Pakistan,
03-Sep:
Save Squash from politics,
says Jansher ...
Revealing more about his planned comeback, Jansher Khan has also
appealed to President General Pervez Musharraf to save squash and
its talent in the country by taking effective measures ...
Pakistan,
30-Aug:
Comeback for Jansher ... Reuters India
KARACHI (Reuters) - Pakistan's former world champion Jansher Khan
is coming out of retirement to play in a PSA tournament in October.
The 38-year-old retired in 2002 due to a nagging knee problem after
winning 99 professional titles, including the British Open six times
and the World Open a record eight times.
Khan
said he had been assured a wild card entry by the organisers of the
PSA tournament, which is being held in London from Oct 11.
"The reason for my comeback is that I feel I am mentally and
physically fit to play the international circuit for another three
to four years," he said at a news conference on Thursday.
Jansher and countryman Jahangir Khan dominated the world squash
circuit for nearly two decades, winning a total of 16 British Open
and 14 World titles between them.
Malaysia,
07-Aug:
Follow Squash's
formula for winners Mohd Effendi Norwawi
I
WAS one of the proud Malaysians last Sunday who had the pleasure
of witnessing our two youngsters take on the world and win in the
CIMB Malaysian Open 2007 — Nicol David in the women’s tournament
and Azlan Iskandar in the men’s tournament.
What a gift these wins are for Malaysia on our 50th anniversary!
Nicol gave a classic performance to prove, yet again, why she is
the reigning world champion, and Azlan, against all odds, proved
why we can expect more good things from this World No 19.
After all, en route to his title win, he knocked out three higher
ranked players (top, second and third seeds no less).
Pakistan, 08-Aug:
Jahangir Hopeful for Olympic Inclusion
Pakistan Times
ISLAMABAD: Former squash star Jahangir Khan, who now
heads the world governing body of this sport, has made out a
strong case for inclusion of squash in the Olympic Games.
President
of World Squash Federation, Khan said in an interview that squash
had received very encouraging responses from member countries of
the International Olympic Committee.
“Most people seem surprised that squash isn’t already part of the
Olympic Games movement, particularly as we fulfil all the
criteria, with the sport played in over 150 countries, spread over
Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania.
“And our sport is growing: The number of national federations
affiliated to the WSF has doubled in the past 15 years to 125 -
and new applications continue to arrive. The professional tours
are growing in events and prize money. And the number of worldwide
players now exceeds 15 million,” Jahangir said.
“But perhaps the most compelling reason to welcome us into the
Games community is that squash is all about sheer athleticism. At
the top level, squash requires a remarkable combination of power,
speed, flexibility, agility and instant reflexes.
“And let’s not forget squash’s trademark - outstanding endurance,
both muscular and cardiovascular. Surely the Olympic Games are
principally all about superior athletic performance”, said
Jahangir who won nearly 700 matches in a marathon unbeaten run
spreading over five and half years which itself is a record.
He
also won the prestigious British Open for unprecedented 10 times
and World Open six times.
“I have enjoyed a magnificent career in squash - but I admit that
my biggest disappointment is not having been able to compete for
an Olympic gold medal. If I could help achieve this for the next
generation of players, it would be my proudest moment,” he said.
Indian National Champion Saurav Ghosal, who this week was
awarded life membership of the Racquet Club of Calcutta, is
looking to take his career another step forward
For
someone who picked up a racquet at the young age of nine, success
came soon. His first major title was the German Open (U-17) in May
2002 and he won the Dutch Open two months later. However, the
crowning glory came in the form of the British Open (U-19) title
in 2004 and he thereby became the first Indian to claim the title
ever since its inception in 1980.
Last week, he added another chapter to his fledgling career by
winning the National championship (in Chennai) — his third victory
in four years. “Going into the final, I was under a little
pressure, considering the fact that I was defending my title. But
I relish such challenges. After all, there is no fun without
pressure,” said Ghosal, who was in Bangalore on a private visit
last week.
Coached by retired Major Maniam and Cyrus Poncha while in Chennai,
he currently trains under Malcolm Willstrop in Leeds and he thanks
his father Prakash, who heads the Kolkata Racquet Club for having
initiated him into the game. Much later, the move from Kolkata to
the ICL academy in Chennai with help from India Cements executive
director N Ramachandran proved to be a boon.
The PSA reports today on impressive results for the first
half of 2007.
"Total tour prize money for the first half of 2007 was nearly
$1,400,000, representing an increase of 29% over the same period
last year," said Jack Herrick and Gawain Briars, Chairman of the
Board and Chief Executive of the PSA, respectively.
"Needless to say, this is a new record for the first half of any
year, considering that the prior first half year record was set
in 2006.
"What is more impressive is that our current bookings suggest
that the PSA will do $3,000,000 in total prize money for all of
2007, which is more than double what it was just four years ago.
"These results are a tribute to our promoters, our sponsors, our
players and the game of squash world wide."
The announcement comes on the eve of the PSA's flagship event,
the
ATCO Super Series Finals
which gets underway at the National Squash Centre in Manchester,
England, on Thursday 9th August.
25-Jul-07:
New York City
to host US Open US Squash and Squash Universe, a newly-formed squash
event promotion company, have revealed that the 2007 US Open
Squash Championship for men will be hosted in New York City from
27 September to 4 October. The two organisations also
announced a multi-year licensing agreement for the event, bringing
them together in close partnership to promote squash at the
professional level.
The 2007 US Open - a PSA Super Series Platinum event - will be
hosted at the world famous Roseland Ballroom, located just blocks
from Times Square, in the heart of New York City. Roseland has
operated for over 75 years and has earned international acclaim as
a concert venue for some of the biggest names in music. Initial
qualifying rounds and the round of 32 will be played at New York
City area clubs.
"Bringing
the US Open title to New York makes very good business sense. New
York is home to more Fortune 500 companies than any other city and
is clearly the media capital of the world.
"The additional sponsor support and media exposure the event will
receive as a result of the move will further US Squash’s vision of
making squash accessible."
US Squash CEO
Sean Gibbon led the first-time
Village Open event in New York in 2006 and now serves as Squash
Universe CEO. Gibbon sees strong possibilities for broad
television coverage of the tournament this year, and indicated the
desire to add the Women’s US Open Championship title to the event
in subsequent years, offering a combined “Grand Slam” style event.
"Our experience with
the Village Open convinced us there was an opportunity to create
an even larger event.
"Taking on the management of the US Open Championship was a
logical progression and we share US Squash’s vision for the
development of the sport."
Squash Universe CEO
"The
US Open Squash Championships has successfully flourished for some
years now in Boston under the stewardship of John Nimick, and the
2007 edition arrives in New York for the first time under the
renewed auspices of the US Squash and the Village Club promotion
team headed up by Sean Gibbon.
"Bigger than before, at a premier PSA rating of Platinum Super
Series, the 2007 US Open has truly arrived to join the elite of
the world calendar as a grand slam style tournament that will
attract the very best of the world's players.
"The qualification and first rounds will be hosted at the Printing
House Fitness and Squash Club on Hudson Street with the second
round onwards being presented in the Portland Court Roseland
Ballroom - a stunning new venue to host the all glass court.
"Our congratulations to Sean and his team for taking on this major
tournament in such positive and confident fashion. Audiences in
Manhattan will not be disappointed when PSA players come to town
to challenge for the highest of world ranking points."
In a space not much bigger than a hamster cage, longtime squash
players David Jung and John Dewis look like human
pinballs — moving in lightning-quick steps, deftly avoiding each
other as they change course or screech to a halt, wielding their
feather-light squash racquets like overzealous exterminators.
They're a blur of motion and flying sweat as they take turns
slamming the ball into the wall, dashing out of the ball's way and
positioning themselves for a rapid-fire return.
As they bob, weave and lunge
around the court, Jung and Dewis will work just about every muscle
in their bodies and will finish the game exhausted, looking as if
they ran into a mob of kids armed with Super Soakers.
They will be back in a few days because they love it. "It's an
amazing workout — similar to boxing," Jung says. "You have to be
light on your feet, well-balanced, and you're using your upper
body continually."
Squash, a high-speed indoor racket game that generates as much
loyalty as sweat among veteran players such as Jung and Dewis, is
attracting a bumper crop of new, young enthusiasts.
There are about half a million squash players in the U.S., and
that number is growing.
In the last two years, membership in the USSRA association has
grown nearly 20%, and participation in U.S. junior squash
tournaments has risen 40%. The association sanctions hundreds of
tournaments each year, and that number is up 27% this season
alone.
"Because squash is relatively new here, there are fewer players
than in other sports," adds Chris Walker, former No. 4 squash
player in the world, now working in San Diego. "So if you start
your kid at 9 or 10 years old or even 11 or 12, and get in four or
five good years of squash training, you have a better chance of
getting your child noticed by a college they might want to go to."
At the Los
Angeles Athletic Club where Jung and Dewis play,
membership of squash players has increased 25% to 160 players
during the last two years.
"It's a physical game and at the same time a very thoughtful
game," Jung says. "It's like playing chess while running 100 miles
per hour."
"You
may say it's like physical chess," replies Dewis. "I call it
Fetch."
Malaysia, 20-Jul:
Another feather in Nicol's
cap from Nottingham ...
One of many titles that Nicol David holds is that of British Open
Champion, a title she retained last year at the University of
Nottingham.
How fitting then, that on the eve of her defence of the
CIMB Malaysian
Open title, that the self-same University, the UK's
first to establish a campus in Malaysia, should confer an honorary
degree on Malaysia's quash queen.
Nicol, the reigning world champion and world number one received
the Master of Arts honoris causa from the university's pro-vice
chancellor Professor Douglas Tallack at the eighth
graduation ceremony of the Malaysian campus.
"It
was a shock and a welcomed surprise for me as well as my family
members and friends to be given the degree.
"The degree has a lot of meaning to me. It definitely gives me a
mental boost. It’s a really a great feeling to be among the other
graduates who worked so hard to achieve their academic success.
"It’s great to know that Nottingham University, a highly
established institution, recognises the hard work put in by a
sports personality.
"I intend to take a few subjects while I continue playing on the
circuit. I won’t be waiting until the end of my squash career to
start studying again."
"We felt the
best way to honour sports personalities is during their time of
success and not when they are retired. Nicol is by far Malaysia’s
most famous sports personality," said Prof Tallack.
"Nicol was first nominated for the honorary degree for her
outstanding achievements in winning numerous professional titles
and her first world title back in 2005.
"She continued her achievements the following year by retaining
the world title. It is also particular significance that Nicol
defended her British Open title last year at the University of
Nottingham campus in the UK."
Pakistan, 12-Jul:
Jahangir 's Academy Hopes Daily Times Pakistan
squash great Jahangir Khan is launching his own coaching academy
in a bid to halt the rapid decline of the sport in a country which
once dominated.
Khan, who won a record 10 British Open titles and is a six-time
world champion, will open the academy in Karachi next year at a
complex named after him that is currently undergoing renovation
work.
"We have
not won a major title for many years now. The interest in squash
has also declined. I want to discover and groom young players so
that we might have a chance of reclaiming our lost glory."
to
Reuters
Pakistan produced a string of
world class players that dominated the international circuit for
decades before the retirements of Jahangir Khan and his main
rival, Jansher Khan, who won the World Open eight times and the
British Open six times. However, the country now has no players in
the top 20 of the men’s world rankings.
Shelley Kitchen
Australia, 05-Jul: Squash
loses out to
Aussie smoking ban Herald Sun
MELBOURNE pubs and clubs have been sacrificing sports and family
facilities to make way for outdoor smoking areas, and venues with
pokies are to get tax breaks for their efforts, claiming the
smoking areas as community benefits.
Renovations to provide a new beer garden at North Suburban
Sporting Club have seen the club's squash court disappear. A
former squash player at the venue, John Tait, said the squash
court had been the club's only sporting facility.
"The State Government is trying to make the environment more
healthy, but in doing so they took away the healthiest thing
there," Mr Tait said.
North Suburban Sports Club general manager George Csifo said the
removal of the squash court wasn't linked to the new smoking area,
blaming low squash participation.
But Mr Tait said squash numbers had diminished because the club
had refused to upgrade the facilities.
"We'd been on at them for years to do some improvements, and they
didn't -- but they're more than happy to build an area for the
smokers."
At Diamond Creek Tavern, children's play equipment was removed
from an internal courtyard to make space for smokers.
Collingwood Football Club, which owns the hotel, initially moved
the equipment to the front of the pub, then removed it altogether.
Across town, Melbourne Football Club-owned Leighoak Club, on
Dandenong Rd in Oakleigh, paved a garden to make way for a smoking
area.
The clubs refused to say whether they would claim the renovation
costs in their community benefit statement. But Clubs Victoria
president Margaret Kearney said clubs had every right to consider
smoking areas as a community benefit.
"If the club becomes a better place to be, that is a community
benefit . . . any improvement to a club is a community benefit,"
Ms Kearney said.
A spokeswoman for Gaming Minister Daniel Andrews said renovations
for smoking areas fell under the scheme. Victorian InterChurch
Gambling Taskforce chairman Mark Zirnsak called on the Government
to stop clubs from getting the tax break.
"It's an obscene situation, and the Government should move quickly
on this," Mr Zirnsak said. "The notion that pokies benefit our
community has been shown up as largely a nonsense for many venues,
which are just using the community benefit scheme to boost their
patron numbers."
Mr Daniel's spokeswoman said the State Government is reviewing the
community benefit statements system to tighten arrangements and
ensure tangible benefits are delivered back to the community.
But Mr Zirnsak said gaps needed to be closed now. "If the
government ends up allowing clubs to claim smoking areas as a
community benefit, it indicates gross mismanagement by the State
Government," he said.
Malaysia,
05-Jul:
Penang 'Postponed'
New Straits Times
THE Penang Open International Squash Championship looks to have
died a natural death, just one year into its existence.
Lack of sponsors has forced the SRA of Penang (SRAP) to "postpone"
this year’s championship, denying numerous young players the
chance of pitting their skills against foreign opposition.
Launched last year with great fanfare, Nicol David won Penang’s
first ever professional tournament, which offered US$15,000
(RM52,000) prizemoney.
The tournament was accorded silver status by the Women’s
International Squash Players Association (WISPA), which prompted
SRAP to launch a bid to upgrade the Penang Open to gold status
this year.
That however, required the prize money to be increased to
US$35,000 which has proven to be a stumbling block for SRAP. A
dejected SRAP vice president Linda Geh said the tournament had to
be postponed due to lack of sponsorship.
"As promised last year, SRAP wanted to lift the profile of the
tournament from silver to gold, which means an increase in cash
prize money.
"We require US$35,000 in total prize money for the gold
tournament, which could not be matched from the sponsorship
received, so with a heavy heart we have to postpone it," said
Linda.
"The fans and we were looking forward to seeing Nicol in action in
her home State as this is the only opportunity to watch her play
some of the top players in the world.
"We have secured a few sponsors but it is not sufficient. We are
still looking for sponsors and if we succeed, hopefully the
tournament would be held at the end of the year," she said.
Linda appealed to corporate bodies to come forward and sponsor the
tournament to generate more interest in the sport among the
younger generation.
Malaysia, 03-Jul:
Malaysian Open moved for Football
New Straits Times
The Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) has been forced
to shift the venue of the Malaysian Open to the Jalan Duta courts
after being denied the use of the National Squash Centre in Bukit
Jalil for the duration of the Asian Cup.
World No 1 Nicol David and a cast of the world’s top players will
now have to play their first round matches on July 25 —
coincidentally the same day an Asian Cup semi-final is due to take
place at the National Stadium — in the demure surroundings of
Jalan Duta before moving to The Curve shopping complex in Petaling
Jaya for the quarter-finals onwards.
Manchester United’s proposed match in Kuala Lumpur on July 27 had
similarly fallen victim to the Asian Cup with the Asian Football
Confederation worried the match would take the shine off the
continent’s premier football tournament.
AFC president Mohamed Hammam had repeatedly said that Malaysia had
signed an agreement with AFC and promised not to hold any football
events that might divert attention from the Asian Cup.
But it has now emerged that the agreement covers all activities at
the National Sports Complex, not just football activities.
The agreement, signed with the Sports Ministry, precludes any
major event from running concurrently in the vicinity of the
National Stadium for the duration of Malaysia’s hosting
obligations of the Asian Cup.
That rules out the Malaysian Open, which has attracted nine of the
top 10 women’s players in the world, from being staged at the
National Squash Centre, a stone’s throw from the National Stadium.
In a meeting with officials from Perbadanan Stadium Merdeka (PSM),
the managers of the National Sports Complex, last Friday, SRAM was
told it would not be able to hang buntings and banners at the
centre to publicise the tournament if it insisted on holding the
event at the National Squash Centre.
Rather than risk upsetting sponsors and devalue the Malaysian
Open, a tournament SRAM is hoping to elevate in profile, it opted
to shift the venue to Jalan Duta.
But SRAM honorary secretary K. Sivanesan said the association is
not unduly concerned with the change in venue.
"We are just relieved we were informed early so that we can make
the necessary preparations by informing the players and the world
body," he said.
"Only the qualifying matches and the first round of the main draw
will be held in Jalan Duta. Our original plan to hold the
tournament at the showcase glass court at The Curve for the final
rounds is not affected."
South Africa, 05-Jul:
Overseas stars
add spice to Jarvis Cup The Herald online
A SPRINKLING of overseas stars and a band of South Africa‘s
leading professionals will ensure a feast of squash when the
annual PricewaterhouseCoopers Jarvis and Kaplan Cup squash
interprovincial is played in Port Elizabeth, starting this coming
Monday.
The premier event on SA squash‘s domestic calendar will draw the
cream of the country‘s players to the Londt Park and Westview
clubs for the week-long tournament, while the presence of overseas
pros like Annelize Naude, of the Netherlands, Frenchman Rene
Lavigne, Englishman Tim Garner and Irish player Liam Kenny will
add an extra dimension to the proceedings.
A former South African who has taken out Netherlands citizenship,
Naude, ranked 17 in the world, will be returning to reasonably
familiar territory. She was a member of the Eastern Province
women‘s team in 2000 who came within a whisker of clinching the
title the last time the tournament was held in PE.
Now Naude, who played for the Dutch side in a Test series against
SA last year – one match was played at Londt Park – has linked up
with the province she grew up in, Easterns, to give their chances
a boost.
A good deal of attention, however, will be on top South African
pro Tennille Swartz, who grew up in Parys in the Free State and
has done extremely well since joining the paid ranks. She has been
contracted by Western Province for the week and with another
leading SA player in Karen van der Westhuizen at No 2, the Cape
side will be determined to regain the title.
Top-ranked SA player Farrah Fenner heads the Northerns challenge,
but much will depend on the quality of support she gets from her
team-mates if they are to make an impact.
Gauteng, with SA No 3 Diana Argyle and the experienced Claire
Nitch (SA No 6) heading their team, will also be keen to prove
themselves, but KwaZulu Natal, headed by SA No 9 Leora Greenwood,
look to be in for a tough week.
The Natal men, however, could well feature in the final reckoning.
They have SA No 1 and No 2, Adrian Hansen and Steve Coppinger, at
the top of their order and those two will be tough to topple.
Frenchman Lavigne heads the Gauteng side with the promising Jesse
Engelbrecht slotting in at No 2. With SA No 5 Mike Tootill and No
8 Paul Atkinson also in their side, they will be one of the early
favourites, as will WP, thanks to their excellent depth.
All five of the WP team are ranked in South Africa‘s top 10, with
No 3 Rodney Durbach slotting in at the top of the order. If they
play to their potential, they will be difficult to stop.
Garner and Kenny, who have both featured in the world rankings,
head the Easterns and Border line-ups respectively, but the level
of support from their team-mates will be critical to their hopes
of making Thursday‘s top four play-offs.
Squash
SHORTS News extracts from around
the world,
compiled by Steve Cubbins & Dan Gilbank contribute
Pakistan,
30-Aug:
Khan
said he had been assured a wild card entry by the organisers of the
PSA tournament, which is being held in London from Oct 11.
President
of World Squash Federation, Khan said in an interview that squash
had received very encouraging responses from member countries of
the International Olympic Committee. 
He
also won the prestigious British Open for unprecedented 10 times
and World Open six times. 
"Bringing
the US Open title to New York makes very good business sense. New
York is home to more Fortune 500 companies than any other city and
is clearly the media capital of the world. 
"The
US Open Squash Championships has successfully flourished for some
years now in Boston under the stewardship of John Nimick, and the
2007 edition arrives in New York for the first time under the
renewed auspices of the US Squash and the Village Club promotion
team headed up by Sean Gibbon.
"You
may say it's like physical chess," replies Dewis. "I call it
Fetch."
"It
was a shock and a welcomed surprise for me as well as my family
members and friends to be given the degree.
Pakistan
squash great Jahangir Khan is launching his own coaching academy
in a bid to halt the rapid decline of the sport in a country which
once dominated. 
to
Reuters
