Tag Archives: World Squash Federation to add Squash to Olympics programme

Approbation from Squash Afficionados

Players worldwide are eagerly waiting for the chance to compete in the Olympics and win medals: Joshna Chinappa. File photoPlayers worldwide are eagerly waiting for the chance to compete in the Olympics and win medals: Joshna Chinappa.  The Hindu .File photo

Squash has been shortlisted by the International Olympic Committee for consideration in the 2020 Olympic Games.

The news has been greeted with enthusiasm by the squash fraternity by and large. “We are delighted that squash has been included on the IOC’s shortlist again,” said PSA CEO Alex Gough.

WSF’s backing

The World Squash Federation has been leading the bid to have the sport added to the Olympic programme.

Reacting to the development, the WSF President N. Ramachandran said, “We are delighted to be given this new opportunity. I am confident that we will be able to show the IOC Programme Commission, the Executive Board and wider IOC membership that our case has become even stronger over recent years.

Great Olympic sport

“I truly believe that squash will be a great Olympic sport. It fulfils all the criteria for inclusion in the Games, has proven universality and growth and we have an absolute commitment from all our top athletes that an Olympic medal would be the pinnacle of their careers.”

“We also have high-profile World champions, exciting World championships for men and women, massive participation from juniors to masters on all continents and a healthy, thriving programme of youth development worldwide,” he said.

Innovations

Mr. Ramachandran also mentioned the “exciting technical innovations” in recent years, including courts that could be put in iconic settings.

“Squash is a wonderful example of one-on-one sporting gladiatorial competition and should make a perfect addition to the Games,” he added, saying

“Our campaign starts with new energy and vigour.”

PTI adds:

“Players worldwide are eagerly waiting for the chance to compete in the Olympics and win medals,” said top woman player Joshna Chinappa.

Indian men’s squash ace Saurav Ghosal, meanwhile, said that players world over were confident that the sport will become part of the Olympic movement sooner than later.

“Players worldwide were more than happy and confident that the Squash would become part of Olympic movement sooner than later with the game being shortlisted by the world body,” said Ghosal, world ranked 26th.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / Special Correspondent / Sports > Other Sports / Chennai / Jul 05th, 2011