The Flying DAF hosts inaugural camp for world’s elite squash players

Gulf Today, Staff Reporter

Some of the world’s best squash players descended on Dubai this month for the inaugural Flipper Devices Camp of Champions, a high-performance training camp designed to attract the top professionals from across the globe to the emirate.

The camp, organised by The Flying DAF Squash Academy with the support of Dubai Sports Council and the UAE Squash Association, was divided into two phases at the J-Club, at Jumeirah Beach Hotel, with the objective of positioning Dubai as a global base for the sport.

The first phase was led by former men’s world No. 2 Rodney Martin and included an impressive line-up consisting of current women’s world No. 1 Nouran Goharl, world No. 5 Amanda Sobhy, and men’s world No .6 Marwan El Shorbagy. Phase two, meanwhile, hosted reigning world champion and No .4-ranked Mostafa Assal, as well as No. 11 Karim Gawad and World No12 Youssef Soliman.

“Since we launched the academy year, the response has been phenomenal,” said Kanzy El Dafrawy, CEO and Founder of The Flying DAF, and a former World No. 21.

“Our vision is not just to make an impact and grow locally, but also globally. The Flipper Devices camp in Dubai is the first step towards making the city the world’s ultimate squash hub; a home for top-level professional squash players from around the globe.

“Dubai is the perfect place for athletes to be based, considering they have access to the best equipment, sources, and training programmes – complemented by the emirate’s geographical location, which makes it very easy to travel to tournaments worldwide.”

Dafrawy added: “Jumeirah Beach Hotel and the J-Club have been extremely supportive to us throughout this camp, giving us a space where we can run local and global events, and ultimately leverage this camp by offering a high-end and luxurious stay to our professional athletes.”

Mohammed Mubarak Al Mutaiwei, President of UAE Squash Association, said: “I express my appreciation for the distinguished presence of Champions of the game within the UAE, particularly in the emirate of Dubai.

“My sincere gratitude to DAF Academy for their exceptional initiative in hosting one of the most formidable international camps in the sport of squash. This gathering, showcasing the pinnacle of talent within the sport, underscores their firm commitment to improve the sport.

“We recognise the endorsement of all clubs and academies throughout the UAE that are dedicated to furthering the Federation's mission and elevating the country's standing at both regional and global levels.”

Squash is one of the world’s fastest growing sports, played in more than 185 countries. There are more than 1,500 courts accessible in the UAE.