WSF Instant Update
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WSF Instant Update ISSUE 60 JANUARY/FEBRUARY 2016 To: ALL WSF MEMBER NATIONAL FEDERATIONS cc: WSF Regional Vice-Presidents, WSF Committee Members, PSA Members, Accredited Companies WSF MEMBER UPDATE – OLYMPIC GAMES their review and takes a decision related to the Dear colleague, proposed additional events, which will be done at the 2016 IOC Session, they will move forward with Those of you who were at the WSF AGM in Nice will detailed planning for additional showcasing and remember from my report that, although Tokyo had promotional opportunities. The Tokyo 2020 not proposed Squash for their edition of the Olympic Organizing Committee has confirmed that they would Games in 2020, I had stated that I would continue to appreciate having the chance to discuss these with push for the inclusion of our sport in future Olympic Squash. Games Programmes. The IOC has also stated that it is equally likely there will be showcasing opportunities available at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires. This has been discussed with the Organizing Committee of these Games who are also keen to work with the IOC and the WSF. The strategic review of the Youth Olympic Games was outlined in IOC Agenda 2020 Recommendation No.25, wherein it said that changes to the composition of the programme of the Youth Olympic Games would also be decided at the 2016 IOC Session. Once this is done, the IOC have stated that they would like to explore this opportunity with the World Squash Federation. I will report back to Member Nations as and when there is news, but for now let me conclude with an extract from a letter sent to me by Mr. Kit McConnell, IOC Sports Director, on 18th December 2015 to illustrate how the IOC views us: “Quote” ‘Rami please be assured of the value the IOC places on the relationship with World Squash and the strength of our partnership for the development of your sport and your athletes. We greatly look forward to the possibility of exploring the opportunities outlined above for the global promotion of your sport, the reiteration of the importance of squash within the Olympic Movement and the showcasing of your athletes’. “Unquote” Recently, at a meeting in Lausanne with the IOC My best wishes to all Member Nations in the New President Dr. Thomas Bach, IOC Director General Mr. Year. Christophe De Kepper, the Sports Director Mr. Kit McConnell and others, the following points emerged Yours in Squash, from the discussions: While Squash was not proposed by the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee, it was made clear that there N. Ramachandran may be showcasing opportunities available to Squash N Ramachandran at these Olympic Games. The IOC’s Agenda 2020 President also has highlighted the importance to have a “Sports (Above left, Mr Ramachandran pictured with Dr Bach at lab” at the Olympic Games. Once the IOC completes the meeting in Lausanne) POLAND IS HOSTING WSF JUNIORS 2016 AUSTRALIA TO HOST 2016 WORLD DOUBLES Just three years after Australia will host the 2016 WSF World International first hosting a world Doubles Squash Championships. championship in the Featuring Men’s, Women’s and Mixed events, the sport, Poland has been event will take place at the Darwin Squash Centre selected by the World from 15–19 August. Squash Federation to The hosts will defend both the Men’s and Mixed gold stage the 2016 World medals – and seek to reclaim the Women’s title lost Junior Squash to New Zealand in the previous championships. Championships. The 2016 championships will provide ideal Under the auspices of preparation for the 2018 Commonwealth Games in the Polish Squash the Gold Coast, as well as the 2019 Pan-American Federation, the event Games. Australia were also double Doubles gold will be held in the city medallists in the 2014 Commonwealth Games in of Bielsko-Biała from 6 Scotland. - 17 August. Squash Australia CEO Richard Vaughan (left) The event will comprise the Men's and Women's commented: “Squash Individual Championships, followed by the Men's Australia are delighted to Team Championship. be welcoming the World "Hosting the World Juniors next year is a huge Doubles Championships to challenge for all my team and we're very happy to Darwin. Australia has a bring such an event to our squash-booming region," proud Doubles history and said Maciej Klis (pictured above), owner of Enjoy once again we will be Squash, the venue for the championships. hoping to challenge for "We see massive potential in this event and so our medals. “The new Darwin modern 10-court facility will be well prepared! Squash Centre will be a great venue, close to the "We will try to provide the highest level of Polish airport and as Darwin is only a few hours flight from hospitality and make things as easy as possible for all Asian hub Singapore we would be hopeful of getting the young players, parents and coaches. Also there many nations competing.” will be an all-glass court provided by Squash Promotion Group and installed in the heart of Bielsko- ___________________________________ Biała city right under our classic castle. WSF COACH EDUCATION PROGRAMME (CEP) The motto ……. During the eight months of 2015 after the Programme started we "The motto for the whole event will be "work hard to have qualified 262 WSF Level 1 get exposure" as we think the need of presenting coaches and 65 WSF Level 1 squash to the public is a strong desire of any player," tutors. Klis continued. "We're also sure that the level of our To see information about the WSF beloved sport will be very high, so all our squash CEP courses, tutors and Regional / community will be looking forward to seeing all the National Course Manager lists please go to: great matches." http://www.worldsquash.org/ws/coaching- The World Junior Championships have long been a development/coach-education-programme stepping stone to adult success since the first You can also see a list of WSF Level 1 Coaches and championship took place in 1980: The current Tutors at: Egyptian world number ones are both double World http://wsf.tournamentsoftware.com/view/coaches.aspx Junior Individual title winners - Mohamed Elshorbagy WSF Level 2 will begin in three months’ time. in 2008 & 2009, and Raneem El Welily the women's champion in 2005 and 2007. ________________________________________ WSF WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP REGULATIONS The WSF World Championship Regulations have been Official WSF Magazine updated following decisions taken at the recent WSF Gregory Gaultier talks about his long journey to a first Board and Championships Committee meetings, and world title after four previous final failures. the 2016 edition is now available for downloading from the WSF website. The direct link to them is at: Also, Ian McKenzie remembers revered Egyptian Coach http://www.worldsquash.org/ws/wp- Dardir El Bakary, who died recently. content/uploads/2015/12/Championship-Regulations- V7.pdf For these features and more, please click here: http://www.squashplayer.co.uk/features/features.htm The Version Control on page 5 lists all the latest amendments for easy indication of the updated ones. Page 2 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP TITLE IS GREGORY “I couldn’t finish off the match but you always learn GAULTIER’S ….. AT LAST! from losses and it was an experience. I lost four times and I kept wondering if it was ever going to happen. I just kept on believing in myself, kept on working hard. I was always disciplined.” The victory propelled him to the top of the PSA World Rankings. “It’s my fourth time as World No.1, it’s always a target,” added the man who triumphed in the wake of the Paris attacks in his home country. “I train to become the best and it’s magic when it happens. It is the cherry on the top of an amazing day and it’s amazing to share it with the people around me who work so hard as well. Heartbreaking ...... “Our hearts were broken with what happened in 32-year-old Frenchman Gregory Gaultier ended nine Paris - all the French people and all around the years of heartbreak to win the most prestigious world. So many people came to talk to me and tournament in squash at the fifth time of asking, support me about it. There should be peace in this defeating Egyptian Omar Mosaad in the final of the world and respect. Whoever you are you have to give 2015 PSA Men’s World Squash Championship in respect to people. There should be no terror and Washington, USA. today we put on a great fight, but it was a fight with respect on and off court.” Gaultier had tasted bitter defeat in four previous finals, none more so than in 2006 when he Defeated finalist Mosaad added: “Gaultier is such an squandered five match balls against Australian David experienced player and to play against him is really Palmer, but produced a masterclass performance to hard. He played really well, put me in trouble but I defeat the hard-hitting Egyptian in straight-games to think I did a good job this tournament. I’m really seal the title and trigger scenes of emotional happy to have reached the final and I’m looking celebration. forward to my next tournament.” “It’s unbelievable, there’s no words that can describe Gaultier had produced a masterclass against giant- this feeling,” said Gaultier. killer James Willstrop (below) to secure his berth in the title-decider. Willstrop had already taken out top seed and pre-event favourite Mohamed Elshorbagy and World No.5 Miguel Angel Rodriguez in stunning style to reach the last four but Gaultier was impeccable as he saw out the match in straight- games.