Squash Still Has A Great Future, Says PSA
by Howard Harding

9 September 2013 - Despite being 'devastated' by the IOC decision to choose wrestling ahead of Squash as the 'new' sport to join the 2020 Olympic Games programme, the Professional Squash Association stresses that the sport has a 'great future'.

"We are obviously devastated, not only for the whole sport and squash fans everywhere, but for the players, current and future that have worked so hard for this," said PSA CEO Alex Gough.

"We can be very proud of the efforts of everyone and none more so than our world number one Ramy Ashour, who has put in so much time into the bid process.

It was at Sunday's meeting of the 125th IOC Session in Buenos Aires that Squash - shortlisted with wrestling and baseball/softball as one of three sports being considered for addition to the 2020 Olympic Games programme, and the only one never to have been in the Games before - lost out to wrestling.

"The presentation in Buenos Aires yesterday was something we can all be proud of - and shows the great future that squash has, with or without the Olympics.

"Our sport has much to offer the Games - let's hope that this is not the end of our Olympic journey."

Among numerous reactions from PSA members across the world, England's former world number one Nick Matthew perhaps summed up the feelings: "Despite today's disappointment the World of Squash can be massively proud of its efforts over these past 4 years."