With squash getting the nod for being shortlisted for the Olympic Games 2020, the World Squash Federation (WSF) has been actively working to increase the chances of the sport finding a place in the Games.
A reflection of this was the recent initiative taken by WSF to meet IOC President Jacques Rogge in Hong Kong on the occasion of the presentation of the IOC trophy for sport and social responsibility to Mr. Stevenson, President Hong Kong Jockey Club.
The opportunity came in the form of an invitation to the function that WSF President N. Ramachandran received from Hong Kong Olympic Committee President Timothy Fok.
Mr. Ramachandran was joined by Asian Squash Federation President Dato Abdullah Sani Karim and Hong Kong Squash Chairman David Y.Y. Mui.
Mr. Ramachandran thanked the IOC president for shortlisting squash for consideration for the one slot available for the 2020 Games. He highlighted the technical innovations implemented by WSF which had lent the sport an added value in respect of the Olympic Games.
Further, the WSF President, as a follow up to the meeting, also had a detailed discussion with IOC Vice-President Zaiqing Yu wherein he highlighted in detail the technical innovations brought into the sport like glass floor court, electronic three-referee system and high definition cameras.
Giving his assessment of the chance meeting, Mr. Ramachandran said, “Whatever happened in Hong Kong is a small step towards our ultimate goal. There are still many stages to go. But I am satisfied with the meeting, for we could give answers to some of the shortcomings pointed out for the sport not getting the nod earlier. There is still much to be done.”
The WSF president said he had invited the IOC president and his wife to grace the World Cup for juniors to be held in Chennai in February next year.
