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13-year-old
Ethiopian Squash Player Shines at IOC Presentation
Today marked a crucial step for the sport of Squash in its bid for inclusion in
the Olympic Games from 2016. A team of six Squash representatives made
their most important presentation so far to the International Olympic
Committee (IOC) Executive Board in Lausanne, Switzerland.
But
it was the youngest member of the group, 13-year-old Hanna Fekede Balcha,
who was the star of the show.
Hanna is Ethiopian, but her family moved to San Diego, USA, when she was nine
years old to build a new life for themselves. Hanna was accepted to the Surf
City Squash program in San Diego which enables students to play Squash alongside
their studies. Through a structured programme which promotes hard work, both
academically and physically, Hanna has progressed to being a Grade A student as
well as Under 15 Urban Squash Champion. Her aspirations are now to push
boundaries even further in becoming the first member of her family to go to
university but also, at 20 years old, her dream is to represent Ethiopia at the
Olympic Games in 2016.
Hanna said: "I was really nervous but enjoyed doing the presentation today.
It has been amazing to travel to Switzerland and meet my hero, Nicol (David –
world number one squash player). I feel like squash has given me so many
opportunities that I wouldn’t have had otherwise that when I was asked to take
part in this presentation I jumped at the chance. I would be so happy to
compete at the Olympic Games."
Hanna joined the team consisting of IOC Member and World Squash Federation (WSF)
Patron, HRH Prince Imran of Malaysia; President of the WSF, N
Ramachandran; women’s world No1, Nicol David of Malaysia; former
world champion, Frenchman Thierry Lincou; and the up-and-coming South
African, Siyoli Lusaseni.
Prince Imran introduced the team, and the Executive Board was then shown a
spectacular video, highlighting a number of the key areas that squash believe
make them a worthy candidate for inclusion. Among these were the progression
the sport has made to be easier and more enjoyable to watch on television; the
pledge that the top athletes would compete; the range of nationalities that
would be represented (current rankings show there would be 30 different
countries involved); and the low cost and accessibility of the sport around the
world.
President Ramachandran went on to explain how the WSF has improved the
infrastructure of the game, and the way in which the professional organisations
work to ensure that Squash is totally ready to be easily incorporated into the
Olympic Games. He also talked about the ease and low cost addition of Squash as
well as how the sport can easily be hosted in any of the four 2016 bid cities.
The
players each outlined why, as athletes, the Olympic Games are so important to
them personally, and the many benefits which Squash can bring to people’s lives,
and to the Olympics.
The
full Squash 2016 bid video can be seen here at:
http://www.squash2016.info/video/squash.mov
Ramachandran said: "I am very proud of the presentation we have put together
and what we have achieved in getting this far. I believe that we have showed
squash to its full potential. I know that we have much to offer the Olympic
community, and I hope that the IOC will see the merits of our inclusion.”
For
bid information please visit
www.squash2016.info
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