KUALA LUMPUR: Egyptian squash legend Amr Shabana believes that squash in his home country cannot improve any more than it already has.

Egypt is, without a doubt, the top nation in squash. It has four women – Nour El Sherbini (No. 2), Raneem El Welily (No. 3), Omneya Abdel Kawy (No. 6) and Nouran Gohar (No. 7) – in the world’s top 10.

In the men’s tour, five of the world’s top 10 are Egyptians, led by world No. 1 Mohamed El Shorbagy, Omar Mosaad (No. 4), Ramy Ashour (No. 5), Karim Abdel Gawad (No. 8) and Tarek Momen (No. 10).

Amr Shabana

And the 36-year-old Amr, who is the first-ever Egyptian world champion, believes that the bubble is about to burst.

“Everyone thinks squash in Egypt is in a good position now but, if anything, I think it’s a dangerous situation for us,” said four-time world champion Amr, who retired last year after an illustrious 21-year career.

“Over 25% of the world’s top 50 are from Egypt and we have so many world junior champions and British Junior Open champions.

“This is a level that can’t go up anymore ... we’re bound to drop off a bit in the future.

“It’s not good for us, but it is good for the sport because this means that everyone else has to raise their game.

“There will always be a switch in who dominates squash. Previously, it was Pakistan, then England, then Australia for a little while ... who knows who’ll be next.”

Amr, who is the Egyptian national team director, said that the main reason Egypt improved so fast “is due to the competitive culture instilled since young”.

“Back in the days when I was a junior, we played without rules. It was one big pot of players and you’re really only as good as the people around you,” said Amr.

“And then there is always at least one champion in Egypt where the younger kids can target.

‘Winning a world junior title is nothing to these kids because anyone can do it. Now the juniors in Egypt are aiming to win it multiple times.”

Amr also added that he has no regrets leaving the professional tour as he enjoys his role in guiding the next generation of Egyptian players.

“I probably retired too late ... having been in the game for so long. Towards the end of my career, when I was no longer the crazy young guy ... I felt like I was in a place of my own,” said Amr.

“I have no regrets retiring and I enjoy helping the likes of Nour and Nouran get on the right track.”

Amr, who is here for the Naza Women’s World Championship, must be a proud man as he watched six out of his eight charges – Nour (El Sherbini), Nour (El Tayeb), Raneem, Omneya, Nouran and Nadine Shahin – move into the second round.