PST’s McManus Calls Reported PSA Ban A Back-Handed Compliment
from DailySquashReport.com
December 14, 2011 - In response to yesterday’s report that Pro Squash Tour players Bradley Ball and Ned Marks have been excluded from the local qualifying draw for the January PSA Tournament of Champions, the PST has issued the following statement:
Pro Squash Tour (PST) Commissioner Joe McManus today called the most recent ban by the U.K.-based Professional Squash Association (PSA) “a back-handed compliment."
A year ago, the PSA banned its own members from competing in PST tournaments. On a few occasions over the past year, PST players have competed as local wildcards in PSA tournaments. The rationale for wildcards is to promote local fan interest in tournaments. PST does not place any outside restrictions on its players and has encouraged participation in this fashion.
“I didn’t mind our players playing in PSA events,” said McManus. “I viewed it as being good for the game, even if it was to help the PSA and their events.
"There is an obvious fear that PST players, even with a bad seeding, would do too well in PSA events. Yesterday’s ban is actually the highest compliment we ever received from the PSA,” continued McManus.
“It appears this ban, once again, is singular in focus. PSA is continuing with its Local Wildcard program – just not for PST players.”
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