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CAMPUS SERVICES | BUCS | 37
NURTURING SPORTS STARS AT UNIVERSITY
If you were to be involved in BUCS squash and you made it to the final, you would find yourself up against one of the world’s greatest players: Mohamed Elshorbagy
Mohamed is a professional squash player and current student at the University of the West of England (UWE) where he studies Business Enterprise. Born in Alexandria, Egypt, Mohammed, who represents his country of birth, reached a career-high world ranking of No.3 in February 2014. He was also a finalist at the 2012 World Squash Championships. In November he won the Qatar
classic, overcoming current world champion Nick Mathew, and this year he won the BUCS title for a fifth consecutive year, ensuring he will leave UWE undefeated. BUCS caught up with him to discover why the university competitions are his favourite of them all.
BUCS: Can you remember when you got into squash? ✥ Mohamed Elshorbagy: I was eight years old when I first got into squash back at my local club in Alexandria, Egypt, through my uncle who was an amateur squash player. I moved to England when I was 15 as I was offered as scholarship at Millfield School. After three years there, I then went to Bristol to study Business Enterprises at UWE. I believe squash isn’t everything in life. I wanted a degree so it would allow me to do something different because life as an athlete doesn’t last forever.
Q: Has your time at university benefited your squash? ✥ There have been many benefits for me. I believe I wouldn’t have been the squash player I am today without my time at university. I needed something different that could take my mind off competitions and the pressures that come with being a top squash player. Studying gave me that.
Q: What are your favourite
students enjoy the sport even after losses. I admire that and that’s what keeps me going.
Mohamed Elshorbagy
Q: How has UWE enhanced your squash? ✥ I have really enjoyed representing UWE who have provided me with all the facilities a top player needs; physios, squash courts, a gym etc. UWE have been incredibly supportive throughout the last five years and this has given me the platform to play good squash.
Q: You’ll soon be graduating so what does the next year
memories from playing squash at university? ✥ Some of the best moments and memories so far in my squash career have come from BUCS competitions. UWE have done so much for me over the years and it’s always nice to give something back to them.
Q: How does competing in BUCS and for your university compare to competing internationally? ✥ There is a huge difference. When I go out there for the professional tournaments you look into the eyes of your opponents and it is clear they want to eat you alive before they even play you. It’s a tough business as a pro, but when playing in BUCS competitions I see students coming to have fun, coming to enjoy their weekend and I have always loved to see that. Whenever I am at pro tournaments and have a bad loss I always remember the BUCS tournament and how university
hold for you? ✥ I am not sure… I will work hard on a daily basis to be a beter player every day. I am currently the world number three and have two more huge jumps to that world number one ranking. It will require a lot but I am ready to always do anything it takes no mater how hard it is to achieve my goal.
BUCS Exhibition This year’s BUCS Exhibition will be taking place on Thursday 10 July, as part of the Annual BUCS Conference at Swansea University. Exhibition is an integral part
of the BUCS Conference and offers an excellent marketing and networking opportunity for NGBs, sports organisations, suppliers and other commercial organisations in the higher education sports and activity sector. Exhibition spaces are available for
commercial organisations to atend with up to four staff at a cost of £595 plus VAT per stand. The conference is powered by StarTrac.
To book your exhibition space, please visit the BUCS website at
www.bucs.org.uk and complete the 2014 exhibition booking form. UB
Main image ©
squashpics.com
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