Psa Propose Global Squash Task Force

16 Nov 2015 | tshego

Share on

The Professional Squash Association (PSA) has stepped up its campaign against the World Squash Federation (WSF) by stating that a ‘Global Task Force’ has been proposed which will function independently from the sport’s world body.

PSA chairman Ziad Al-Turki and CEO Alex Gough attended the WSF Conference and Annual General Meeting in Nice, France earlier this month to reiterate their desire to overhaul the existing WSF structure in order for the sport to progress and challenged their leadership on a range of topics, including accountability for recent failures in the sport’s bid for Olympic inclusion and calling for WSF president N. Ramachandran to resign.

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 task force will analyse the current situation globally for squash, assess the various roles 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 areas including the United States and Eastern Europe.

Al-Turki commented: “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.

“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.

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.