POSTED: November 8th 2011

SpeakingUp

Squash stepping up their 2020 Olympic campaign with technology improvements

A stunning view of the main glass court in Egypt during an event / WSF

Madeline Perry signs her support letter with president N Ramachandran / WSF

LAURA WALDEN / Sports Features Communications

TAMPA: World Squash Federation President (WSF) N Ramachandran is looking to take squash to a higher level through technological enhancements to better the game and to foster the worldwide growth after the 2016 bid to get on the Olympic program.  

Ramachandran noted, “We know we have to show the International Olympic Committee that Squash is a fantastic product, and that we are not scared to innovate. 

"Over the past few years, since our last campaign for Olympic inclusion, the sport has progressed significantly with the introduction of SquashTV, “Video Review” technology, new and exciting showcourts with revolutionary lighting and an international ambassador programme. 

“It is vital over this next campaign that we communicate these innovations to the IOC to show just how far the sport has come, and what the exciting plans are for the future of our sport.

“Squash is a growing, global sport played by 20 million men and women on more than 50,000 courts in 185 countries. We have thriving men’s and women’s professional tours - more than 500 players from 74 nations compete on the men's tour and over 350 on the women’s. 

“Prize money is growing, as are the number of events across the world, and our global calendar would be a fantastic promotional platform for Olympic Squash. 

“It really is an exciting time for our sport.”

Professional Squash Association’s (PSA) SquashTV covered over 20 major events distributing to 20 broadcasters worldwide with a possible reach of 340 million viewers.

'Video Review'TV replay now allows for match officials to review decisions adding to the clarity of the game.

The 2011 Men's World Team Championship in August in Paderborn, Germany, launched the all-glass showcourt, complete with new larger glass panels, on-court air conditioning, a new floor and revolutionary lighting allowing the court to be watched center stage.

The men’s tour flourished with more than 125 events in 2011 marking a 59% growth over the past six years.  

The WSF Ambassador Programme will be launched later this month led by six-time World Open champion Nicol David.

David declared, “There is no question that the Olympic Games would be the absolute pinnacle of my career and I would happily trade all my 6 World Titles for Olympic Gold.” 

World Women’s No 3 Madeline Perry has also issued a letter of support for the bid saying that “Squash is a huge sport and to have the chance to represent my country on the world’s greatest sporting stage would be amazing, not just for me, but for all players around the world.”

Squash is competing with baseball, karate, roller sports, softball, sports climbing, wakeboard and wushu, as one sport could be added to the 2020 sports program that will be decided at the IOC session in Buenos Aires in 2013.

Keywords · WSF · squash · Nicol David · Madeline Perry · N Ramachandran

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