As part of our Squash stories across the world, we turn the spotlight on the Democratic Republic of the Congo; whose, Squash administration is managed by the Congolese Squash Federation, with whom has now become one of our international partners, following our partnership with the BA Kolo Squash Club.
Congolese Squash Federation on World Squash Day 2022 – Credit: Squash DRC
Like any country, the Democratic Republic of the Congo is another country that has an interesting talent of Squash players, who have the potential to compete internationally.
Squash provision at a Hotel
Like most countries, Squash starts in venues where there is existing leisure provision or a standalone venue, such as a building conversion.
Compared to the UK, Squash entered the Democratic Republic of the Congo in 1974 with the construction of the Center Sportif of Pullman Hotel, at the time the Intercontinental Hotel where the courts were built.
At the time Squash practice was reserved for business executives and the upper middle class, mostly nationals of former English colonies.
In spite of this some Congolese residents, tennis players, and hotel staff were introduced to the sport notably: Pierre Isofose, Augustin Lomboto, Nestor Kibuila, Maurice Limba, Bafomba, Kongolo Tchang, and Simon Yoka.
Credit: Congolese Squash Federation
Among them, Simon Yoka became the one Squash player, who stood out and went on to become one of leading the stars in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in fact, Simon became the youngest and the most famous Congolese player of his generation time.
The creation of the governing body
Inspired by other tournaments and having seen first-hand how the sport was managed in other countries, Simon Yoka sought to the same thing and organized tournaments with the help of expatriates to do the same thing.
In 2002, he created the Congolese Squash Federation with the aim of organizing and developing the practice of Squash which is not known to the general Congolese public.
The first elected president of the Congolese Squash Federation was Herman Leferink, from Holland who oversaw the initial start-up stages of governing body of the sport.
By 2008, the Congolese Squash Federation was officially recognized by the sports administration and Congolese Squash attracted more and more people, with help of the media to talk about it; which lead to more young Congolese (girls and boys) being interested in squash.
Also, the same year (2008), saw the launch of the junior and minimal categories during a tournament in which two female stars; Agathe Pemba and Anastasie stood out as Squash players who showed great talent in the sport.
Agathe Pemba (Congolese Squash Federation)
Meanwhile, the junior boy’s category saw the introduction of future talent, Gola Supa, Flory Bokote, Reagen Elemba, Calvi Mandambo, and Bianco Kibuila.
From that year also, there were more female stars in the girl’s junior squash categories – Déborah Badi, and Julia Kabasele, both were too emerging in the sport.
From 2008 onwards, there was the introduction of a minima boy’s category, which saw Padomi Mukalenge and Gael Itom, emerge as the next-generation stars of the sport.
As the years passed, the juniors minimal become juniors, and the juniors turn into seniors, Squash in the Democratic Republic of Congo became open to all levels of Squash participation.
Presently, the Squash talent is growing with more young people being more interested in the sport following the successes of local stars, including our very own Jean-Marie Besombi and current no.1 Bianco Kibuila.
Tournaments, new generation, and Squash development
It was in 2015 that one of this new Congolese generation, Gola Supa, won a Squash Open for the first time by beating the Indian Anil Verma – 7-11, 8-11, 11-9, 12-10, 11-4 (the 12th Kinshasa International Open).
Anil Verma & Gola Supa (credit: Congolese Squash Federation)
In terms of Squash clubs, two of the most popular clubs that have played an essential part in developing Squash provision in the Democratic Republic of Congo are – the BA Kolo Squash Club (BKS) and Squash Elengi in Kinshasa.
As a means of increasing Squash provision in the country, these clubs formed collaborations and grouped together in the local Leagues.
In 2022, the BA Kolo Squash Club hosted a Challenge tournament inviting other Squash players to compete against one other in order to promote the sport to new audiences.
Roll of honour
The following have made significant contributions to the growth of Congolese Squash:
Simon Yoka – current president of the Congolese Squash Federation. (credit: Congolese Squash Federation)
Pierre Isofose – current National Technical Director (credit: Congolese Squash Federation)
Pascal Kashama: Men’s Champion of the 1st edition of the Congo Squash Championship (2014).
Clementine Ngalula: Women’s 2014 Champion of the 1st edition of the Congo Squash Championship and current Congolese women’s no.1.
Other Ladies’ Squash players from the Democratic Republic of the Congo
(L) Joly Binga (Men’s no.3) and Bianco Kibulia (Men’s no.1) (Credit: Congo Profound)
Jean-Marie Besombi (with racquet) Men’s No.2
Other Men’s Players from the Democratic Republic of Congo
World Squash Day 2022
Last year, the Congolese Squash Federation was one of the many nations celebrating World Squash Day 2022 and got a feature on the World Squash Federation website.
Coverage like worth a lot to the Congolese Squash Federation, as highlighted by the popularity of Squash in African nations – something current the World Squash Federation is pushing for across all nations.
Next Generation (credit: Squash DRC Facebook)
Plans for the future
The Congolese Squash is developing despite enormous difficulties in terms of infrastructure and other sports equipment.
With stars in both the men’s and women’s categories, such as Bianco Kibuila, Jean-Marie Besombi, Jordy Lincoln (Mens) and Clementine Ngalula, Leslie Tshibola (Current N°2), and Rachel Muleka B, along with many other players of the sport, show (we) the Congolese Squash Federation has potential to overcome these difficulties to grow the sport to the next level.
With our association with the Onyx Squash Academy and strongly believe the collaboration will help take Squash in the Democratic Republic of the Congo to greater heights.
Blog post by Gratien Bwate, Secretary General of the Congolese Squash Federation.
