The Samoa Squash Open 2024 started at Tuanaimato on Thursday and the tournament has attracted participants from Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Papua New Guinea.

Samoan rep Mason Smales, 20, is ranked 194 in the Professional Squash Association (P.S.A.). He hopes to leave a mark in this tournament.
 says he started playing squash at the age of 6.

"I've been playing squash for 14 years now. I picked up the racket when I was about six years old," he said.

"The first person in my family that picked up the squash racket was my grand uncle Peter Fatialofa so he was the one who got us all into squash. Then it's been passed down to our family and now all of our family are playing.

"I like the social side of the squash, it's real fun and you're always having a good time. It's a tough sport to play, and tough on the body so it's physically tough. It's definitely great for fitness and health."

Australian pro Nate Norris is also at the tournament to claim a prize.

"I've been playing squash for 13 years, I started playing when I was 11. So it's been over a decade. Squash is kind of like my life, it's my job, it's my passion, it's my hobby. I work as a squash coach, train and play as a professional squash player," he said. 

"Looking forward to a lot of fun, a lot of good memories, a lot of friends, and hopefully me and Mason will have a very good match at the end of the final if we get there. I suppose there are some good players in the semi-finals too but it'll be great."

The tournament is divided into six divisions. They are Open Grade, Men's Division 1, Men's Division 2, Women's Round Robin, and Doubles Division 1 and 2. It is a three-day tournament, starting on Thursday evening and finished on Saturday.