Duncan Dixon of New Zealand overcame local hero H. Shaker (Egypt) to become the first holder of the WCF Under 21 Golf Croquet Championship, in Cairo, Egypt.

Cairo Weather

Introduction

Championship Logo Following consultation with WCF member associations, an overwhelming number of respondents support the vision of holding an Under 21 yrs Golf Croquet World Championship.

The Egyptian Croquet Federation has kindly agreed to host the inaugural event which will take place in Cairo from Saturday 18th to Thursday 23rd July 2009 at the Egyptian Croquet Federation Club lawns.

The event will be open to any player of a member association who is under 21 years of age on the 31st December 2008.

Event Organising Committee

Amir Ramsis (Chairman)

Championship Management

Manager: Mr. Mohammed Hassan

Referee: Mr. Yusri Ghamry

Anti-Doping

At this time, neither the WCF or Egyptian Croquet Federation are signatories to the World Anti-Doping Agency Doping Code.

No testing will take place at this Championship.

For further information on the WADA Doping Code see the WCF Anti-Doping page.

Playing Conditions

The Championship shall be played in accordance with the WCF Rules of Golf Croquet 2007 edition as amended from time to time, and the WCF Sports Regulations as amended from time to time.

All results of matches played in this Championship will be included in the WCF Golf Croquet Rankings.

Dawson 2000 International 2nd Series balls will be used.

On the first two days play will be from 09.00hrs - 12:00hrs approx and then 17:00 until late evening.

Thereafter by arrangement of the Tournament Manager.

Floodlighting will be used.

Group Play

Each player will play each other player in their group in one, 19 point game.

This will determine the seeding in each group from position 1 to 4 and in the case of Group H, 1 to 5. This will enable players to "warm up" for the Championship. It is expected that each match will last a maximum of 45 minutes.

Knock Out Stage

All players will then proceed to the knock-out stage. Best of 3 games

Loosers will continue to play other losers to determine the Championship order from 1 to 33.

Player Registration

Player registration will take place at the event and a player will be required to produce a passport or national identity card to substantiate their identity and age.

Child Protection

For those who are under 18 on the 18th July 2009:-

All member associations are reminded of the requirements of child protection for ALL WCF Championships and particularly the one cited above.

A child is any person under the age of 18 years. (United Nations: Convention on the Rights of the Child)

For WCF purposes it is interpreted that they are a child if they are under the age of 18 years on the first date of competition.

When nominating players for entry to ANY WCF event, the relevant member association must have regard to the age of the players they are nominating. Where it is apparent that a child is being nominated they must take all steps to prevent harm and ensure their continuing safety from home, back to home.

Whilst WCF and any host association will take all reasonable steps to mitigate any perceived risk to children, neither are in a position to guarantee the overall safety of a child or assume responsibility for them whilst they are attending a WCF event. This is particularly relevant to those periods where a child player is not actively participating.

Whenever a child is nominated by a member association, such nomination MUST be accompanied by:-

WCFCP Form 1 Under Age Release;
WCFCP Form 2 Child Protection Medical Information.

Both of these forms require the signature of the child’s parent / guardian.

The Under age release form also requires the signature of a responsible person on behalf of the nominating member association.

Only upon receipt of those forms and the nomination will the entry for the child be accepted.

Link to the forms and full WCF Child Protection Guidance

Member Associations should satisfy themselves, in dialogue with their own Child Protection Officer that the child they have nominated is of sufficient age and understanding that they look after themselves or, that they have put in place sufficient safeguarding arrangements to ensure the child’s safety is protected from home back to home.

They should bear in mind that many carriers and local jurisdictions actively prevent children from travelling alone.

Supervision of a child, from home back to home, may be undertaken by any person over the age of 18 years, such as:-

a designated member of the nominating member association accompanying the child acting as a Team Supervisor;
a parent / guardian of another child attending the event who is designated as a supervisor and who is conversant with their protective role;
another player who is designated as a supervisor and who is conversant with their protective role.

Entry Fee
Confirmed Entries
Allocation

Entry Fee

There is no entry fee for this event

Entries @ 28th May 2009.

Australia

Malcolm Fletcher*
Robert Fletcher*

*National Association child protection clearance obtained

England

William Gee
Rachel Rowe
James Carr* (Withdrew 16th July 2009)
Jacob Carr* (Withdrew 16th July 2009)
James Goodbun*

*National Association child protection clearance obtained

Egypt

Hamy Erian
Ahmed Yaser Esmat
Hisham Shaker
Saher Tarek Ezz
Moustafa Nazer Soliman
Omar Mohamed Enan
Amr Elibyari
Mohamed Taha Ismail
Ali Mohamed Enan
Karim Ghamri
Mahmoud Mohamed Hassan
Ahmed Osama Elhawoush
Miss. Soha Moustafa
Miss. Sandy Younan
Miss. Noura Nezar Soliman
Miss. Dina Saad El Din Ali

Ireland

Ben Harris
Danny Johnston
Kieran Murphy
Jack Gleeson*
Robert O'Donoghue*
William Synnott*

*National Association child protection clearance obtained

New Zealand

Duncan Dixon
Jared Keeman
Jarrod Couts
Hamish McIntosh

Original Allocation

No specific allocations will be made to member associations for this event and there is a wish that all members will send at least one representative. If any member wishes to send more than five players, please check availability of places with the WCF Secretary-General.

The closing date for nominations is now extended to 15th May 2009.

Venues

Egyptian Croquet Federation Lawns
El Gazirah Club Lawns
Cairo Club Lawns

Egypt - Cairo lawns

Transport

The main local airport is Cairo International Airport served by many carriers.

Players can be met by Egyptian Croquet Federation representatives at the airport.

Private transfers from the airport to your hotel and return including meet & assisted service :-
1 person 50 $ per person ( Round Trip )
2 or more persons 25 $ per person ( Round Trip )

Accommodation

A range of accommodation to suit all budgets has been sourced in Cairo.

Hotel President (3 stars)

Double Room          70 $
Single Room            55 $
Triple Room          100 $   ( Double + Extra Bed )

Price include Breakfast & Sales Taxes.
Above prices are in US Dollars per room per night.

The hotel is located in one of the greenest areas in Cairo the Zamalek Island. Zamalek is a quiet residential area where many of the foreign embassies, restaurants, and Night life sites are situated.

The hotel is within walking distance to the Gezirah Clud & Federation lawns.

The Hotel President offers 117 comfortably furnished rooms complete with air conditioning, colour TV with satellite channels, direct dial telephone, radio, and minibar, Business Centre with telefax service, valet and laundry service and 24 hour room service.

Dine in the gourmet restaurant La Terrace which serves oriental and continental dishes surrounded by a lovely view of the Zamalek Island. Afterwards, enjoy the same view with a relaxing drink in the Roof Bar. Down below, the Cairo Cellar serves drinks and meals, and the famous Le Bec Sucre offers excellent French pastries.

Hotel Shepheard (4 stars superior)

Double Room 160 $
Single Room 140 $

Price include Breakfast & Sales Taxes.
Above prices are in US Dollars per room per night.

The Shepheard Hotel is strategically located in the heart of Garden City district, the most prestigious residential & business area in downtown Cairo. The hotel offers an elegant and comfortable accommodation, superb restaurants and large banquet facilities overlooking the River Nile. It's a well known classical hotel, with a historical background that goes back to the year 1841.

300 guest rooms and suites including :
Central air-conditioning
International direct dialing
TV with satellite channels
Mini bar
Safety Boxes
Internet Access

Hotels used by the Egyptian Croquet Federation

Booking Form:

Name
Nationality
Passport Number
Date of Birth
E-mail
Telephone

Please indicate your booking requirements:

Guest Name	Hotel	Check in	Check out	Type of Room

Signature:

Send to:-

Masstravel
97, El-Montazah St., 11351 Helipolis, Cairo Egypt.
Tel: (202) 26329732 - 26329735 - 26335230
Fax : (202) 26357299
Email : travel@masstravelegypt.com
www.masstravelegypt.com

Qualification Tournament

There will be no Qualification Tournament for this event.

Passport and Visas'

All Travel into Egypt requires a passport and possibly a visa.

Your Passport must be valid for at least six months, whilst a Visa can be obtained upon arrival at Cairo international Airport.
Price : 25 $ ( to be paid cash upon arrival)

Day Trips

Some trips can be arranged via the Eyptian Croquet Federation at extra cost

OPTIONAL EXCURSIONS

** The Great Pyramids & the Egyptian Museum ( Lunch included )
Of the famous seven wonders of the ancient world, the Pyramids of Giza are the only one that have managed to withstand time and remain intact to this day. The Sphinx was the symbolic image of the Pharaoh and at the same time the guardian of the Necropolis of Giza. Lunch at a local restaurant. Proceed to the Egyptian Museum, which houses the greatest collection of the Egyptian antiquities among which one can see the treasures of King Tutankhamen.

Rate Per Person 70 $
** The Citadel and Khan El Khalili Bazaar
One of Cairo’s most popular tourist attractions, as well as a highly visible landmark on Cairo’s skyline. You will also visit the most famous bazaar in the Middle East, built in 1382, Khan El Khalili, once known as the Turkish bazaar during the Ottoman period.

Rate Per Person 40 $

** Dinner Cruise & Folkloric show
Enjoy a marvelous night while having dinner on a cruising restaurant on the river Nile entertained by a traditional Egyptian folkloric show including Belly dancing.
Rate Per Person 60 $

** City of Memphis & the Pyramid of Sakkara
The city of Memphis was the first capital of the unified Egypt, there you will see an immense stretch of ruins including a colossal statue of Ramses II. Sakkara is the location of the principal necropolis of ancient Memphis, dating from the time of the foundation of the city 3100 B.C. the site covers an area of 900 hectares, crowded with burials which span the much of the whole period of Egyptian antiquities.
Rate Per Person 55 $

** Sound & Light Show at the Pyramids
Enjoy a spectacular show at the Pyramids of Giza, using the latest techniques of both art and science in narrating the history of ancient Egypt with magnificent sound and light effects. The show duration is one hour.
Rate Per Person 30 $

** Old Coptic Cairo
This Area is the oldest part of Cairo. It is believed that there was a settlement here as early as the 6th century B.C. Later, the Romans built a fortress here which we know today as “Babylon”. Some of these Romans walls still exist today. After the spread of Christianity in Egypt, it became a Christian stronghold. Among the churches which you will be visiting El-Mu’llaqa church { the hanging church }, the Greek-Orthodox church of St. George, the church of Abu Serga and the crypt of the Holy Family beneath it, the church of St. Barbara & the Synagogue of Ben Ezra.
Rate Per Person 30 $

** Alexandria ( Lunch Included )
The Second largest city of Egypt, Alexandria, known as “The Pearl of the Mediterranean” has an atmosphere that is more Mediterranean than Middle eastern, it’s ambiance and cultural heritage distance it from the rest of the country although it is actually only 225 km from Cairo. founded by Alexander the Great in 332 B.C. Alexandria became the capital of Egypt. Among the things you will be visiting are the Montazah Gardens, Pompeii’s Pillar, the Greco-Roman Theatre, Catacombs at Kom el Shoaf and a panoramic visit of the Fortress of Quait Bay.

Rate Per Person 90 $ ( min 2 persons )

** Valley of the Whales & Fayoum
Departure in the morning ( around 08:00 ) we will drive direction of Fayoum Oasis, 110 km from Cairo, on entering Fayoum we will visit Kom Oshim Museum & karanis, then we continue to Qarun Lake then will proceed to Wady Rayan we will enjoy the beauty of the water fall, then we will cross desert to reach Wady Hitan (the area recently designated a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and where around 400 fossil skeletons of whales has been found, dating back millions of years ). on the way we will have a stop at Modawara mountain to enjoy the beauty of the lake and land escape, reaching Wady Hitan we will discover the site on feet then we will reach the camp site to have our lunch. Tea & coffee will be served after lunch. Drive back to Cairo.
Rate Per Person 125 $ ( min 2 persons )
Rate Per Person 85 $ ( min 4 persons )

General Information

The event will have an opening and closing function including the official awards ceremony.

Social Functions will be arranged.

Further details will circulated in due course.

Climate

The month of July is hot and dry in Cairo

Duncan Dixon of New Zealand overcame local hero H. Shaker (Egypt) to become the first holder of the WCF Under 21 Golf Croquet Championship, in Cairo, Egypt.

Report (by Chris Clarke)

Monday

This is a really good event. We have an entry where 75% of players are trying to play high quality GC and probably 40% are succeeding. It is 10 times better than watching the pit-pat games at Cheltenham last month.
I watched two matches in detail yesterday. The first was between Taha and McIntosh. McIntosh was always a hoop ahead in the first and had played very well with plenty of fine clearances. However, an excellent 12 yard power clearance at 11, gave Taha the edge and he took the first 7-5.
Mcintosh had bad luck at 6 and 7 in the second and despite a valiant attempt lost the second 7-5. It was a match in which I could have lost to either player.
The last match to finish was Jarrod Coutts vs Malcolm Fletcher at 01.30. The first game was excellent with Jarrod always having the edge until he turned down a 5 yard hoop 13 in favour of a clearance and was unlucky to block his other ball from clearing Malcolms other. Malcolm duly ran his 5 yard hoop.
The second game saw Malcolm improve an his already excellent play. I know I have said it before, but whilst I think Robert Fletcher is an excellent player, I will not be surprised if Malcom is better still. All the Fletcher boys combine excellent physical skill with fine court presence and a sportsmanlike demeanour.
Elsewhere, Rachel Rowe had a fantastic win over Noura Nezar. Whilst the play wasn't as strong as in the two matches above, it was nevertheless a fine performance.

In terms of the potential winners, I have been very impressed with Ahmed Yasser (Yasser Esmats son). I expect him to win the top half which is full of Egyptians.
In the bottom half, I'm hoping for a Dixon vs Keeman quarter final to guarantee a Kiwi medal. I expect the other quarter to be between William Gee and Robert Fletcher and believe that Robert is the favourite to reach the final.

However, it's golf croquet - so anything could happen!

Tuesday

The tournament is really hotting up now.
More congratulations for Rachel Rowe who beat Sandy Younan 7-6 in the third with a good hoop 13 under pressure. She was never likely to trouble Robert Fletcher who is now in the last eight.
William Gee needed 3 games to overcome Kieron Murphy.

The big match was between the Egyptian number 1 Ahmed Yasser and Taha. This was a match full of power and aggression (in my opinion too much). Many very fine shots were played, but several hoops were also failed. I find it difficult to judge between how good the very aggressive players are compared to the more balanced players. Anyway, after much good play, Taha won 7-6 in the third.
M. Taha will now play H. Shaker (who I haven't really watched yet) in one quarter

Malcolm Fletcher had a comfortable 7-5 7-1 win over Soha Moustafa to set up a quarter final against probably the best Egyptian left, Hamy Erian who is a fine player.

Jared Keeman comforatbly beat A. Osama before playing James Goodbun in the last 16. Having taken the first equally comfortable, Jared simply got worse with James playing some good 5 yard take-outs. The next two games were equally easy wins for James who should be delighted with a qf place.

The last match to finish (at 01.50) was between Duncan Dixon and Saher Tarek and was a thriller. The first went 7-6 to Tarek, but Dixon easily took the second 7-3 and went 6-2 up in the decider. Tarek came back to 6-4 before taking on 7 yard penultimate with Duncam 3 feet in front of the hoop. He ran this and then ran rover from 10 yards with Duncan 3 feet of front of that. With 40 people making as much noise as 40 people can whenever Tarek did anything during the match, Duncan now calmly took 2 foot position at 13 (to no Egyptian applause, just as there had been none for a fantastic jump shot earlier in the match). Misses from Tarek allowed Duncan to take the third 7-6 to eliminate the last Egyptian in the bottom half. This was a fine performance with some of the best tactical options I have seen from any of the players here. Duncan was pretty good up to 7 yards, but missed most of his longer clearances on the few occasions he felt compelled to attempt them.

The Egyptians left in a worried frame of mind since all the mixed nation matches went to the non-Egyptians yesterday.

Wednesday

Another fantastic days play.
First game up was Taha vs Shaker. This was high power aggression with Shaker taking a close match.
Next was Hamy Erian vs Malcolm Fletcher. I thought that this was the best match of the event so far. Malcolm went game and 3-2 up, but Hamy is a really excellent balanced player and despite Malcolm hitting most of his 20 yarders in the rest of the match and running most of his hoops, 3 missed 7 yard clearances were enough for Hamy to squeeze a win.

Duncan Dixon and Robert Fletcher both had easy wins against James Goodbun and William Gee respectively.

The first semi-final was great. Shaker was on top form and won in straight games. When an aggressive power player hits their peak form, they are close to unbeatable.

Duncan vs Robert was a thriller. Both players played well with Robert taking the first and Duncan then raising his game in the second. Duncan ran 4-b from the East boundary just south of the peg to take a 6-4 lead and subsequently level the match. The third was also close. It reached 4-4 and Duncan failed to get position at 3-b, finishing 2 yards West of the hoop. Robert now opted to play a cut rush on partner rather than taking 3 yard position, which I thought was an error. He rushed to 6 yard 20 degree position and failed the hoop to go 5-4 down. After some play at 4-b, Duncan ran the hoop from corner 4 to take a 6-4 lead, but Robert fought back to level at 6-6.
Duncan was now unable to get in front of 13 unless he jumped over Roberts ball a foot in front of him, so opted to dribble up behind it, Robert played away sideways, leaving the other 2 balls on the south boundary. Duncan played to the north boundary and Robert took 2 yard position. The other 2 ball both finished about 5 feet away at 15 degrees. Duncan cleared his 5 yarder by 20 yards to wired position.
Duncan now had a 5 foot hoop for a place in the final, but could only jaws it.
Robert now had a 5 foot jump shot for a final berth, but hit the crown so Duncan will now face Shaker in the final.

This is the first opportunity for there to be current world champions from the same family. Shaker is the son of Iman (Womens world champion).
It should be a great final. If Shaker plays at his best, he will win, otherwise Duncan may have the edge. The big question is can Duncan get into the match to apply the necessary pressure to Shaker.
Only time will tell - a great event.

Thursday

As the pressure built before the final, we were treated to the play-off games for position. James Goodbun had some more excellent wins to take 5th place - a wonderful achievement.
In the 3/4th play-off, Hamy Erian beat Robert Fletcher. Hamy has impressed me throughout the event.

The final started at 7pm with Duncan winning the toss and taking 3 foot straight position with blue. After yellow had missed, he then ran the hoop to 4 feet in front of 2 which he duly converted into a 2-0 lead.

From that stage, Duncans play was excellent. He combined excellent positional play with good tactics, a range of mid to hard take outs and constantly ensured that Shaker was put under pressure. Duncan played within his comfort zone and his opponent failed to reproduce the standard that he had achieved against his Egyptian opponents the previous day.
Duncan won the first game 7-3 and the second 7-4.
At 2-2 in the third, Shaker was about to take on a tricky angled hoop 5 when he called himself for a fault (touching the ball). This was fine sportsmanship and he is to be commended.
The third game reached 5-5, but just as the crowd were building themselves up into a frenzy, Duncan ran a good penult to take a 6-5 lead. Shaker was always on the back foot at rover and a two foot rover saw Duncan Dixon become the first ever Under 21GC world champion - many congratulations.

After the prizegiving, we were treated to a Gala dinner where the 4 Kiwis sang their national anthem and then Coutts and McIntosh performed an excellent haka. Indeed, it was so popular, they did an encore!!

Great tournament. Well done to the WCF, the Egyptian Federation and to all the players who supported the event. I hope that England, Scotland or Ireland will look to hold another event in 2011.

Knockout Stage

The draw for the knockout stage (Adobe Acrobat pdf file 48kb)

Draw for Positions 3 - 8 (Adobe Acrobat pdf file 41b)

Draw for Positions 9 - 16 (Adobe Acrobat pdf file 41b)

Draw for Positions 17 - 24 (Adobe Acrobat pdf file 41b)

Draw for positions 25 - 32 (Adobe Acrobat pdf file 44kb)

1st Round Knock-Out

K. Ghamri bt M. Hassan
M. Fletcher bt D. Johnston
A. Enan bt R. O'Donoghue
A. Osama bt W. Synott
D.Dixon bt B. Harris
K. Murphy bt J. Gleeson
R. Rowe bt N. Nezar

2nd Round Knock-Out

M. Taha bt H. McIntosh
H. Shaker bt M. Hassan
M. Fletcher bt J. Couts
A. Enan bt M. Nezar
J. Keeman bt A. Osama 2 / 0 -7/4-7/6
D. Dixon bt O. Enan 2 / 0 -7/3-7/5
K. Murphy bt D. Saad 2 / 0 - 7/3-7/5
R. Rowe bt S. Younan 2 / 1 - 7/3-3/7-7/6

3rd Round Knock-Out

M. Taha bt A. Yaser 2 / 1 - 4/7-7/4-7/6
H. Shaker bt A. Elibyari 2 / 1 - 4/7-7/4-7/3
M. Fletcher b. S. Moustafa 2 / 0 - 7/5-7/1
H. Erian bt A. Enan 2 / 0 - 7/2-7/4
J. Goodbun bt J. Keeman 2 / 1 - 4/7-7/3-7/3
D. Dixon bt S. Tarek 2 / 1 -6/7-7/3-7/6
W. Gee bt K. Murphy 2 / 1 - 7/3-4/7-7/6
R. Fletcher bt R. Rowe 2 / 0 -7/4-7/5

Quarter-Final Stage

H. Shaker bt M. Taha 2-1
H. Erian bt M.Fletcher 5-7 7-6 7-4
D. Dixon bt J. Goodbun 2-0
R. Fletcher bt W. Gee 7-5 7-5

Semi-Final Stage

H. Shaker bt. H. Erian 2 / 0 -7/5-7/6
D. Dixon bt. R. Fletcher 2 / 1 -7/5-4/7-7/6

Final

D. Dixon bt H. Shaker 3 / 0 -7/3-7/4-7/5

Position Play-Off's

Positions: 3 - 8

J. Goodbun bt. M. Taha 10 / 8
M. Fletcher bt. W. Gee 10 / 8
M. Taha bt W. Gee 10 / 9
H. Erian bt. R. Fletcher 10 / 7
J. Goodbun bt. M. Fletcher 10 / 6

H. Erian - No. 3
R. Fletcher - No. 4
J. Goodbun - No. 5
M. Fletcher - No. 6
M. Taha - No. 7
W. Gee - No. 8

Positions: 9 - 16

A. Yaser bt. R. Rowe 10 / 7
J. Keeman bt. A . Enan 10 / 7
S. Moustafa bt. S. Tarek 10 / 0
A. Elibyari bt. K. Murphy 10 / 0
S. Moustafa bt. A. Elibyari 10 / 6
R. Rowe bt. A. Enan 10 / 9
A. Yaser bt. J. Keeman 10 / 8
A. Yaser bt. S. Moustafa 10 / 8
J. Keeman bt A. Elibyari 10 / 9

A. Yaser - No. 9
S. Moustafa - No. 10
J. Keeman - No. 11
A. Elibyari - No. 12
R. Rowe - No. 13
A. Enan - No. 14
S. Tarek - No. 15
K. Murphy - No. 16

Positions: 17 - 24

H. McIntosh bt. S. Younan 10 / 9
M. Nezar bt. A. Osama 10 / 9
J. Couts bt. O. Enan 10 /0
M. Hassan bt. D. Saad 10 / 7
H. McIntosh bt. M. Nezar10 / 8
J. Couts bt. M. Hassan10 /3
A. Osama bt. S. Younan 10 / 5
D. Saad bt. O. Enan 10 / 0
S. Younan bt. O. Enan 10 / 0
M. Hassan bt M. Nezar
J. Couts bt H. McIntosh 10 / 9

J. Couts - No. 17
H. McIntosh - No. 18
M. Hassan - No. 19
M. Nezar - No. 20
A. Osama - No. 21
D. Saad- No. 22
S. Younan- No. 23
O. Enan - No. 24

Positions: 25- 32

W. Synnott bt R. O'Donoghue 10 / 7
B. Harris bt D. Johnston 10 / 9
K. Ghamri bt J. Gleeson 10 / 7
N. Nezar bt W. Synnott 10 / 7
K. Ghamri bt B. Harris 10 / 5
J. Gleeson bt D. Johnston 10 / 7
B. Harris bt W.Synnott 10/6
R. O'Donoghue bt J.Gleeson 10/6
N. Nezar bt. K. Ghamri 10 / 4

N. Nezar - No. 25
K. Ghamri - No. 26
B. Harris - No. 27
W. Synnott - No. 28
O'Donoghue - No. 29:
Gleeson - No. 30
Johnston - No. 31

Groups

The Group play has been completed in the first ever Under 21 World Croquet Championship. Players from five countries are represented in the Event (Egypt, England Ireland Australia and New Zealand.)

On day one the Egyptian players seemed to dominate but on the second day the visitors perhaps getting more used to the conditions played much better. It seems to me that the Championship really is wide open.

Group Winners who receive a bye to the last 16 of the knock out were Ahmed Yaser (son of Yaser Esmat), Amr Elibyari, Soha Moustafa (who as a fifteen year old competed in the first Women’s World Championship in 2005), Hamy Erian and Saher Tarek -all of Egypt and James Goodburn(England), William Gee (England) and Robert Fletcher (Australia).

In the early rounds of the Knock out Malcolm Fletcher (Australia) has looked impressive winning matches against Danny Johnston(Ireland) and Jarrod Couts (New Zealand). Also through to the last sixteen are Duncan Dixon (New Zealand), Kieran Murphy (Ireland), Jared Keeman (New Zealand), Hussan Shuker(Egypt)and Mohamed Taha(Egypt).

GROUP A
Player	AY	MF	BH	SY	Wins	Place
A. Yaser		10-1	10-6	10-6	3	1
M. Fletcher	1-10		10-8	6-10	1	3
B. Harris	6-10	8-10		6-10	0	4
S. Younan	6-10	10-6	10-6		2	2



GROUP B
Player	MN	JG	KM	MH	Wins	Place
M. Nezar		9-10	10-7	10-7	2	2
J. Goodbun	10-9		10-5	10-4	3	1
K. Murphy	7-10	5-10		10-8	1	3
M. Hassan	7-10	4-10	8-10		0	4



GROUP C
Player	HS	WG	RO	AO	Wins	Place
H. Shaker		9-10	10-8	10-6	2	2
W. Gee	10-9		10-2	7-10	2	1
R. O'Donoghue	8-10	2-10		7-10	0	4
A. Osama	6-10	10-7	10-7		2	3



GROUP D
Player	OE	RR	HM	SM	Wins	Place
O. Enan		10-3	10-3	5-10	2	2
R. Rowe	3-10		7-10	8-10	0	4
H. McIntosh	3-10	10-7		6-10	1	3
S.Moustafa	10-5	10-8	10-6		3	1



GROUP E
Player	HE	JC	JK	NN	Wins	Place
H. Erian			10-4	10-2	2	1
Jacob. Carr
J. Keeman	4-10			10-9	1	2
N. Nezar	2-10		9-10		0	3



GROUP F
Player	MT	RF	WS	AE	Wins	Place
M. Taha		6-10	10-4	10-4	2	2
R. Fletcher	10-6		10-6	10-9	3	1
W. Synott	4-10	6-10		7-10	0	4
A. Enan	4-10	9-10	10-7		1	3



GROUP G
Player	ST	JG	JC	KG	Wins	Place
S. Tarek		10-5	10-6	10-8	3	1
J. Gleeson	5-10		4-10	2-10	0	4
J. Couts	6-10	10-4		10-3	2	2
K. Ghamri	8-10	10-2	3-10		1	3



GROUP H
Player	AE	JC	DJ	DD	DS	Wins	Place
A. Elibyari			10-4	8-10	10-6	2	1
James Carr
D. Johnston	4-10			3-10	8-10	0	4
D. Dixon	10-8		10-3		3-10	2	3
D. Saad	6-10		10-8	10-3		2	2

Media Releases

WCF Media Release

21st October 2008.

-start-

First WCF Under 21 Golf Croquet Championship to be held

Following consultation with WCF member associations, an overwhelming number of respondents support the vision of holding an Under 21 yrs Golf Croquet World Championship.

The Egyptian Croquet Federation has kindly agreed to host the inaugural event which will take place in Cairo from Saturday 18th to Thursday 23rd July 2009 at the Egyptian Croquet Federation, El Gazirah Club and Cairo Club lawns.

The event will be open to any player of a member association who is under 21 years of age on the 31st December 2008.

A range of accommodation to suit all budgets is being sourced in Cairo and further details will be made available in due course. Players will be met upon arrival at Cairo airport.

The month of July is hot and dry in Cairo and to accommodate this, play will commence daily at 5.00pm. Players should be prepared to play under floodlight conditions whenever required to do so and well into the late evening.

Non-playing supporters accompanying a player are especially welcome.

No specific allocations will be made to member associations for this event and there is a wish that all members will send at least one representative. If any member wishes to send more than five players, please check availability of places with the WCF Secretary-General.

No entry fee will be charged.

Player registration will take place at the event and a player will be required to produce a passport or national identity card to substantiate their identity and age.

Due to the short time left to prepare for this event, Appendix A of the WCF Sports Regulations will not apply and the closing date for nominations for this event shall be 31st January 2009.

All nominations to be forwarded to the WCF Secretary-General.

For those who are under 18 on the 18th July 2009:-

WCF Child Protection procedures will apply with parental / guardian permission being required and a chaperone of suitable character and maturity accompanying the relevant player(s). The chaperone shall be arranged by the nominating member association and, at their discretion, this may be another player in the same event who is 18 years of age or over at the initial date of travel and who is willing to accept that responsibility.
the nomination must include:-
- the WCF under age release form of the nominated player(s) with relevant written parental / legal guardian permission;
- the WCF medical history form.

(Copies of the forms and full Child Protection Guidance can be found on the WCF web site at:- http://www.wcfcroquet.org/Guidance/childprotectionhome.htm).

Further details of the 1st WCF World Under 21 Golf Croquet Championship will be released in due course.

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Photographs

By David Openshaw: