Wetten Dass! updatefrom Andy Holland
in Vienna, Mon 31st March
To set the scene, millions of people are watching this prime time TV
event which is broadcast in Germany, Switzerland and Austria just
once a month. There were many famous guests on the show including
REM, Leona Lewis and of course Paris Hilton. Each guest
is required to bet on whether contestants will succeed.
Paris
had to bet on Australian
Mark Vocetti (brother of Stephen Vocetti, world top 30 player in
the 80s). Both Mark and Stephen came to Austria in the 80s to play
and train, and Mark is now based in Germany.
Mark's bet was to play a corkscrew boast (right handed backhand into
the front forehand corner) with the ball coming parallel off the
backhand sidewall, bouncing off the door (open at 45 degrees) and
rolling out into one of three awaiting squash ball boxes. He had 15
attempts and had to roll 3 balls in!
After 7 attempts he still hadn't managed one, but the next ball he
rolled straight in. About 5 or 6 came close and just bounced over
the boxes, one twisting around, but failing to count and
unfortunately Mark only managed one out of three.
Still,
he got to flirt a little with Paris Hilton, finished off by saying a
big hello to all his mates down the Irish Pub and managed to get
second place after the evening's 5 bets in the public phone in. The
winner incidentally was a guy who could crush cans with his shoulder
blades!!!!!
It was certainly a great advertisement for Squash. Let's have more
of the same.
Urquhart & Corren
out for weeks ... New
South Wales squash player Donna Urquhart could be out of
action for anywhere between two and six weeks after she tore her
calf muscle in the first round of a tour event in Kuala Lumpur this
week.
Doctors have assessed the 21-year-old’s injury but are not able to
do scans until the injury settles down.
Urquhart, who was out injured with an ankle problem this time last
year, was in the middle of a good period of form, having reached the
semi-finals of the Vietnam Open in Hanoi two weeks previously.
She also qualified for the main draw of the rich KL Open in
February.
Meanwhile,
Adelaide’s Mike Corren, who withdrew from the Malaysian men’s
tournament semi-finals with a back injury, is also unsure how long
he will be out of action.
Corren, now based in Kuala Lumpur, had severe back spasms leading
into the semi-finals and could not take the court.
He anticipates a long recovery and hopes to be fit by the South
Australian Open and the Australian Open in July.
Squash on Prime Time with Paris Hilton ?
This Saturday
(29th March) Squash is on TV in Germany, Austria and Switzerland at
prime time on the entertainment show Wetten dass ..? (wanna bet?), which usually attracts
over 50% of all German speaking viewers when it is broadcast.
One part of the show is called Außenwette (external bet; does
not happen in the hall where the show is produced live) which will
be a squash bet in the center "Turnhalle Krefeld" where the German
Closed will be played three weeks later.
Close to the centre an entertainment area will be built up where
5,000 to 15,000 people will come to be part of the show.
Each show has some celebrity guests who will bet on the
outcome of the performances and offer a wager. We don't know who
will be connected to the squash bet.
This time the show's guests include Rolando Villazón, Paris Hilton,
Jimi Blue und Wilson Gonzalez Ochsenknecht, Oliver Kahn, Magdalena
Neuner, Kati Wilhelm und Andrea Henkel, Udo Lindenberg, R.E.M., Kurt
Krömer, Yvonne Catterfeld, Heide Rosendahl and Danny Ecker.
New Dates for Mulhouse ... The popular Open LeClerc has
been brought forward from its original dates, and is now to be held
from 25-27 April at Espace Squash, Mulhouse, France. More
details on the French Site
Gene Turk steps down
as Canadian Coach
WINNIPEG- Squash Canada announced today that Gene Turk of
Winnipeg has stepped down as head coach of the men’s national senior
team after 16 years.
Highlights for Turk included a second place at the world team
championships in 1997 and fourth place at the 2005 team worlds. He
was also Canada’s head coach at the 1995 and 1999 Pan Am Games
winning team gold on both occasions, as well as head coach at the
2002 and 2006 Commonwealth Games.
Turk says he wants to put his coaching energies into his two teenage
children who are also pursuing careers in the sport and other
youngsters at the Winnipeg Squash Racquet Club where he works full
time.
‘’I was a bit lucky to join the national program when we had a group
of guys dedicated to being world class players,’’ said Turk.
‘’Working with players like Jonathon Power, Graham Ryding and
Shahier Razik were definitely career highlights for me.’’
Joe Besso, Squash Canada’s vice president-high performance,
says Turk played a major role in Canada’s international ascension in
men’s squash. ‘’He’s a big reason Canada has been consistently in
the top-eight at the team worlds,’’ said Besso. ‘’He’s a great
individual and a great communicator. They are huge shoes to fill.’’
Linda MacPhail, Squash Canada’s executive director, praised
Turk’s leadership. “We have been very lucky to have Gene as the
men’s coach for the duration that we have,’’ said MacPhail
‘’He is very passionate about our senior men’s athletes and the
program. I know that he had considered retirement earlier, but he
would get so excited about an upcoming world team championships and
the possibilities for the Canadian team, that he had to see it
through.
‘’Squash Canada’s high performance program has evolved tremendously
in the last decade, and much of the maturation of the program has
been due to Gene’s leadership. Squash Canada wishes Gene the very
best, and trust that he will remain available for consultation.”
Turk said the sport has reached a new level of excellence. ‘’The
game has changed,’’ he said. ‘’The players are more dynamic, faster
and they have to be more powerful and explosive.’’
The new men’s national senior team coach should have a solid pool of
talent for the next several years Turk predicts. ‘’Today there’s
many Canadian players who are committed to play professionally for
the next couple of years on the circuit,’’ said Turk. ‘’And with
Canada hosting so many pro events it makes that decision even
easier. When I was playing only a handful of us wanted to do that.’’
A successor is expected to be named in May.
Auckland Squash Marathon for Guinness World Record for Child Cancer
Foundation Brett
Meyer and his son James (Howick Squash Club members) are
attempting a Guinness World Record for squash on the 19th and 20th
April!
They have to beat 24 Hours Continuous Play (minimum), and are only
allowed a 5 minute break after 1 hour. They are not allowed 90
seconds between sets either!!
They are doing this in partnership with the Child Cancer Foundation
as a fund raiser for this fantastic Organisation.
WISPA is launching the WISPA Patrons Club - an exciting new
initiative which will help to strengthen links with the
developmental end of squash and thus play a larger part in
supporting educational programmes.
WISPA Patrons will, through their support and enthusiasm to see
girls' and women’s squash grow, play a pivotal role in enabling
the Association to achieve its ambitions towards helping develop
‘green shoot’ support, as well as marketing programmes and
general promotional initiatives.
Furthermore, at the elite end of the game, Patrons will help
WISPA develop a promotional framework that will eventually
enables more members to earn an income that allows them the
funds to focus on their development and be well enough funded to
do so on a full time basis.
The initiative is part of the new WISPA vision - i.e. more
players, more nations, more media coverage……more squash success!
07-Mar-08:
PSA Chief Briars Retires Gawain
Briars has revealed his decision to retire from the post as
Chief Executive of the PSA on 31st March 2008. Under Briars'
stewardship since October 1999, the PSA has enjoyed an exponential
growth in tour event numbers, tour revenue and membership numbers.
Briars
inherited a world tour programme of 100 events with US$ 1.5 million
prize money.
The PSA Tour currently boasts over 371 events and a total prize fund
in excess of US$ 3.2 million - a dramatic increase. Furthermore,
membership numbers have increased in that time from 301 to over 400
players from 59 countries, covering the five continental regions of
the world.
Television, both programme and live through the PSA Super Series
coverage, has continued and built on its strong lead in the
promotion of squash worldwide as the sport seeks to increase its
exposure in a competitive and congested market.
The introduction of the Point-a-Rally scoring system to eleven
points was promoted and driven by Briars. This reform has
contributed more than any other to the new era of exciting and
dynamic performance at the top level. The former world No4 led the
Association into a pioneering web streaming service.
The PSA will be initiating a search for a new Chief Executive in the
near future.
"Gawain’s
retirement as Chief Executive marks a turning point for the
Association. His high standards have led the men’s professional game
into a new era where compensation levels, event and membership
numbers are at an unsurpassed level.
"His legal experience has been invaluable in ensuring the
Association is well placed in its increasingly complex contractual
arrangements, and his willingness to continuously travel the world
to visit our customers and tournaments has ensured that PSA’s
profile has remained at the highest level. Under Gawain’s steady
stewardship the Association has reached a point now where its
resources and broadcast vision provide us with our best opportunity
to harness the appeal of the men’s game as the most exciting
spectator sport.
"PSA thanks Gawain for his major contribution to our development and
wishes him the very best for his retirement and future plans.
"We can assure all our partners that normal service will continue at
PSA in the period until a new appointment is made.
"The Cardiff staff, headed by Tour Director Sheila Cooksley, will
continue with the excellent work they do in managing the PSA Tour -
and Ted Wallbutton, former CEO of the World Squash Federation, will
step in as interim CEO of PSA to facilitate the change process and
ensure that there is effective communication at all levels."
PSA Chairman
"I have immensely enjoyed my nine years at the helm of PSA. These
have been uniquely challenging times for the growth and marketing of
the professional game and I am privileged to have had the
opportunity of taking part in the steady and marked growth of the
tour in all its facets. The lot of the professional squash player is
an exceptionally hard one with travel and on court physical exertion
tested to the maximum. The players deserve every dollar they receive
and more. I am confident that my successor will continue to provide
increased events and remuneration to the players who travel the
world exhibiting their talents.
"I will be passing now to the next phase of my working career,
pleased that my contribution to the PSA has been positive and
rewarding. I especially want to thank my staff at Cardiff head
office and, in particular, my Tour Executive Sheila Cooksley. She
has been my rock of support in the office as I travelled the world,
and in leading our ladies Anna, Lynne, Alison and Sheryl.
"I wish to also thank the PSA Board of Directors for their
understanding and support through the years, especially when
difficult decisions have required support and faith for the greater
cause.
"I have made many wonderful new friends during this time and renewed
old acquaintances from my playing days, but I want to single out for
special thanks both Jack Herrick and Robert Edwards for their help
and support of my projects on behalf of the Association. Their
insight and experience has been an invaluable asset in assisting me
through the years and consequently been of benefit to the fortunes
of PSA.
"I wish the Association the very best for its next phase of
development. The professional game is a fabulous product and has a
shining future.”
29-Feb-08:
Ricketts joins NZ
coaching team
A major coup for Squash New Zealand, with an exciting new addition
to the national coaching team - former World Number Three Anthony
Ricketts has signed on as a new High Performance Coach within the
Squash New Zealand Team.
Ricketts retired from professional squash three months ago after an
11 year professional career. He reached a career high of World
Number three in January 2006 and retired ranked in the top ten in
the world.
His
playing career is marked by multiple successes including wins in the
Australian, Malaysian, Pakistan and British Opens, in the New York
Tournament of Champions and the Super Series in London. In 2003 he
captained Australia to victory in the World Men's Teams
Championships. He was World Doubles Champion in 2006 and has won
silver medals at the last two Commonwealth Games.
Off the court he has held office as Chairman of the Squash Australia
Athletes Committee, New South Wales High Performance Director and
NSW Squash Ambassador.
Anthony will be engaged in specific projects including developing
identified junior talent, Commonwealth Games and World
Championships. A product of the Australian Institute of Sport, he
has a clear picture of the commitment and discipline needed to be
the best.
"Anthony will add
tremendous value to the Squash NZ High Performance programme as a
coach. He has current experience at the very highest level of the
game and brings the knowledge and experience of what it takes to be
world class. Add him to our current stable of coaches and we are
confident we have the makings of a team capable of developing and
delivering world class athletes and world champions.
Squash NZ Chief Executive
"NZ
Squash has a proud history of producing world class squash players.
I am very excited about the opportunity to contribute to continuing
that success. I look forward to working with Squash NZ and meeting
the athletes and coaches involved in the High Performance
Programme".
15-Feb-08:
The Glass Floor Debate
This glass floor was supposed to be a big improvement for both
players and promoters. But problems surfaced at a few tournaments -
particularly Bermuda - which led the PSA to conduct a review into
its use at their tournaments.
And today came the decision ... the PSA is to withdraw its sanction
to the floor after the Swedish Open 2008. We have the PSA statement,
plus views from WISPA and Horst Babinsky of ASB, the developer of
the floor.
It’s good to see that the sport is trying to evolve. Sometimes,
things don’t go as smoothly as expected, but that’s part of the
cycle of improvement. One step backwards often means three steps
forward.
Let’s see what improvements this set-up will bring us…
PSA
Withdraws
Glass Floor Sanction
The Professional Squash Association has withdrawn its sanction of
glass-floored squash courts, with effect from 1st March 2008.
The decision follows detailed consultation with PSA members - the
overall conclusion of which was that such floors are not
consistently safe in all environments.
"Our prime concern is for the safety of our players and until such
flooring is suitable for all possible conditions, we feel we must
take this action," said PSA Chief Executive Gawain Briars.
"We will continue to work closely with all manufactures on this
potentially important development to provide as much help as we can
in overcoming its current shortcomings."
WISPA
Reaction from Andrew Shelley
WISPA had not been consulted or informed in advance of this decision
by PSA so we have no direct background on this decision.
However,
it appears to stem from the Men’s World Open in Bermuda last
November where there were very humid conditions in a tent which had
no air-conditioning.
This is not representative of general stagings and there probably
would have been slipperiness issues using a wooden floor too in that
very damp atmosphere.
As a glass floor was successfully used for the Men’s World team
Championship in Chennai a few days after the Men’s World Open it
does seem to have been a localised problem.
As for WISPA, we first used the ASB glass floor in outside in
Hyderabad, India in 2006, and since then in Norway, Sweden, Lisbon,
Madrid for the Women's World Open, Hong Kong and elsewhere; and our
members have found it satisfactory so we are certainly happy for our
events to be played upon them.
We recognise the value to promoters to be able to change court floor
colours and add sponsor signage without repainting wooden floors for
each event so as long as the playing conditions are good for the
players glass floors provide a useful option.
That said, we do think that it is important that some guidelines are
produced for court conditions - both glass and wooden - where
demountable courts are used (we already have them for fixed courts)
so that promoters are fully aware of their responsibilities to
provide sound and safe playing conditions.
More immediately, we need to discuss the situation with both PSA and
the promoters of joint events that use glass floors as they have
invested in this innovation and this decision could have a serious
impact upon our Tour if promoters are unable or unwilling to
proceed.
WISPA Chief Executive
I developed this floor because I knew that there was no really good
floor which meets the requirements of the world's top players. Then
I had the idea of the glass floor, which is clearly more elastic and
more anti skid than other floors.
Of course this is a new development and this has to be further
developed. But this is the way into the future, it is squash's way
to Olympia.
We will give the floor more grip with the help of top players and
this in a way that is beneficial for the players' health. We will
provision for ventilation from the front wall or heating of the
floor to meet extreme situations like in Bermuda.
We will bring better floor colours into the floor. So that the films
and photos will even more beautiful and better than before.
We will illuminate the lines and let the service boxes blink, if the
referee wishes to do so.
And we will be able to install lighted advertising before and after
the matches. But this is only possible with a glass floor.
This floor is worth being further developed.
Horst Babinsky ASB
08-Feb-08:
PSA Elects New Board
The
Professional Squash Association has elected a new board which
will guide the men's players' association through 2008.
Englishman Mark Chaloner, the former world No7 who was
President of the PSA, becomes Chairman, while fellow Englishman
Lee Beachill, the world No10 from Yorkshire, joins the board as
Vice President.
Welshman Alex Gough, the world No20, takes over the position
of President. The remaining board members are Jack Herrick
(USA), Robert Graham (England), Martin Macdonnell
(Ireland) and Tony Hands (England).
"I would
like to pay special tribute to Jack Herrick for his tremendous
contribution to the development and progression of the men's
professional game," said Chairman Chaloner. "Jack has been a great
asset to our association and since 1994 he has served on the board
as Chairman. His business acumen, combined with his interest and
knowledge of the game, has provided PSA with invaluable support and
direction.
"Furthermore, he has been a magnificent ambassador for our
association representing us at many tournaments and conferences
throughout the world. I have no doubt that he's going to be a very
tough act to follow but with his continued support I'm certain the
challenge will be made less difficult.
"Alex Gough was appointed by the Board as PSA President," continued
Chaloner. "As the most experienced player on the circuit, he will -
I am sure - be a fine example to the players and someone who is
accessible at many events around the world. He will be able to
continue the close relationship between the players and the board
going forward. Alex is constantly very positive and pro-active and
continues to bring his passion for squash and wealth of experience
to help progress our game.
"We
are also delighted to welcome Lee Beachill to the PSA Board. Lee was co-opted onto the Board as a director and also
appointed Vice President, so he will also be a figure to whom
players can look to as an example to follow. Over the past few
years, Lee has taken a keen interest in how the game has been
developing, not only from the playing side but also from the
promoting side. With this enthusiasm and his success as a
professional player, I'm sure we'll keep the progression going.
"In
addition, we are fortunate that the other Directors continue to
provide a wealth of experience in the activities of the PSA,"
Chaloner concluded.
17-Jan-08:
Derby date changed
for Duffield ... Brian Hargrave reports, tongue-in-cheek ...
It
has just been confirmed that Derby County has put back their
Premier League match against Manchester City, scheduled for Tuesday
29 January, to the following night to avoid a clash with Duffield’s
PSL fixture away to Redditch.
This is great news for the Duffield loyal band of supporters several
of whom who are also Derby County season ticket holders.
Duffield will be looking to come of age at Redditch and chalk up a
21st consecutive victory.
However, the loss of Nick Matthew due to a shoulder injury
which required an operation, putting him out of action for several
weeks, will make this a tall order for the Derbyshire club.
The new Derby manager, Paul Jewell, who is now living in
Duffield will be invited to the next home match against Oxford on 5
February as a small thank you and hopefully his team will embark on
a winning run of 20 consecutive matches and avoid relegation ...
WISPA Promo Video
As part of their continuing drive to
promote the women's game, WISPA has produced this promo video, aimed
at current and prospective event promoters ... but it's a good
watch anyway !! More details on the
WISPA page
08-Jan-08: Super League in Jeopardy
Organiser David Howell reports that two of the five teams in the
National Squash Super League - a 3-man competition that in recent
years has featured a significant majority of the world's top twenty
players - have withdrawn through lack of sponsorship, which makes it
likely that the league will not run this year ...
It
is understood that with the Men's World Open to be staged in
Kuwait next year, the 2008 Sheikha Al Saad Kuwait Open in
April is being seen as a rehearsal for that event, and so the
women's event may be dropped this year.
When
asked by SquashSite, WISPA's Andrew Shelley confirmed that this
may indeed be the case ...
"I
really hope that this possible scenario does not occur.
The Kuwait Open was created to celebrate the life of the Sheikha,
the Kuwaiti princess who was a keen squash player and who died
tragically young.
"This, combined with the Federation there leading the way along
with Qatar Squash in promoting women's squash in the region,
means it would be a real blow were the WISPA event not to take
place alongside the guys this year.
"We have offered to help in any way that we can to minimise any
impact our inclusion would have as the preparations for the
Men's Worlds there in 2009, and this is being considered at this
time."
30-Dec-07:
An MBE for Duffield's
John White
The Full
Story
Joining Cassie Jackman and Peter Nicol in squash's honours hall of
fame is John White, of Duffield and Derbyshire, who was
awarded an
MBE for Services to Squash in the New Year's honours list.
Mr White won the Derbyshire title for 13 successive years and was
secretary of Duffield Squash Club for 34 years, from 1964 to 1998.
He was also secretary of Derbyshire Men's Squash Association for 15
years, until 1981. When he was 17, Mr White took part in junior
Wimbledon before turning his attention to squash and he became Royal
Navy champion.
Squash has always been a family affair for the Whites, with wife
Pauline representing both England and Great Britain.
And their son, Kevin, is captain of the national over-35 side.
"I
am extremely grateful and highly flattered to receive this honour.
"One dreams of achieving many things and I am lucky enough to have
managed one or two but this had never ever crossed my mind.
"It came completely out of the blue. I consider this honour to be
for both Pauline and myself - as her contribution to squash has been
just as great, if not more, than mine."
Kevin White, Pauline White, John White, Mike Taylor (Chairman
Duffield SC), Russell Moore (President Duffield SC)
Hashim Khan hobbled into the Denver Athletic Club and parked himself
on a bleacher behind the glass wall of the squash court.
The diminutive 93-year-old folded his arms across his belly and
watched two players rallying back and forth, his eyes examining
their technique and footwork.
"All
my life, that's what I've wanted to do — hit that ball," said Khan,
one of the sport's all-time greats.
Khan recently took a tumble on the court, fracturing a hip and
straining a rotator cuff. Doctors have said no more squash.
He refuses to listen.
Even at 93, Khan can't bring himself to lay down his racket — he
simply loves the game too much.
Malaysian
squash star Nicol David has been named Asian Sportswoman
of the Year in the inaugural awards launched by the Asian
Sports Press Union (ASPU) in
collaboration with Stropt & Sports Ltd
(Hong Kong).
A panel of judges
comprising of leading sports journalists and administrators across
Asia vetted through the nominees.
In
order to be eligible for the awards, nominees must meet a certain
criteria. They should have excelled in their disciplines for the
particular year and be the best in Asia, with a minimum entry
requirement of being Asian Games gold medal winners.
"Congratulations to these men and women who have inspired and
sparked the imaginations of millions across Asia. I hope by winning
these awards, they will continue to not only be the best that they
can be but also to do the whole of Asia proud.
"We received over 100 nominations from 25 sporting bodies and
National Olympic ouncils from 15 Asian countries.
Cutting the list down to the final three for each category was easy
but selecting the winners really made us judges think."
ASPU Vice-President
Nicol, who has held
the women's world No1 squash ranking unopposed since August 2006,
enjoyed a distinguished year in 2007 in which she established a
50-match unbeaten run and won eight WISPA
titles, more than in any other year. After clinching the final two
major trophies of the year, the Qatar Classic and Hong Kong Open,
Nicol went on to be voted 'WISPA Player of the Year' for the third
year in a row.
For the Asian
Sportswoman of the Year award, Nicol was shortlisted with Thailand
Weightlifter Paweena Thongsuk and South Korean Winter Sports
star Jin Sun Yu.
"I'm
well happy about this award.
"It was
already huge news for me being in the nominations amongst other top
athletes in Asia, especially contending with China, Japan and Korea
- but winning it is a real surprise for me.
"Hopefully, with this honour, squash can be widely spread throughout
Asia and can generate more interest for other Asians to compete on
the professional circuit sometime soon."
"What
a result for squash: what a result for Nicol personally: and what a
wonderful ambassador for the sport our world number one is!
Recognition like this for Nicol David is a real boost as we strive
to place ourselves on the major sports map."
WISPA
The inaugural Asian Sportsman of
the Year award was collected by China's 110 metre hurdles world
record holder Liu Xiang.
Jahangir takes centre stage at the WSF AGM in Bermuda
21-Dec-07:
Degree for JK
Jahangir Khan,
President of the World Squash Federation, has been awarded an
honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree from London Metropolitan
University.
The distinguished squash figure joins a wide range of public figures
from the world of business, sport, the arts, politics and public
administration in receiving honorary degrees from the University
this year - including Lord Moynihan, the former British
Sports Minister and Chairman of the British Olympic Association
since 2005; Manny Lewis, Chief Executive of the London
Development Agency, which contributed greatly to London's 2012
Olympic bid; and Philip Lane, CEO of the British Paralympic
Association and a member of the London 2012 Olympic Board Strategy
Group.
"It's
a privilege and an honour for me to receive this Honorary Degree.
"I would like to
thank the Board of Governors and Jury for honouring my services to
the sport and the community.
"The
UK is my second home - the people in the UK have always been very
supportive to me."
Born on the 10th December
1963 in Karachi, Pakistan, Jahangir showed a clear interest and
talent for squash from a young age. He was coached by his father
Roshan Khan, the 1957 British Open Champion - and when Jahangir
claimed his British Open crown in 1982, this made them the only
father and son to win the prestigious title.
In 1979, Jahangir became the youngest player ever to win the World
Amateur title - at only fifteen years old. Two years later, he
became the youngest player (at 17) to claim the World Open
Championship, beating Australia's Geoff Hunt in the final.
Jahangir
went on to win the prestigious British Open title a record ten times
and the World Open trophy six times. Furthermore, he established an
unprecedented unbeaten record for an incredible five years and eight
months - an achievement unsurpassed in any other equivalent
sport. Jahangir not only dominated international squash, but also
North American hardball squash.
Jahangir retired from competitive squash in 1993, after helping
Pakistan win the World Team Championships for the sixth time. In
1984 the government of Pakistan honoured him by putting his image on
a postage stamp and presenting him with the President's Award and
the civil award of Bilal-e-Imtiaz. Jahangir has also been named as
one of Asia’s Heroes by Time Magazine.
Jahangir had become a household name throughout the world - and
later was voted the greatest ever male player by a poll on the World
Squash Federation website.
In 1990 he was elected Chairman of the PSA and Vice President of the
Pakistan Squash Federation in 1998. In November 1998 he was elected
Vice President of the World Squash Federation - and he was made
President four years later on 26 October 2002.
Jahangir lives in Karachi with his wife Rubina, his two daughters
and his son Omar Jahangir. He has already predicted that Omar will
be a World Champion of the future.
"London Metropolitan University is delighted to honour Mr Khan for
his services to the field of sport," said a spokesman for the
University. "We look forward to continuing our close links with him
in the future."
Paris
had to bet on Australian
Mark Vocetti (brother of Stephen Vocetti, world top 30 player in
the 80s). Both Mark and Stephen came to Austria in the 80s to play
and train, and Mark is now based in Germany.
Still,
he got to flirt a little with Paris Hilton, finished off by saying a
big hello to all his mates down the Irish Pub and managed to get
second place after the evening's 5 bets in the public phone in. The
winner incidentally was a guy who could crush cans with his shoulder
blades!!!!!
New
South Wales squash player Donna Urquhart could be out of
action for anywhere between two and six weeks after she tore her
calf muscle in the first round of a tour event in Kuala Lumpur this
week.
Meanwhile,
Adelaide’s Mike Corren, who withdrew from the Malaysian men’s
tournament semi-finals with a back injury, is also unsure how long
he will be out of action.
This Saturday
(29th March) Squash is on TV in Germany, Austria and Switzerland at
prime time on the entertainment show Wetten dass ..? (wanna bet?), which usually attracts
over 50% of all German speaking viewers when it is broadcast.
Brett
Meyer and his son James (Howick Squash Club members) are
attempting a Guinness World Record for squash on the 19th and 20th
April!
Briars
inherited a world tour programme of 100 events with US$ 1.5 million
prize money. 
"Gawain’s
retirement as Chief Executive marks a turning point for the
Association. His high standards have led the men’s professional game
into a new era where compensation levels, event and membership
numbers are at an unsurpassed level. 
29-Feb-08:
His
playing career is marked by multiple successes including wins in the
Australian, Malaysian, Pakistan and British Opens, in the New York
Tournament of Champions and the Super Series in London. In 2003 he
captained Australia to victory in the World Men's Teams
Championships. He was World Doubles Champion in 2006 and has won
silver medals at the last two Commonwealth Games.
"NZ
Squash has a proud history of producing world class squash players.
I am very excited about the opportunity to contribute to continuing
that success. I look forward to working with Squash NZ and meeting
the athletes and coaches involved in the High Performance
Programme".
"I would
like to pay special tribute to Jack Herrick for his tremendous
contribution to the development and progression of the men's
professional game," said Chairman Chaloner. "Jack has been a great
asset to our association and since 1994 he has served on the board
as Chairman. His business acumen, combined with his interest and
knowledge of the game, has provided PSA with invaluable support and
direction. 
It
has just been confirmed that Derby County has put back their
Premier League match against Manchester City, scheduled for Tuesday
29 January, to the following night to avoid a clash with Duffield’s
PSL fixture away to Redditch. 
"I
really hope that this possible scenario does not occur.
The Kuwait Open was created to celebrate the life of the Sheikha,
the Kuwaiti princess who was a keen squash player and who died
tragically young. 
"I
am extremely grateful and highly flattered to receive this honour.
Malaysian
squash star Nicol David has been named Asian Sportswoman
of the Year in the inaugural awards launched by the Asian
Sports Press Union (ASPU) in
"I'm
well happy about this award
"
"It's
a privilege and an honour for me to receive this Honorary Degree
Jahangir
went on to win the prestigious British Open title a record ten times
and the World Open trophy six times. Furthermore, he established an
unprecedented unbeaten record for an incredible five years and eight
months - an achievement unsurpassed in any other equivalent
sport. Jahangir not only dominated international squash, but also
North American hardball squash. 
