف مبروك الذهب للبطل ياسر 🥇🇸🇦 pic.twitter.com/G0F1eTrs2q— Saudi Olympic | الأولمبية السعودية (@saudiolympic) March 31, 2019
There are two people behind this break through. First, Samer Al-Khateeb, who I was lucky to meet when I went to Saudi Al-Khobar 10 years ago, he was kind enough to invite us to his home.
On my way with Yasser, Salem and Nasfan to participate in the 2019 Eye Norwegian Junior
(under 13) 29th March – 31st March 2019 at Lysaker, ESF Junior Circuit – Open event.
(Sponsored by President of the Saudi Squash Federation, Ziad Al-Turki)
Thanks @zalturki@Saudisq1992 pic.twitter.com/LqKwv6vzT8— SAMER ALKHATEEB – سامر الخطيب (@SAMSQUASH1) March 27, 2019
The second is the President of the Saudi Federation, a name we know pretty well on the Tour, Mr Ziad Al-Turki, who is nonetheless PSA Chairman, and who is sponsoring the three boys that went to Norway.
It was a great victory…1st international win for a Saudi… The vision in Saudi has shifted from driven by medals to grassroots development, and mass participation in sports…
Samer Al-Khateeb spends a lot of his time training and mentoring them…he’s the man behind these juniors.
this is what allows all federations to focus on the future, and be so challenged to produce the impossible.
Overall I’m very proud of these juniors.
Not to mention a hero welcome…
🎥 #فيديو| لحظة وصول البطل السعودي ياسر عدلان آل عباس والذي حقق ذهبية بطولة النرويج الدولية تحت 13 عاماً لأول مرة في تاريخ الإسكواش السعودي.#عكاظhttps://t.co/hiZirp74eV pic.twitter.com/2bXVf2j9Ok
— عكاظ (@OKAZ_online) April 1, 2019
