Monday, 25 February 2019

MBBS student Giovanni Francesco Dall’ Amico gets a call from the Cyprus National Rugby Team, while MD student Amien Al-Sadi becomes one of the best current squash players in Cyprus.

In a statement to MedNews Giovannis said: I started playing rugby at the age of eight.  I continued playing in high school in Italy and at university in the United States. Once I started on the MBBS programme in Cyprus, for two years I played for a team in Nicosia, and for a team in Limassol for one year. I began intensive training five to six times per week in order to become physically competitive and with the aim of getting the call from the Cyprus National team. This was often tough because the schedule of a medical student is very busy, so I had to make a few sacrifices. Luckily, that call arrived last summer and I was included in the 2018-2019 national squad. The vast majority of the players in the team live in England and a few play rugby for a living, making it a very competitive environment. As of today, I have played for Cyprus in both fall matches against Croatia and against Israel.  I plan on playing as long as my medical career allows me to do so. I am very proud and honoured to be a member of the Cyprus National rugby team.

 

Cyprus National Rugby Team.  Giovanni is sixth from left , standing row.

 

Amien Al-Sadi said: Having played squash in the UK for a few years I joined the local squash club when I joined the Medical School in Cyprus. I felt it was important to continue a sport that I enjoyed playing. Since joining the local club in Nicosia I have made my way up the Squash League and am currently ranked No.1 in the first division. I have competed in numerous tournaments and I have been successful in winning the National Squash Association Super Cup, The Christmas Tournament, and the Handicap Tournament twice.  I was encouraged to participate in the Cyprus Open 2018 last June in Limassol where I managed to reach the Quarter Finals, and I hope to enter again this year to get even further. In the summer of 2019, I am joining the Professional Squash Association (PSA) where I will be eligible to travel around Europe competing in tournaments and hopefully achieving a world ranking.

 

Amien in action