Kingscourt hosts world racquetball contest

The Kingscourt Racquetball Club has been chosen as the host venue for several reasons. The club offers state of the art racquetball courts with great spectator seating. The facility has been built only a few years ago and there is also a fitness gym. The club hosts several National racquetball events every year. Over 180 players and delegates from 28 countries including Brazil, Korea, Bolivia, Mexico, US and Canada are expected to compete in Kingscourt for gold medals, For ten days Kingscourt will be the centre of international racquetball. Sean Gargan, President of the Racquetball Association of Ireland and Kingscourt native, is delighted that the championships has come to the East Cavan town. Speaking to the Anglo Celt this week he said they have been planning for the event for the past twelve months and it was now coming to fruition. His hard working team comprise of eight members from the local racquetball club and eight members from the Kingscourt Community Development Council. 'The town will benefit greatly from the championship.' 'The traders of the town have also organised a week long festival to coincide with the championships so there will be plenty of entertainment for the duration of the championships. The event will kick off with a parade on Friday night and the championships will be officially opened by the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Brendan Smith, TD.' The competition gets underway on Saturday, August 2, at 9am and will continue each days until later in the evening. Sean points out at admission to the matches is free. The World Championships in Ireland also marks the return of the Worlds in Europe after 20 years of absence. In 1988 the last and so far only World Championships in Europe have been held with great success in Hamburg, Germany. 'We were much delighted to receive a bid from Ireland to host the 2008 Worlds', says ERF President Erik Meyer, 'Irish Racquetball is the backbone of European Racquetball and we are more than confident to have the best Worlds ever in 2008 in Ireland'. IRF President Keith Calkins stated, 'While the IRF was anxious to bring the World Championships to Europe in 2008 it was a very logical move to Ireland. The event will offer a terrific opportunity to support the currently positive movement in Europe, but even more in Ireland.' Thirteen World Championships have been held so far on four continents. Since 1982, the Worlds have travelled around the globe and players have experienced the friendship and hospitality of many racquetball venues and cities, concluded Sean.