Issue 33, July 2011

Instant Update ISSUE 33

July 2011

To: ALL WSF MEMBER NATIONAL FEDERATIONS cc: WSF Regional Vice-Presidents, WSF Committee Members, WISPA, PSA, Accredited Companies

FROM HEADQUARTERS........... As I write, we await the IOC decision about which sports make the shortlist for the next Olympic bid. News will reach us from the IOC gathering in Durban which takes place 4 – 9 July. We are very positive about being on the ticket, and you can be sure that WSF is ready to hit the ground running with a very well directed and managed bid. But more on that after confirmation is received. What you can see in this Instant Update is that there is a good deal of positive news on championships, both current and new. For the ongoing events, the superb marketing and promotion surrounding the Men’s World Teams in Germany is instructive for any major event hosts; the Men’s and Women’s World Opens will undoubtedly be superbly presented; and the organisers of the World Juniors in Herentals and Boston are developing strong showings as well. There is also the new WSF World Junior Circuit, with accompanying quarterly Under 19 World Rankings, which are sure to stimulate interest for the burgeoning talents of our sport. On the refereeing side the new electronic three referee console system, developed by ASB and available now for hosts of all-glass and centre courts events is ready. So too are WSF standard three referee cards, which all promoters are encouraged to use by WSF, PSA and WISPA. Busy times, and while the spike of the Olympic bid announcement in early July will be eagerly awaited, the world of squash is moving on apace in many areas. Finally, let me thank all those member nations who have completed the WSF Survey so that we now have updated participation, court, referee, coaching and so much more important data......there are still a few days left for the few members who haven’t yet done so to support the survey too!

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________________________________________________________________ WSF WORLD JUNIOR CIRCUIT GETS UNDERWAY The WSF has given world junior squash a boost with the introduction of the WSF World Junior Circuit and accompanying World Junior Rankings. The first events are already in place including this month’s World Junior Individual Championships in Belgium (men) and USA (women), in advance of the first WSF Junior Ranking Lists appearing in October. Forthcoming National Junior Opens that are already registered include Hong Kong, India, Denmark and USA. These Under-19 age groups events, along with the regional championships that take place on the continents of the world - with the World Junior Championship titles at the pinnacle - form the WSF World Junior Circuit. Results from these events will be used to compute quarterly WSF World Junior Rankings for young men and women at Under-19 age level. The WSF will not be setting regulations for the events, but once the rankings are up and running they will certainly provide a strong guide for seedings, and for the world rankings that players can use to measure their progress. As WSF President N Ramachandran pointed out when announcing the initiative,: "Our member nations and regions go to great lengths to foster the development of young talent and we can now recognise their efforts at world level by linking together the calendar and providing world rankings. "We already know that this principle has been well received within the sport and we look forward to seeing our talented youngsters from across the world benefitting from it." Events, Full details of the circuit and rankings system can be found at www.worldsquash.org

_________________________________________________________________ AUSTRALIA HOSTS WSF WORLD COACHES CONFERENCE Working With Elite: Approaches For the Elite Squash Coach is the title of the 10th WSF Squash Coaching Conference which will be held in Canberra from 10-12 August to coincide with the 2011 Australian Open. The event will take place at the city's Australian Institute of Sport and will feature keynote addresses and presentations from a number of leading international coaches including Geoff Hunt and Liz Irving and the Australian High Performance Group including Head Coach Byron Davis and recentlyappointed successful Commonwealth Games coach Anthony Ricketts. Inevitably places will be limited, so would-be participants need to sign up now to ensure taking advantage of the Canberra conference programme. For booking details, visit http://www.squash.org.au/sqaus/development/WSF_Coaching_Conference.HTM

_________________________________________________________________ CAIRO WILL HOST THE WORLD JUNIORS 2012 Following an inspection of the planned facilities and hotel in Cairo, the World Squash Federation (WSF) has confirmed that the 2012 WSF World Junior Championships have been awarded to the Egyptian capital city. The events feature the World Individual Under-19 titles for both men and women (7-12 July), followed by the Men's Team Championship (13-18 July). Egypt was the confirmed host for this year's WSF Women's World Junior Individual Championship - but the civil unrest in the country at the end of January led to the WSF relocating the event to Boston, USA. Welcoming the latest news, Egyptian Squash Federation President Assem Khalifa said: "Egypt is always very happy to host squash championships and I want to thank WSF for their understanding in changing the year and giving us this opportunity after the unexpected uprising. "Our juniors will be very pleased to play a world championship in our country, and we also look forward to welcoming players from around the world to the Land of the Pharaohs." WSF Chief Executive Andrew Shelley, who had travelled to Cairo to finalise the arrangements, explained: "At the time of our relocating the Women's World Juniors earlier this year, we said that we wished to return to Egypt as soon as it was reasonable to do so. "Now we can make good on that with the expectation that the situation in the country will continue to stabilise and that the superb hosts of so many world and other international events will provide a memorable twelve days for the cream of world juniors."

_________________________________________________________________ WSF AGM ALONGSIDE THE WORLD OPENS Member nations should have recently received detailed arrangements for the 41st Annual General Meeting and Conference in Rotterdam, hosted in conjunction with the Squash Bond Nederland and planned alongside the World Open on 3 – 5 November to allow delegates to get the best combination of squash, business and pleasure. The theme this year is Spreading the Word, featuring presentations on marketing, media, presentation and development, amongst other topics on the general theme of communication. One presenter will be Khalid Ali, Secretary General of the European Sports Security Association (ESSA) who will explain to members some of the issues surrounding online betting. (ESSA was established in 2005 by the leading online sports book operators in Europe to monitor any irregular betting patterns or possible insider betting from within sports. PSA are signed up to them to support the streaming output that includes wagering options.)

_________________________________________________________________ SQUASH LOSES TWO.......... SERGIO RODRIGUEZ JARAMILLO In early May the world of squash was struggling to come to terms with the sudden loss of one of its most distinguished international figureheads. Sergio Rodriguez Jaramillo, Founder and President of the PanAmerican Squash Federation (FPS), was shot dead while being driven in a car in his home city of Medellín, Colombia. The popular 52-year-old worked in the construction industry, but was totally immersed in sport. He was a key figure in the success and operations of the IX Southamerican Games Medellín 2010, and was Mayor of the South American Games Village.

By 1996, Rodriguez was a member of the Executive of the Colombian Olympic Committee - and later became Treasurer. His work both in the Olympic movement and in Squash made him an internationally respected sports leader who was very much appreciated by his colleagues around the world. In lamenting the loss of Rodriguez, WSF President N Ramachandran said: "The untimely death of Sergio Rodriguez is a great shock and a terrible tragedy. First and foremost for his loved ones, but squash and sport in general has lost a great friend whose contribution has been enduring. He will be greatly missed." Sergio's leaves a wife Marta Luz Vega, and three children Marcela, Federico and Martin. His untimely loss to his family, friends and sport, is a shocking tragedy. YOUSEF HUSSAIN ASHKANANI It is with sadness that we report the death of Yousif Mohsen Ashkanani in a motorbike accident in May. Yousif served squash both in his capacity as Secretary General of the Kuwait Squash Federation and also during his two terms as Vice-President of the Asian Squash Federation (2001-2005, 2005-2009). Yousef was both popular and respected in squash circles and his warm personality will be very much missed.

_________________________________________________________________ WSF LAUNCHES UNDER 21 WORLD CUP The World Squash Federation has added a new dimension to its world squash championships' roster with the launch of the WSF Under-21 World Cup. The inaugural U21 World Cup - an entirely new biennial event introducing a new age-group category in the sport will take place in Chennai, India, from 1-5 February 2012. The new championship will be for mixed teams of two men and one woman, following the highly successful format of the biennial WSF World Cup. It will be held in the alternate years of the WSF World Cup (won by Egypt, left, in 2011) - and will be staged in 2012 at the same Express Avenue Mall venue which hosted the 2011 World Cup. "The new championship will provide a great showcase not only for the cream of juniors but those who are transitioning as seniors, as well as those Under 21s who are already established," said WSF CEO Andrew Shelley. "We believe this adds a significant new world championship opportunity to our portfolio of events - one which will benefit both players and regional federations," Shelley continued. Srivatsan Subramaniam, Secretary General of the Squash Rackets Federation of India, added: "We are very pleased that the WSF has allotted us the inaugural WSF U21 World Cup. This new event follows a series of events supported by the Sports Development of Tamil Nadu who are supporting sports and especially squash in the southern city of Chennai. "We welcome all U21 players from around the world to come and have an unforgettable experience."

________________________________________________________________ ATTENDING THE WSF WORLD REFEREEING CONFERENCE? There is still time to register for the 13th World Squash Refereeing Conference in Paderborn on 19-20 August, immediately preceding the Men's World Team Championship being staged in the German city. The two-day World Squash Federation conference, from 19-20 August and supported by the German Squash Federation, has taken the theme of Scaling New Heights: Pathways to Success, and features a varied topic list designed to help referees improve their techniques and knowledge. Full details of the Conference can be found at www.worldsquash.org.

_______________________________________________________________ WSF REFEREE APPOINTMENTS The WSF Management Committee decided in 2010 to combine World Referees (WR) and International Referees (IR) with effect from the 2011 Review. All are now called WSF Referees (WSFR). Meanwhile, the annual review of WSF Referees has just been completed. WSF Assessors, players on the world tours and international promoters gave their views on the candidates who had been nominated by their national federations as having met the exacting standards introduced in 2010 for all WSF Referees.

Three WRs, eight IRs and seven new candidates were considered by the 23 reviewers. The outcome means that Ralf Harenberg and Thomas Wachter from Austria, Srikanth Sheshadri from India, Wayne Smith from Canada and Peter Zobelein from Germany are to be congratulated on being appointed WSFRs for the first time as part of the group of twenty one. (A full list of current WSFRs is available on the WSF website).

_______________________________________________________________ PAKISTAN’S TOOR PAKAY GOES TO CANADA ......extract from a report by Jasmine Budak for The Toronto Globe And Mail As a girl growing up in the lawless tribal region of northwestern Pakistan, it’s a marvel Maria Toor Pakay was able to play squash, let alone become the country’s top female player. With glaring talent, the support of her “broad-minded” father, and despite regular death threats, the feisty Pashtun prodigy became a national champ just two years after picking up a racket, and would become the first woman in Pakistan to break into the world top hundred. But increasing violence and terrorism in her homeland have recently driven 20-year-old to Canada, where squash legend Jonathon Power has vowed to coach her until she becomes a world champion. “Once I saw her play, I knew what she could become,” said Power, who retired as world No. 1 in 2006. “And I know what it’s like [in Pakistan] for girls, so it was amazing to me how she managed to get so good.” Pakay is from South Waziristan, a Taliban stronghold near the Afghanistan border, a place rife with suicide bombings, kidnappings and air strikes. Husky and fearless, Pakay was different even as a child. She cut her hair short and wore her brother’s clothes. She was strong, hot-tempered and liked to brawl with the boys, who were oblivious to her gender. When she was eleven, Pakay’s father, a liberated college lecturer, moved the family to nearby Peshawar, a city with schools, sports complexes and more opportunities for his six kids. There, Pakay briefly took up weightlifting before discovering squash at 12. When she didn’t have a coach, Pakay trained alone. In the early days, she would hit a ratty, taped-up ball for eight to 10 hours a day. She practised footwork while housecleaning. And when it was unsafe to venture outside, she would hit the ball against her bedroom wall. As she started winning international tournaments and her profile widened, death threats against her family became more frequent. “They told my father they would kill us,” Pakay said. “Because as girls we bring dishonour to the family by going to school and playing sports.” Meanwhile, Taliban terrorism and clashes with Pakistani forces in the region made life – and training – difficult. “It was all around us – kidnappings, killings, suicide bombings,” Pakay said. “Female doctors and teachers were being killed. So what was I to do? I could not train, I could not go to tournaments. I knew I had to leave.” HUNDREDS OF EMAILS........ Over several months, she wrote hundreds of e-mails – courteous and businesslike – to squash clubs across the U.S. offering her coaching services in exchange for the opportunity to train with peace of mind. “Nobody replied,” she said. “I was so upset.” When she saw a posting last summer for a job at Power’s new National Squash Academy in Toronto, she wrote an emotional plea. Power and fellow squash coach Jamie Nicholls wrote back immediately and got to work trying to wrangle a visa. Power found her a rooming house and raised money for her first tournament. “Bringing Maria here fits with my mindset and my model,” Power said. “I built this place to develop people and ideas.” For Power, there is also a familiar exhilaration that comes with reliving the rise to champion status, which he says is an imminent prospect for Pakay. But still, winning tournaments and climbing world rankings present an uneasy scenario for Pakay. She worries more exposure about her successes could bring danger to her family back in Peshawar, but believes her achievements could open doors for girls in the region. “Do they not think women want to play sports?” she said of religious militants. “Do they think we want to live inside four walls all our life?”

_________________________________________________________________ WORLD TITLES ON THE WAY Men’s Junior Individuals in Herentals From 2012 onwards the annual male and female World Junior Individual championships will be held together each year, followed by the men’s team event in even years and the women’s one in odd years. So this year’s stand alone event hosted by the Belgian Squash Federation will be the last. Egyptians will be the ones to beat for the event being played 13 – 17 July. Amr Khaled Khalifa is set to become only third man to win the title twice when he defends his crown as the 18-year-old from Cairo is named as top seed in the championship which will take place at the Flemish Squash Centre in Herentals.

Khalifa (pictured) will be aiming to maintain Egypt's unbroken grip on the trophy since 2004, when Ramy Ashour won the first of his record-making two titles, followed by history-repeating double-title victories by Mohamed El Shorbagy in 2008 and 2009. And it will be Mohamed's brother Marwan El Shorbagy who is expected to provide Khalifa's stiffest opposition in Belgium. The 17year-old from Alexandria is seeded to meet the title-holder in the final in a repeat of the 2010 championship's semi-final in Ecuador, where Khalifa won in five games. Pakistan provides the two 3/4 seeds, Danish Atlas Khan and Nasir Iqbal, both 17-year-olds from Peshawar. El Tayeb is Top Seed for the Women's World Juniors Originally due to be staged in Cairo, the 2011 Women's World Junior Individual & Team Squash Championships are now being played at Harvard University in Boston, thanks to an agreement between the WSF and U.S. SQUASH.......with the hosts having high hopes of medals. For the first time in history, hosts USA can expect to have two players in the semi-finals of the Individual Championship, according to the draw. New York-based Amanda Sobhy became the first US player to win a world singles title at the 2010 championship - but the 17-year-old defending champion will be the No2 seed at the 2011 championship from 20-25 July. Egypt's Nour El Tayeb (pictured) has been named as top seed. The 18-year-old from Cairo finished as runner-up both in the 2009 and 2010 championships - but is now ranked 17 in the world and has beaten Sobhy, ranked three places lower, twice since losing to the younger left-hander in last year's final in Germany. But there will also be high US hopes from Olivia Blatchford, the 18-year-old from New York who is seeded to reach the semi-finals. One of a handful of players competing in the event for the fourth successive year, Blatchford reached the quarter-finals in 2010 before losing to El Tayeb. There will also be great expectations in Egypt for the other 3/4 seed Nour El Sherbini. The 15-year-old from Alexandria became the youngest world champion of all-time when she clinched the 2009 World Junior title in India against expectations - at the age of 13! There will be sixteen nations chasing the Team title held by Egypt immediately after the conclusion of the Individual event. Record breaking Men’s Team Entry for Paderborn A record-equalling 32 nations will compete in the 2011 Men's World Team Squash Championship in Paderborn, Germany, from 21-27 August. Ukraine and Namibia will be making their maiden appearances in the prestigious biennial World Squash Federation championship which will be staged in Germany for the first time in its 35-year history. Early action will take place eight pools of four before moving into a knockout second phase. Defending champions Egypt (right) will be joined in the 2011 event by Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bermuda, Canada, Colombia, Denmark, England, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong China, Hungary, India, Ireland, Italy, Korea, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Namibia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine and USA. Men’s & Women’s World Opens together in Rotterdam The most important championship in 2011 on the PSA & WISPA World Tours will start on October 28th with the finals scheduled for November 6th, in the Dutch City of Rotterdam. The organizers of the Men’s and Women’s World Opens are NextSquash and their tournament partners Rotterdam Topsport and Squash Bond Nederland. The renowned Luxor Theatre will play host to the last four days (3-6 Nov) of the championship. An all glass court will be erected on the stage of the theatre in the harbour city which has a seating capacity for 1.500 people. The early stages of the championship (28 Oct - 2 Nov) will be played at Victoria Squash, one of the most successful squash clubs in the Netherlands, which boasts 12 squash courts.

World Open WSF Wild Cards Member federations have received an application form which enables then to nominate players to receive WSF qualification wild cards at the Men’s and Women’s World Open in Netherlands in conjunction with PSA & WISPA. The deadline date for nominations to the WSF is Friday 2nd September 2011. Full details are on the circular but one important one is that Priority will be given to Nations not already represented in the World Open draws. Another is that if the nominated player is a PSA/WISPA member, he / she must have actually entered the event. And the WSF AGM too And alongside the play in Rotterdam will be the WSF Conference and AGM held 3 – 5 November. WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2011 DIGEST Previously: World Cup, Chennai, India (8 – 12 March) World Hardball Doubles, Toronto, Canada (3 – 6 May) To come: Men’s World Junior Individual, Herentals, Belgium (13 – 17 July) Women’s World Junior Individual & Team, Boston, USA, (20 – 30 July) Men’s World Team, Paderborn, Germany (21 – 27 August) Men’s & Women’s World Open, Rotterdam, Netherlands (28 October - 6 November)

_______________________________________________________________ WSF ENDORSES ASB REFEREE SYSTEM The World Squash Federation (WSF) is backing an innovative new referee system developed by German squash court manufacturer ASB. Final modifications of TopSquashReferee, a digital scoring system which electronically links the three referees operating on all-glass show courts, were made at the recent WSF World Cup in India. Developed in conjunction with leading WSF international referees, the ASB TopSquashReferee system features iPods as referee terminals, working wirelessly to compute the decisions and display them for players and spectators on screens alongside the scores. Now endorsed by WSF, TopSquashReferee can not only be designated for use at WSF World Championships but will also undoubtedly be in demand by event promoters who can introduce it to offer spectators an added element of interest as they watch decisions flashed up on a screen. The screens can carry promotional messages in addition to the scores. But importantly, the system takes forward the decision-making process into the digital arena. In welcoming ASB TopSquashReferee, WSF President N Ramachandran explained: "Everybody in squash works hard to improve the quality of management of matches along with their presentation. "So, this ASB innovation will be a great asset to the professional game, and promoters alike. We are delighted that they have developed such an effective, easy-to-use and presentationally-exciting product for our sport." Specifications - along with purchase details, including a 20% introductory discount - can be found at: http://asbsquash.com/squash-court-renovation/topsquashreferee/

_________________________________________________________________ WSF STANDARDISE REFEREE CARDS Recognising the need to develop the three referee decision signalling system, beyond hand signs for use at events, WSF has standardized a WSF Three Referee Decision Card. Each decision spoke has the decision identified by letter and colour and can be clearly seen by the central referee; and importantly, not by the competing players. The cards in various forms are already in use in some places, but now referees everywhere can do so, and not by making cards at home! Their use is encouraged at all events, in conjunction with PSA and WISPA. To order sets of three cards go to www.worldsquash.org

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________________________________________________________________ BUILDING PROJECT – JUST FINISHED New fitness oasis in Strasbourg, France The new Wellness Centre EVAE Strasbourg, France offers a huge variety of sports including ten badminton courts, six table tennis tables and seven ASB System 100 squash courts, one of them a rainbow training court. The spacious centre offers space for five hundred active people at a time, including three halls for groups (dancing, aerobics, spinning). An exhausting training routine can be completed in the wellness oasis of the centre. In addition to sauna and massage rooms there is a 10x16m swimming pool. The fitness session can be rounded off in the restaurant and club area. The bilingual staff also attracts customers from nearby Germany - a real benefit for the Strasbourg - Offenburg region.

_______________________________________________________________ MATCHMAKING AT THE WSF AGM! Rainer Müller, Vice-President and Chairman of the Teaching Commission of the German Squash Federation travelled to Nepal recently to conduct a coaches` clinic using the framework of a development programme established by the German Squash Federation. The contact between the German and Nepalese Federations was established during the last WSF AGM in Chennai (India). During the meeting Nepal SRA President Amar Simha presented a video on Squash in Nepal and requested support from fellow federations. This was immediately answered by German Squash Federation President Wolfgang Bauriedel. “In the frame of international support for Squash development and to develop the international connections of the German Federation it was a matter of course for me to offer our support to the Federation of Nepal”, he said, setting a great example for others. “We must offer a qualified training to our coaches and players to foster the roots of Squash in Nepal”, said Simha (left) commenting on the German aid. "This will enable us to go to schools and clubs in Nepal to train players. We do want to use the help coming from Germany to educate our educators". Rainer Müller had the opportunity to coach players and coaches during 10 days intensive training and clinics. He coached three groups of players, Juniors, men and women and covered a clinic for 29 athletes in total. “It was a thrilling experience to conduct this clinic with players and coaches from Nepal and I do hope that the project can show a sustainable effect on the Squash development in Nepal“, commented Rainer Müller, who also would like to see similar projects be offered by other WSF members. A picture gallery on the Nepal development project can be found at: www.deutschersquashpool.de

_______________________________________________________________ SEVERAL SNIPPETS............................. WISPA MOVE MEDIA MANAGEMENT IN-HOUSE After 15 years as the World Media Director for WISPA, Howard Harding will not be sending out results, reports and announcements for the women's association as this operation has now moved in-house. However he continues to provide the regular 'World Squash News' service on behalf of WSF and PSA in his role as World Squash Media Director. For WISPA media information contact [email protected] FITZ-GERALD GETS ENGAGED Five times world champion Sarah Fitz-Gerald (right), who heads the WSF Athletes Commission, has become engaged to Cameron Dalley. He’s from Sydney, she from Melbourne, and there is great happiness for them in both places and way beyond too. We add our warm wishes. WISPA APPOINTS LOFDAHL-BENTZER The Board of WISPA has added the position of Acting CEO to the title of Chairman Ingrid Lofdahl-Bentzer."Ingrid has been acting above and beyond her role as Chairman of the Board of WISPA so the Board felt it was a natural appointment to Acting CEO," said President Jaclyn Hawkes.

HONG KONG CELEBRATES To celebrate Hong Kong Squash's 50th Anniversary there was a gala dinner in June during which Heather Deayton, who was synonymous with HKSRA for so many years received a Most Distinguished Service Award, and alongside many other awards popular Coaching Director Tony Choi was recognised. A TV documentary was made too – shown on Jade channel of TVB at 23:00 on 25th June (Sat.), outlining the history, growth and achievement of squash in Hong Kong. .....SO DO THE RAC CLUB IN LONDON The centenary of squash at the Royal Automobile Club was also celebrated with a gala dinner. And here, not a TV documentary to follow, but a commemorative book. RAC commissioned John Hopkins, former sports writer at the Times, to pull the story of the first hundred years together - the book not so much the history of squash at one club but the story of squash at the early home of the game. A Celebration of 100 Years of Squash at Pall Mall by John Hopkins is available for UK£15 (including postage) in UK, with overseas postage rates on application. Contact: Greg Pearman ([email protected]) or Tel: + 44 20 7747 3368 FINALLY........A SCAM WARNING More than one national federation has received a letter purporting to be from the Nigerian SRA asking them to host a squad. It is not genuine. The Email address was [email protected] The correct Email address for the Nigerian Federation is: [email protected], and they would be pleased to check out any requests for members.

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_________________________________________________________________ Advertise here........ If you want to advertise in future Instant Updates which go to all nations, stakeholders, opinion formers and supporters of the world of squash contact [email protected] 25 Russell Street, Hastings, East Sussex UK TN34 1QU Tel: +44 1424 447440 Fax: +44 1424 430737 Website: worldsquash.org Chief Executive – Andrew Shelley: [email protected] Operations Manager – Lorraine Harding: [email protected] Operations Assistant – Jasmine Gibson: [email protected]

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