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13/11/2015
psa news
The Professional Squash Association (PSA) have reiterated their
desire to overhaul the existing World Squash Federation (WSF)
structure in order for the sport to progress.
PSA Chairman Ziad Al-Turki and CEO Alex Gough attended the WSF
Conference and Annual General Meeting in Nice, France easier this
month and challenged WSF leadership on a range of topics including
accountability for recent failures in the sport’s bid for Olympic
inclusion.
In addition to a delegate calling for WSF President N. Ramachandran
to resign, other questions were raised about Ramachandran’s apparent
conflict of interest in also leading the Indian Olympic Association
(IOA), the persistent allegations related to his affiliation with
the IOA, and the degree to which the negative press associated with
it were a liability to the sport of squash.
From these meetings and discussions, a coalition of national squash
federations, in partnership with the PSA, proposed the formation of
a ‘Global Task Force’ which will function independently from
squash’s world body, the WSF. The task force will analyse the
current situation globally for squash, assess the various roles that
must be in place to ensure a solid foundation for growth while also
competently supporting the sport’s ambitions for Olympic inclusion.
Squash is already part of all Regional Competitions around the
world, and is surging in popularity in areas including the United
States and Eastern Europe.
“The professional tour has garnered a huge amount of momentum over
the past few years, including the amalgamation between the men’s and
women’s tours earlier this year,” said Al-Turki.
“Prize money for the tour and awareness of squash is on the
ascendancy and women are approaching full parity on compensation and
opportunities to compete. A clear and concise strategy supported by
best practice governance is needed now more than ever to both
support the sport at the grassroots globally, and to ensure that
squash fulfils its great potential.
“We will continue to liaise closely with all member nations over the
coming weeks and months with the joint goal of developing the
strongest possible structure and leadership for the sport.”
French Federation President Jacques Fontaine, who had introduced a
motion at the AGM to form with representatives of Member National
Associations a Working Group focused on these issues, is expected to
take a leadership role in this independent initiative.
”While it is always preferred to operate within the current
structure to effect change, we see advantages to working directly
and closely with other federations and the pro tour to determine the
best path forward for governing squash,” Fontaine said.
“France has made progress in the sport, both at the grassroots, in
its elite programmes, and hosting major international competitions,
and we would like to see progress of this kind at the global level.
The more clearly we articulate roles among all the parties involved,
and empower national federations to work in partnership with the
professionals managing squash and the pro tour, the more successful
a necessary new deal for squash will be.”
In response to the proposed formation of the task force, US Squash
Chairman John Fry said, “We have for a long time supported World
Squash in hosting World Championships, serving on committees and the
most recent efforts to secure Olympic inclusion, including
contributing significantly towards financing the effort. We
encourage this close cooperation among federations and the
professional tour, the key stakeholders in the game, and will
support the task force in any way possible, and in particular, any
focus on development efforts at the grassroots.”
Egyptian Squash Association’s President, Assem Khalifa added, “With
so many Egyptians, men and women, competing at the highest level
globally, it is critical that we have leadership that effectively
supports the sport. A task force that brings together the elite
professionals in squash and the federations that are driving the
sport’s growth, evaluating how to move the game forward in a
positive way is very welcome. A fresh start may be needed, certainly
change is a must.”
Squash leaders in all parts of the world including Australia, where
the sport was once surging and is now competing with other
activities to retain share of mind, were also supportive of the
formation of an independent group to evaluate next steps for squash.
Richard Vaughan, CEO of Squash Australia said, “We need
best-in-class governance, strategy and leadership to support
squash’s growth globally.”
More than a dozen countries are said to already be part of the
coalition and additional announcements are expected in the coming
weeks as next steps and timelines are formulated.
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