Now under new management Elite Squash Middle East, affiliated with EliteSquash UK and spearheaded by world-renowned coach Hadrian Stiff, is tailoring bespoke squash lessons for groups and individuals. In the first of a series of exclusive interviews with the coaches, Sport360 speaks to Dawar Shahid.
“I’ve been coaching for seven years and also playing professionally as well. The coaching standard is good here in Dubai, some people come to us not knowing what squash is but then they get into it and see the benefits from playing. Our sessions are popular with those who don’t like going to the gym and want to break a sweat quickly. After 40 minutes of playing the guys have raised their heart rate and learned more skills on the court as well.”
On the spot: Coaching is open to all players
“We’ve had a big change since being rebranded as EliteSquash Middle East and working with Managing Director John Jossifakis, who has been very professional. The coaches are all friends away from the court as well so it’s a good environment for us to teach and people to learn. Squash is something that you can use for exercise as well as learning a new sport. When you’re training or playing competitively you forget everything that is going on outside of the court and you are fully focused on the game.”
“Squash players have the ability to play a lot of sports like tennis, badminton and even golf. You learn a lot about the movement, as you need to go from side-to-side and front-to-back very quickly. You also develop good hand-eye coordination so for me squash is the best game to play as you learn so much. We teach kids from as young as four years old so you can start at a very young age.”
“I myself am still looking to participate in the international events and PSA professional circuit matches. I played in a tournament recently in Abu Dhabi and reached the semi final, which was good so I am hoping to go one better in the next tournament.”
EliteSquash Middle East believes in challenging conventional teaching methods and offers a free 30-minute assessment with their expert coaches. To find out more and to book your lesson visit www.elitesquash.me
