WISPA PROMOTIONAL  TOUR TO RUSSIA
13-22 June 2003

2004 Tour

23-Jun
Moscow Visit Celebrates
Princeton Birth of Russian Squash


The discovery that the birth of Squash in Russia is due to a Moscow Professor's chance introduction to the sport at Princeton University in the USA in 1990 provided the perfect climax of the WISPA promotional tour of Russia for the event's sponsor Tom Tarantino, a 1969 Princeton graduate.

The final day of the WISPA Tour, led by Australia's five-times world champion Sarah Fitz-Gerald and top European Vanessa Atkinson, the world No5 from the Netherlands, was held at the Le Meriden Moscow Country Club. The visit, hosted by the Russian Squash Federation, was the fifth annual tour organised by WISPA in its continuing drive to promote women's squash around the world.

It was in his fifties that Dr Vasily Borisov, a former University Professor, spent a month at Princeton researching a book he was writing on electronic TV inventor Vladimir Zwozykin. A keen tennis player, Borisov was intrigued by the new sport he came across - and eventually spent three of his weeks in the US having squash lessons with the University's esteemed and long-time Head Coach Bob Callahan.

On his return to Moscow, Borisov approached the country's tennis federation to find out why they had not devoted any time to the development of this alternative racket sport. The organisation cited a lack of time and acknowledged that a pile of squash correspondence had simply been left unanswered.

Borisov agreed to respond to the correspondence and by the following year had established an initiative group to develop the sport, securing modest funding from the Russian Committee for Physical Culture & Sports. Also in 1991, the first court was opened at the Club Prometey (now the World Class Centre) in Moscow and the fledgling group received a consignment of rackets from the European Squash Federation (ESF) and the French Federation.

In 1992, Borisov founded the Russian Squash Federation, which became a member of the ESF and later the World Squash Federation (WSF).

But in 1993, following the disintegration of the USSR, the RSF's state funding came to an end when the Physical Culture & Sports Committee was restructured as the country's National Olympic Committee, helping only Olympic sports.

"I was delighted when WSF Chief Executive Ted Wallbutton and the then President of the ESF came to Russia to join me in a meeting with the head of the NOC," said Borisov. "However, at the end of the meeting he told us, in English, that he felt that three racket sports were enough for Russia - then confided to me in Russian that if we were amongst the top countries in Europe, rather than somewhere near the bottom, he would have been able to help!" Vasily added.

Lack of funding prevented significant further growth until the late nineties when a group of enthusiasts blossomed simultaneously in St Petersburg and Moscow. A single-court club opened in central St Petersburg, owned by Irina Turkova, where national champions Alexei Severinov and Katja Glintchikova first played before moving to the newer five-court Hypersquash centre owned by Irina Podubnaya.

In Moscow, a small group of enthusiasts led by RSF Vice President Timur Burganov spent two weeks in Egypt honing their skills - and eventually persuaded local coach Ibrahim Assal to move to Moscow to become Russian National Coach.

"We don't have the funding to support him directly, but we promote his presence here and he is already coaching many enthusiasts as well as our top players and is making a significant impact," Burganov explained.

The visit to the Moscow Country Club attracted substantial interest both from the media and players wanting to witness the skills of the WISPA stars. The lavish club, home to the country's only 18-hole golf course, boasts a glass-back court with plentiful spectator capacity.

Vasily Borisov presided over a well-attended press conference at the club, outlining the background to the new sport's development in the country - hailing the WISPA visit as "a great event for Russian squash."

The on-court action presentation began with an eagerly-awaited clash featuring the in-form Vanessa Atkinson and Russia's respected national coach Ibrahim Assal - undoubtedly the best player based in the country. Not only his many pupils, but also numerous representatives of Moscow's Egyptian Embassy, were keen to see their hero quash his female opponent.

Atkinson, however, is made of sterner stuff - and manfully kept her determined challenger at bay, fighting back from 3-7 down in the second to win the best-of-three encounter 9-6 9-7.

Coincidentally, elsewhere within the Le Meridien Club complex, British Ambassador Sir Roderic Lyne was attending a multinational trade conference featuring dignitaries from all over the world - including Britain's former Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Sir Malcolm Rifkind.

Sir Roderic was keen to make up for missing the WISPA party's visit to his Embassy the previous night, and sought out Fitz-Gerald and Atkinson during an appropriate break. "We're discussing Iraq next, so I'd better get back to the meeting," said the long-time squash fanatic after talking to the stars - "but I'll be back later to watch your match," he assured the pair as he hurried back to his more formal appointment.

True to his word, he was back at court-side as Sarah and Vanessa displayed their world-class expertise on court much to the obvious admiration of the Ambassador and the enthusiastic crowd.

"Russia has severe six-month winters when many sports become impossible to play, so squash is a perfect sport for this country," said Sir Roderic, after expressing his delight that he had, after all, been able to see the WISPA stars in action. "It's worth noting that tennis was hardly known here a few decades back, yet now it's one of the most popular sports, with a number of Russian men and women amongst the world's elite."

Like the previous four international WISPA tours to 'spread the word' for squash - including countries such as the Czech Republic, Jamaica, El Salvador, Peru, Kenya, Thailand, Brunei and Sarawak - the Russian expedition to St Petersburg and Moscow clearly made a major impact.

"This visit has been a real step forward for us," said the young Federation's Vasily Borisov. "When the idea was originally suggested, we had no hesitation in accepting WISPA's kind offer as it is vital for our players and coaches to see a level of squash that most have simply not experienced before. We know we have got a long way to go, with more courts, more coaches and more players, but we hope this will have given us a major boost."

The visit was equally meaningful for the players. "When asked if I would go on the WISPA tour to Russia, I answered 'yes' without hesitation - and I was pleased I did," said former world No1 Sarah Fitz-Gerald, a Patron of WISPA who has led four of the promotional events. "The hospitality and enthusiasm was fantastic. Considering the size of Russia, with so few courts and such a short time that the sport has been around, their standard was impressive and their eagerness to be on court to play and learn with Vanessa and myself was truly uplifting."

Atkinson, the seven-times Dutch champion who was making her first appearance on a WISPA tour, added: "I have enjoyed this trip immensely - we were made to feel very welcome by our hosts in both St Petersburg and Moscow. Squash is a relatively new sport in Russia and the enthusiasm of all the people involved was really refreshing - making our job much easier. I am confident that we succeeded in our aim to promote the sport and hopefully we have contributed to the further development of squash in Russia."

WISPA Director Andrew Shelley, who masterminds the organisation's ambassadorial missions, explained: "It was a bit of a Noah's Ark trip this year. Lined up in pairs were two host cities; two eminent players, giving their time generously without fee; and twice as much local enthusiasm as we expected. Indeed, two will probably be the number of days needed to clear the effects of the hospitality vodka!

"We couldn't fail to be impressed by the efforts of the young Russian Federation and the single-minded efforts of enthusiasts to develop squash. The opportunity to add a little water to the seeds that they have sown is only a small aid, but we have been pleased to have played a role, courtesy of the wonderful enduring support from our sponsor Tom Tarantino. If enthusiasm is the determinant, Russians are already championship material!"

Philadelphia-based Tarantino has been an avid supporter and backer of WISPA's initiative for five years. And now this squash benefactor has been overjoyed to discover that the catalyst for his latest promotion was his own 'alma mater'! "Wouldn't it just be wonderful if a future Russian champion was able to go on to Princeton to hone his squash skills," Tarantino concluded.

 

Tour Preview

 Fitz misses
World Cup Feast


Welcome to St Petersburg

 WISPA vyes with Putin

Ukraine capitalises on tour

British Embassy in Moscow

 ФЕДЕРАЦИЯ СКВОША РОССИИ
Russian Squash Federation

 

 


Sarah and Vanessa meet three Russian soldiers outside the Kremlin in Moscow's Red Square

 

 

 

 


Sarah and Vanessa outside the Le Meridien Moscow Country Club with Russian Squash Federation President Vasily Borisov (centre), Vice President Timur Burganov (far left) and WISPA Director Andrew Shelley

 

 

 


Russian Squash Federation President Vasily Borisov (left) reminisces about his introduction to squash at Princeton University with 1969 graduate and WISPA Russian tour sponsor Tom Tarantino

 

 

 

 


Moscow British Ambassador Sir Roderic Lyne (second left) delights in finally meeting Vanessa and Sarah at the Moscow Country Club, with the club's General Manager John Wood

 

 

Tour Preview

 Fitz misses World Cup Feast

Welcome to St Petersburg

 WISPA vyes with Putin

Ukraine capitalises on tour

British Embassy in Moscow

 

21-Jun
British Embassy
Kicks Off Moscow Leg


Moscow’s British Embassy hosted the welcome event for the second leg of the WISPA promotional tour to Russia, led by Sarah Fitz-Gerald and Vanessa Atkinson.

WISPA’s fifth annual tour in its continuing drive to promote women’s squash around the world arrived in Russia’s capital city after four days in St Petersburg.

Sadly, the Ambassador had to attend the opening night of a special season of Britain’s Royal Opera Company at the Bolshoi Ballet Theatre in Moscow and was unable to host the WISPA party at his Embassy.

“As a long time (42 years) squash player, I am mortified to be missing your visit – but relieved to be spared the public humiliation on court!” said Sir Roderic Lyne in a personal message given to the WISPA stars.

The visit also attracted a crew from Stolitsa TV and journalist and photographer from the Itar-Tass national news agency - keen to meet the WISPA stars and discover more about squash.

Such is the low awareness of squash in Russia, that photographers and television cameramen need considerable guidance in how best to capture the sport visually. Furthermore, interviews become long-winded affairs as both questions, then responses, have to be translated.

The new British Embassy is one of three in Moscow to feature a squash court – the other two being at the US Embassy and the Indian (widely believed to be the first court constructed in the city). The British court is well-used by the 500 or so personnel based at the impressive complex.

The gallery was packed by Embassy staff and numerous invited guests and media who delighted in seeing Fitz-Gerald and Atkinson put a stream of squash enthusiasts through their paces.

“It was awesome to have players of Sarah and Vanessa’s calibre playing here and giving so many of us the chance to hit with them on court,” said the Embassy’s leading player Flight Lieutenant Peter Edwards, Head of the Admin Office in the Defence section, after a brief annihilation by former world No1 Fitz-Gerald.

“I know the Ambassador was gutted when he realised he would miss the visit – he’s such a keen player and would have relished the chance to try and get a point or two from the girls. We will do all we can to capitalise on this visit and spread the word for squash around the city,” Edwards added.

He concluded by wishing the group well for the remainder of their Moscow activities.
 


 


 


Sarah and Vanessa with their Embassy staff opponents Tracey Broadbent and (back row L to R) Paul Baker, Jonathan Aves and Peter Edwards

 

Tour Preview

 Fitz misses World Cup Feast

Welcome to St Petersburg

 WISPA vyes with Putin

Ukraine capitalises on tour

British Embassy in Moscow

 

20-Jun
Ukraine Capitalises
On WISPA Russian Tour

Ukraine’s top player Roman Dolinich thought nothing of taking a 90-minute flight to St Petersburg from his home in Kiev for the opportunity to meet and play with the two squash stars visiting Russia’s second largest city as part of the nine-day tour of the country organised by WISPA.

Whilst squash is in its infancy in Russia, the sport is even less developed in neighbouring Ukraine. Dolinich is based at the Aquarium Fitness Centre in Kiev, the largest such facility the country. However, such is the enthusiasm for squash being generated by Dolinich and his colleagues at the Aquarium that the one-court centre will be augmented by a further three courts before the end of the year.

Dolinich is also leading a bid to establish the country’s first national federation, based at the Aquarium. “We have had a lot of help from the from the World Squash Federation (WSF) and now hope that the new organisation will be fully established within the next three months,” said the 25-year-old.

Dolinich was revisiting the five-court Hypersquash Centre in St Petersburg, primary host of the WISPA visit to the city, where a year ago he won the St Petersburg Open. “It was very exciting to play both Sarah and Vanessa, and meet the WISPA team, and I would very much like to host a similar event to this in our country in the future,” said the avid squash enthusiast.

In July, Dolinich is staging the “Senior Aquarium Open”, to which players from Eastern Europe, Russia and the Baltic countries will be invited. While in St Petersburg, he received a phone call from local company Tez Tour, confirming that they would sponsor this new event – the first in the Ukraine.

Further news from home during his stay revealed that a major TV network in the Ukraine had screened a short feature on squash in one of its popular magazine programmes – marking the sport’s first TV exposure in the country!

“We proposed the idea to this TV network some time ago, so I am so glad they followed up our suggestion – and I look forward to seeing it when I get home,” said the tireless squash promoter.

WISPA Director Andrew Shelley added: “We are focussed on Russia, but to meet, talk to and help Roman and his efforts in Ukraine is an unexpected but welcome bonus for our visit.”

 

 ФЕДЕРАЦИЯ СКВОША РОССИИ
Russian Squash Federation


Roman Dolinich


squash.com.ua

 

HyperSquash Centre in St Petersburg
HyperSquash Centre

18-Jun
WISPA Stars Vie With
Putin For Russian Headlines


"My heart is crying that more people were not able to come and see world squash stars Sarah and Vanessa in action at our club on the final day of their visit," exclaimed Irina Podubnaya, owner of the Hypersquash Centre in St Petersburg, despite a packed gallery at the five-court club.

Australia's five-times world champion Sarah Fitz-Gerald and world No5 Vanessa Atkinson, from the Netherlands, were visiting Russia's second largest city as part of a nine-day promotional visit to the country, organised by the Women's International Squash Players' Association.

The WISPA visit, arranged in conjunction with the Russian Squash Federation, is the latest initiative in the Association's continuing drive to promote women's squash around the world.

Irina's despair was caused both by the decision two weeks earlier to call a four-day national holiday during the visit, as well as a last-minute decision by Russian President Vladimir Putin to pay a state visit to the city - causing whole sections of St Petersburg to be blocked off for security reasons! Putin's party were staying at the same hotel as the WISPA group, but the President was unable to fit in a meeting with the WISPA stars!

"To have Sarah and Vanessa at our club was the most fantastic honour - we have never seen such high quality squash on our courts and we are so grateful to them for taking time out to visit our club," added Irina at the end-of-visit celebrations.

The WISPA stars' exhibition match and those against local players were videod for screening in the club's reception as a permanent reminder of Fitz-Gerald and Atkinson's visit.

"The visit will undoubtedly inspire all those who met Sarah and Vanessa - as well as influence others to take up the sport," said the dynamic Podubnaya, who is just days away from giving birth to her second child!

"But it will also give a huge boost to the sponsorship potential of our forthcoming fifth St Petersburg Open, which we plan to stage here in September/October. It will be one of the biggest ever events held here, attracting players from all over the Baltic region including Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Ukraine, Yugoslavia, Poland and Bulgaria," Irina added.

The WISPA visit attracted unprecedented media attention for the sport in the region. "Women's Squash Champions Beat Our Best Players" screamed the headline of a prominent news story in the "Comsomolskaya Pravda", a hugely-popular national paper which sells an incredible 35 million copies a day and is a sister publication to the established Pravda newspaper.

The report acknowledged that "it was great luck for us to have this visit" and quoted Alexei Severinov: "I played three matches and lost them all." The writer concluded that the essential ingredient for future success for Russia in squash would be for the country "to have more experienced coaches".

The region's leading TV network also covered the visit, pointing out the appeal of squash to people of St Petersburg, where the city almost grinds to a halt in the winter when temperatures can reach as low as 40 degrees!

While in St Petersburg, Fitz-Gerald and Atkinson were also able to visit one of the city's oldest clubs, the Kosmonavtov Club. The two-court centre was founded in 1997 by enthusiast Pavel Sebirtsev, who discovered the sport when working in Finland. He also helped build a single-court club in the city's main street Nevsky Prospekt which opened two months earlier in August 1997.

The two clubs built up a nucleus of the city's earliest players and Sebirtsev is now President of the St Petersburg Squash Federation.

"Just seeing the personal enthusiasm which has enabled Pavel to actually build his two courts, allied with the commercial approach of Irina at her centre, makes the whole visit worthwhile," said WISPA Director Andrew Shelley. "These are people desperately striving to develop squash in Russia and, although we can only support in a terribly small way, it is the least that the pro end of the game can do for the future of our sport.

"If only we could help the Pavels and Irinas in so many other countries too."

The WISPA party now move to Moscow on the second leg of the visit.

 ФЕДЕРАЦИЯ СКВОША РОССИИ
Russian Squash Federation


Vanessa and Sarah pictured by the famous Bronze Horseman statue, a monument to Peter The Great, founder of St Petersburg in 1703


Hypersquash owner Irina Podubnaya receives a WISPA memento


Sarah and Vanessa flanked by
enthusiasts at the Hypersquash Centre


Overlooking the two courts at the Kosmonavtov Club in St Petersburg are (L to R): nationally-ranked player Katya Alexeeva, Sarah, Vanessa, and club owner and St Petersburg Squash Federation President Pavel Sebirtsev

16-Jun
St Petersburg Welcomes
WISPA Squash Ambassadors


Just two weeks after St Petersburg welcomed 50 of the world's leading heads of government, including US President George Bush and UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, to celebrate the 300th anniversary of its foundation, Russia's second largest city opened its doors to the fifth Women's International Squash Players' Association (WISPA) promotional tour led by Australia's five-times world champion Sarah Fitz-Gerald and world No5 Vanessa Atkinson, from the Netherlands.

The WISPA visit, arranged in conjunction with the Russian Squash Federation, is the latest initiative in the Association's continuing drive to promote women's squash around the world.

The main base in St Petersburg was the five-court Hypersquash Centre. Club owner Irina Podubnaya had organised a full itinerary which involved master classes, exhibition matches, press conferences and chances for local players to quiz the squash stars.

Irina refused to let the fact that she was due to give birth to her second child get in the way of her plans as she revelled in this unique opportunity for her young club.

Squash in Russia is very much in its infancy with the USSR Federation joining the World Squash Federation (WSF) only in 1993 after being formed in 1990. Built less than two years ago, the Hypersquash Centre became the biggest centre in Russia and staged the 2003 National Championships in January.

There are believed to be just 60 courts throughout the huge country, the five principal bases being Moscow, St Petersburg, Krasnoyarsk (a five-hour flight from St Petersburg!), Ekaterineburg and Kazan.

While Fitz-Gerald, the former President of WISPA and now Patron, was embarking on her fourth such WISPA expedition to raise the profile of women's squash, it was Atkinson's first time as a WISPA 'ambassador'. The 27-year-old from The Hague has made rapid progress up the world rankings over the past year to become the highest-ranked player ever from The Netherlands.

Members young and old flocked into the Hypersquash centre to meet the WISPA stars and join the elite players on court. "It was the most fantastic experience ever," exclaimed 16-year-old Alina Tuzlukova, who is touted as a "future squash star of Russia".

Katja Glintchikova, the striking Russian women's national champion, also joined the group eager to challenge the WISPA pair.

Another youngster inspired by the occasion was nine-year-old Michael Chpakov, who gave up tennis after four years when he discovered squash - and is now completely hooked on the sport.

Chpakov is coached by Alexei Severinov, the 24-year-old from St Petersburg who was first introduced to squash some six years ago and is now the Russian men's champion.

Inspired to give up also playing tennis when a visiting Pakistani student Kuram Javed pointed out his squash talent, Severinov became the first Russian member of the Professional Squash Association (PSA) just a year ago.

He made his international debut in the 2002 World Open in Belgium, where he lost in the first qualifying round to Welshman Gavin Jones. Alexei later played in a Qatar Circuit event, and an Austrian Challenger before reaching the quarter-finals of the Estonian Open in March when he lost to England's Mark Chaloner.

Now that he has finished his Management degree at St Petersburg University, Alexei is looking forward to focussing full-time on squash - concentrating on building up his fitness over the summer and working with Egyptian Ibrahim Assal, the Russian National Coach, in Moscow.

"Sarah and Vanessa's visit has been great for squash here - giving local players the chance to see a level of squash they have never seen before and showing what professional squash is all about. I am sure it will really motivate the young players.

"It has also helped me realise that I have a lot of work to do - but I am determined to put everything into my aim to break into the world top 100 within a year," said Severinov after games against both Sarah and Vanessa.

For many, the climax of the first day at Hypersquash was the exhibition match between Sarah Fitz-Gerald and Atkinson. Sarah, who withdrew from the WISPA World Tour in February, unbeaten for more than 18 months and top of the world rankings, had not played the fast-rising world No5 since the World Open in Qatar in October 2002.

It was an exhilarating encounter, with Sarah taking the opening game and Vanessa grabbing the second and leading 7-3 in the decider. The wily Australian dug deep, however, and fought back to win 9-6 7-9 9-7.

"Even though it was fun for us tonight, it still means something to win," Fitz-Gerald told the captivated crowd afterwards. Atkinson responded: "Sarah's actually retired - and she still beats me!"

The WISPA duo went on to answer numerous questions the St Petersburg fans had for them. "Squash is a great sport and you have a great club here with five excellent courts and good facilities," Fitz-Gerald told the crowd. "I hope we've given you an idea of what the sport has to offer and that people here like Alexei will continue to influence players and help them improve."

When asked about their visit, Vanessa added: "St Petersburg is a beautiful city, which reminds me of Amsterdam, with so many canals. We've had a great time, with everyone here being so enthusiastic.

"When you consider that the sport is so young here, with no experienced coaches in St Petersburg, the standard is very encouraging. There was one young boy in my group who clearly loved the sport, running around all over the court with such enthusiasm and showing real signs of talent."

 


 

The St. Petersburg Times Logo

Russian National Championships

 

 


Sarah Fitz-Gerald with
Russian national champions
Alexei Severinov and
Katja Glintchikova

 

 

 

 


Vanessa Atkinson with promising
 young junior Alina Tuzlukova

 

 

 

 


Sarah Fitz-Gerald coaches a
group of St Petersburg girls

 

 

13-Jun
RUSSIAN PROMOTION FOILS
FITZ-GERALD’S WORLD CUP BID

Australia’s five-times World Squash Champion Sarah Fitz-Gerald has been forced to decline an invitation to attend a star-studded ceremony featuring great Australian World Champions and Olympic Gold Medallists in her hometown of Melbourne to launch the 2003 Rugby Union World Cup.

“I am so disappointed and would love to have been there. It is a huge honour to have been invited,” said the former world No1 on the eve of her departure to St Petersburg, where she will begin a nine-day promotional tour of Russia for the Women’s International Squash Players’ Association.

Fitz-Gerald, who is Patron of WISPA, will be joined by Vanessa Atkinson, the world No5 from the Netherlands. The tour, which also visits Moscow, is part of WISPA’s continuing drive to promote women’s squash around the world.

The Tour itinerary, which has been arranged in conjunction with the Russian Squash Federation, will feature exhibitions, clinics, press conferences and meetings with sports bodies.

The main base in St Petersburg will be the five-court Hypersquash Centre which hosted the Russian National Championships earlier this year. Irina Podubnaya, the director co-ordinating the visit, explained: "It is a dream come true for us to have these top women come to St Petersburg. For us and our city where squash is still a young sport, it's a long-awaited event for which we have high expectations. Thank you WISPA.”

Several venues will be part of the Moscow programme. Vasily Borisov, President of the Russian Squash Federation, welcomes the visit, saying: "Interest in squash is growing in Russia, and we look forward to making squash a big sport in the country. To join with WISPA to bring top players will help us encourage our growing group of players as well as show squash to the newspapers and television.”

The event in Melbourne will take place before the Wallabies v England test match at the Telstra Dome on June 21. The champions will be ceremonially presented to the crowd as part of a 'show' which will include; video packages highlighting the athletes’ achievements, fireworks and live music performance. The athletes will finish on the main entertainment stage, where they will witness the finale to this show and the unveiling of the Rugby World Cup.
 
24-Apr-03
Fifth WISPA Promotional
Tour Targets Russia


The Women's International Squash Players' Association (WISPA) is continuing its drive to promote women's squash around the world with its fifth annual WISPA Promotional Tour in June to Russia.

The tour will be led by Australia's five-times world champion Sarah Fitz-Gerald, now the Patron of WISPA since her retirement from the international circuit earlier this year, and top European Vanessa Atkinson, the world No6 from the Netherlands.

The Tour itinerary, which has been arranged in conjunction with the Russian Squash Federation, will feature exhibitions, clinics, press conferences and meetings with sports bodies in St Petersburg and Moscow from 13-22 June.

The main base in St Petersburg will be the five-court Hypersquash Centre which hosted the Russian National Championships earlier this year. Irina Podubnaya, the director co-ordinating the visit, explained:

"It is a dream come true for us to have these top women come to St Petersburg. For us and our city where squash is still a young sport, it's a long-awaited event for which we have high expectations. Thank you WISPA."

Several venues will be part of the Moscow programme. Vasily Borisov, President of the Russian Squash Federation, welcomes the visit, saying:

"Interest in squash is growing in Russia, and we look forward to making squash a big sport in the country. To join with WISPA to bring top players will help us encourage our growing group of players as well as show squash to the newspapers and television."

WISPA Director Andrew Shelley added: "We feel it's vital to be pro-active with this kind of development support for squash, rather than sit back and wait for the market to grow. These promotional Tours do enable us to help in a small way.

"We are of course indebted to our two leading players for their part in this programme, as they give their time free," Shelley explained. "Although she has retired from the Tour, Sarah has always been keen to support such initiatives - and Vanessa, recent winner of the Irish Open, also had no hesitation in accepting our invitation."

WISPA's promotional tour concept was launched in 1999 with a visit to the Czech Republic. Successive years saw trips to Jamaica, El Salvador, Peru, Kenya, Thailand, Brunei and Sarawak.