The Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI) has refuted Dipika Pallikal’s allegation that the Incheon Asian Games squash draw was “manipulated”.
Dipika, drawn to play Joshna Chinappa in the second round (quarterfinals), had referred to the principle of “optimum separation” in the World Squash Federation rules, which pertains to two players of the same nationality being kept as far apart as possible.
Responding to the report carried in these columns (Sept. 12), the SRFI stated that the rule cited wasn’t applicable to the Asian Games.
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The SRFI’s release quoted Asian Squash Federation (ASF) secretary Duncan Chiu’s reply (to Dipika) as follows: “The WSF does not operate or administer the senior men’s and women’s world championships by itself and your quoted rule ‘X9’ applies only to world junior championships.”
“Also in the Technical Handbook of the 17th Asian Games, it is stated under ‘6. Competition Rules’ that Technical Issues: Resolved in accordance with WSF and the ASF Rules and Regulations.
“Therefore it is absolutely correct to apply rule ‘M10’ of the ASF Championship Regulations for conducting the draw while WSF does not have a relevant governing rule.”
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The release said that “All Regional Games will conform to the respective requirements of the Regional Games Rules and Regulations.
“Specific matters with regards to the event [Asian Games], where not covered by the above [WSF rules], will conform to the ASF Championship Regulations”.
ASF Championship Regulation section ‘M10’ states: “No player shall be drawn against a fellow national in the first round of all events, unless this cannot be avoided.”
The SRFI concluded that the “public draw” had been conducted according to the relevant rules and regulations. “Photographs of the same are available on the ASF website,” it said.