PSA and National Federations Join together in Call For Urgent Changes by Nathan Clarke November 14, 2015
- In the wake of last week’s World Squash Federation (WSF) Conference
and Annual General Meeting, which took place November 4-6 in Nice,
France, the Professional Squash Association (PSA) have reiterated their
belief that the existing WSF structure must be overhauled in order for
the sport to progress.
PSA Chairman Ziad Al-Turki and CEO Alex Gough attended the AGM 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 within squash 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 several parts of the world 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 programs, 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.
