Interview with Karim Ibrahim, Director of Junior National Teams for U.S Squash

Zaara: Hi, my name is Zaara and today I’m interviewing Karim Ibrahim and he is the Director of Junior National Teams for US Squash  and Im just going to ask him a few questions to get to know him. So what is your favorite part about coaching?

Karim: My favorite part about coaching is making an impact with kids and traveling to cool places inside America and outside.  

Zaara: What are some changes you’ve seen in squash over the years and changes in general? 

Karim: Yeah, absolutely.  I mean squash has grown so much as a sport and being played in maybe a few countries and now being a global sport played in over 100 countries but also the pace of squash has increased so much from maybe 10 to 15 years ago where squash is being played at a fast pace , players are extremely physical  both men and in the women’s side, and obviously the growth of tournaments in general especially on the PSA where now there are tournaments all over the world at all different levels from coppers all the way to platinum events and here internally in the junior circuit , 10 years ago, there wasn’t a JCT in Texas and now there is over 200 players in the state of Texas . And that is something we’re super, super excited about.  

Zaara: What are some of your goals for the junior development program and for juniors in general?

Karim: Yeah absolutely.  I mean First and foremost, my goal is for the kids to continue to have fun but also I would love to see Team USA being the best team in the world and so for us to win Gold at the World Junior Championship means we have to beat Egypt .  We have been finishing silver in the last few years and.I would love to continue winning Golds in the Pan American Junior Championships. 

Zaara: Well, it was great meeting you  and you’re amazing. 

Karim: Thank you, Zaara for having me.