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WISPA PROMOTIONAL
TOUR TO RUSSIA
13-22 June 2003 |
23-Jun
Moscow Visit Celebrates
Princeton Birth of Russian Squash
The discovery that the birth of Squash in Russia is due to a Moscow
Professor's chance introduction to the sport at Princeton University in
the USA in 1990 provided the perfect climax of the WISPA promotional tour
of Russia for the event's sponsor Tom Tarantino, a 1969 Princeton
graduate.
The final day of the WISPA Tour, led by Australia's five-times world
champion Sarah Fitz-Gerald and top European Vanessa Atkinson, the world
No5 from the Netherlands, was held at the Le Meriden Moscow Country Club.
The visit, hosted by the Russian Squash Federation, was the fifth annual
tour organised by WISPA in its continuing drive to promote women's squash
around the world.
It was in his fifties that Dr Vasily Borisov, a former University
Professor, spent a month at Princeton researching a book he was writing on
electronic TV inventor Vladimir Zwozykin. A keen tennis player, Borisov
was intrigued by the new sport he came across - and eventually spent three
of his weeks in the US having squash lessons with the University's
esteemed and long-time Head Coach Bob Callahan.
On his return to Moscow, Borisov approached the country's tennis
federation to find out why they had not devoted any time to the
development of this alternative racket sport. The organisation cited a
lack of time and acknowledged that a pile of squash correspondence had
simply been left unanswered.
Borisov agreed to respond to the correspondence and by the following year
had established an initiative group to develop the sport, securing modest
funding from the Russian Committee for Physical Culture & Sports. Also in
1991, the first court was opened at the Club Prometey (now the World Class
Centre) in Moscow and the fledgling group received a consignment of
rackets from the European Squash Federation (ESF) and the French
Federation.
In 1992, Borisov founded the Russian Squash Federation, which became a
member of the ESF and later the World Squash Federation (WSF).
But in 1993, following the disintegration of the USSR, the RSF's state
funding came to an end when the Physical Culture & Sports Committee was
restructured as the country's National Olympic Committee, helping only
Olympic sports.
"I was delighted when WSF Chief Executive Ted Wallbutton and the then
President of the ESF came to Russia to join me in a meeting with the head
of the NOC," said Borisov. "However, at the end of the meeting he told us,
in English, that he felt that three racket sports were enough for Russia -
then confided to me in Russian that if we were amongst the top countries
in Europe, rather than somewhere near the bottom, he would have been able
to help!" Vasily added.
Lack of funding prevented significant further growth until the late
nineties when a group of enthusiasts blossomed simultaneously in St
Petersburg and Moscow. A single-court club opened in central St
Petersburg, owned by Irina Turkova, where national champions Alexei
Severinov and Katja Glintchikova first played before moving to the newer
five-court Hypersquash centre owned by Irina Podubnaya.
In Moscow, a small group of enthusiasts led by RSF Vice President Timur
Burganov spent two weeks in Egypt honing their skills - and eventually
persuaded local coach Ibrahim Assal to move to Moscow to become Russian
National Coach.
"We don't have the funding to support him directly, but we promote his
presence here and he is already coaching many enthusiasts as well as our
top players and is making a significant impact," Burganov explained.
The visit to the Moscow Country Club attracted substantial interest both
from the media and players wanting to witness the skills of the WISPA
stars. The lavish club, home to the country's only 18-hole golf course,
boasts a glass-back court with plentiful spectator capacity.
Vasily Borisov presided over a well-attended press conference at the club,
outlining the background to the new sport's development in the country -
hailing the WISPA visit as "a great event for Russian squash."
The on-court action presentation began with an eagerly-awaited clash
featuring the in-form Vanessa Atkinson and Russia's respected national
coach Ibrahim Assal - undoubtedly the best player based in the country.
Not only his many pupils, but also numerous representatives of Moscow's
Egyptian Embassy, were keen to see their hero quash his female opponent.
Atkinson, however, is made of sterner stuff - and manfully kept her
determined challenger at bay, fighting back from 3-7 down in the second to
win the best-of-three encounter 9-6 9-7.
Coincidentally, elsewhere within the Le Meridien Club complex, British
Ambassador Sir Roderic Lyne was attending a multinational trade conference
featuring dignitaries from all over the world - including Britain's former
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs Sir Malcolm
Rifkind.
Sir Roderic was keen to make up for missing the WISPA party's visit to his
Embassy the previous night, and sought out Fitz-Gerald and Atkinson during
an appropriate break. "We're discussing Iraq next, so I'd better get back
to the meeting," said the long-time squash fanatic after talking to the
stars - "but I'll be back later to watch your match," he assured the pair
as he hurried back to his more formal appointment.
True to his word, he was back at court-side as Sarah and Vanessa displayed
their world-class expertise on court much to the obvious admiration of the
Ambassador and the enthusiastic crowd.
"Russia has severe six-month winters when many sports become impossible to
play, so squash is a perfect sport for this country," said Sir Roderic,
after expressing his delight that he had, after all, been able to see the
WISPA stars in action. "It's worth noting that tennis was hardly known
here a few decades back, yet now it's one of the most popular sports, with
a number of Russian men and women amongst the world's elite."
Like the previous four international WISPA tours to 'spread the word' for
squash - including countries such as the Czech Republic, Jamaica, El
Salvador, Peru, Kenya, Thailand, Brunei and Sarawak - the Russian
expedition to St Petersburg and Moscow clearly made a major impact.
"This visit has been a real step forward for us," said the young
Federation's Vasily Borisov. "When the idea was originally suggested, we
had no hesitation in accepting WISPA's kind offer as it is vital for our
players and coaches to see a level of squash that most have simply not
experienced before. We know we have got a long way to go, with more
courts, more coaches and more players, but we hope this will have given us
a major boost."
The visit was equally meaningful for the players. "When asked if I would
go on the WISPA tour to Russia, I answered 'yes' without hesitation - and
I was pleased I did," said former world No1 Sarah Fitz-Gerald, a Patron of
WISPA who has led four of the promotional events. "The hospitality and
enthusiasm was fantastic. Considering the size of Russia, with so few
courts and such a short time that the sport has been around, their
standard was impressive and their eagerness to be on court to play and
learn with Vanessa and myself was truly uplifting."
Atkinson, the seven-times Dutch champion who was making her first
appearance on a WISPA tour, added: "I have enjoyed this trip immensely -
we were made to feel very welcome by our hosts in both St Petersburg and
Moscow. Squash is a relatively new sport in Russia and the enthusiasm of
all the people involved was really refreshing - making our job much
easier. I am confident that we succeeded in our aim to promote the sport
and hopefully we have contributed to the further development of squash in
Russia."
WISPA Director Andrew Shelley, who masterminds the organisation's
ambassadorial missions, explained: "It was a bit of a Noah's Ark trip this
year. Lined up in pairs were two host cities; two eminent players, giving
their time generously without fee; and twice as much local enthusiasm as
we expected. Indeed, two will probably be the number of days needed to
clear the effects of the hospitality vodka!
"We couldn't fail to be impressed by the efforts of the young Russian
Federation and the single-minded efforts of enthusiasts to develop squash.
The opportunity to add a little water to the seeds that they have sown is
only a small aid, but we have been pleased to have played a role, courtesy
of the wonderful enduring support from our sponsor Tom Tarantino. If
enthusiasm is the determinant, Russians are already championship
material!"
Philadelphia-based Tarantino has been an avid supporter and backer of
WISPA's initiative for five years. And now this squash benefactor has been
overjoyed to discover that the catalyst for his latest promotion was his
own 'alma mater'! "Wouldn't it just be wonderful if a future Russian
champion was able to go on to Princeton to hone his squash skills,"
Tarantino concluded.
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Sarah and Vanessa meet three Russian
soldiers outside the Kremlin in Moscow's Red Square
Tour Preview
Fitz misses
World Cup Feast
Welcome to
St Petersburg
WISPA vyes with Putin
Ukraine capitalises on tour
British Embassy in Moscow
Russian Squash Federation
Sarah and Vanessa outside the Le Meridien
Moscow Country Club with Russian Squash Federation President Vasily
Borisov (centre), Vice President Timur Burganov (far left) and WISPA
Director Andrew Shelley
Russian Squash Federation President Vasily
Borisov (left) reminisces about his introduction to squash at Princeton
University with 1969 graduate and WISPA Russian tour sponsor Tom Tarantino
Moscow British Ambassador Sir Roderic Lyne
(second left) delights in finally meeting Vanessa and Sarah at the Moscow
Country Club, with the club's General Manager John Wood
Tour Preview
Fitz misses World Cup Feast
Welcome to
St Petersburg
WISPA vyes with Putin
Ukraine capitalises on tour
British Embassy in Moscow
|
21-Jun
British Embassy
Kicks Off Moscow Leg
Moscow’s British Embassy hosted the welcome event for the second leg of
the WISPA promotional tour to Russia, led by Sarah Fitz-Gerald and
Vanessa Atkinson.
WISPA’s fifth annual tour in its continuing drive to promote women’s
squash around the world arrived in Russia’s capital city after four days
in St Petersburg.
Sadly, the Ambassador had to attend the opening night of a special season
of Britain’s Royal Opera Company at the Bolshoi Ballet Theatre in Moscow
and was unable to host the WISPA party at his Embassy.
“As a long time (42 years) squash player, I am mortified to be missing
your visit – but relieved to be spared the public humiliation on court!”
said Sir Roderic Lyne in a personal message given to the WISPA stars.
The visit also attracted a crew from Stolitsa TV and journalist and
photographer from the Itar-Tass national news agency - keen to meet the
WISPA stars and discover more about squash.
Such is the low awareness of squash in Russia, that photographers and
television cameramen need considerable guidance in how best to capture the
sport visually. Furthermore, interviews become long-winded affairs as both
questions, then responses, have to be translated.
The new British Embassy is one of three in Moscow to feature a squash
court – the other two being at the US Embassy and the Indian (widely
believed to be the first court constructed in the city). The British court
is well-used by the 500 or so personnel based at the impressive complex.
The gallery was packed by Embassy staff and numerous invited guests and
media who delighted in seeing Fitz-Gerald and Atkinson put a stream of
squash enthusiasts through their paces.
“It was awesome to have players of Sarah and Vanessa’s calibre playing
here and giving so many of us the chance to hit with them on court,” said
the Embassy’s leading player Flight Lieutenant Peter Edwards, Head of the
Admin Office in the Defence section, after a brief annihilation by former
world No1 Fitz-Gerald.
“I know the Ambassador was gutted when he realised he would miss the visit
– he’s such a keen player and would have relished the chance to try and
get a point or two from the girls. We will do all we can to capitalise on
this visit and spread the word for squash around the city,” Edwards added.
He concluded by wishing the group well for the remainder of their Moscow
activities.
|
Sarah and Vanessa with
their Embassy staff opponents Tracey Broadbent and (back row L to R) Paul
Baker, Jonathan Aves and Peter Edwards
Tour Preview
Fitz misses World Cup Feast
Welcome to
St Petersburg
WISPA vyes with Putin
Ukraine capitalises on tour
British Embassy in Moscow
|
20-Jun
Ukraine Capitalises
On WISPA Russian Tour
Ukraine’s top player Roman Dolinich thought nothing of taking a
90-minute flight to St Petersburg from his home in Kiev for the
opportunity to meet and play with the two squash stars visiting Russia’s
second largest city as part of the nine-day tour of the country organised
by WISPA.
Whilst squash is in its infancy in Russia, the sport is even less
developed in neighbouring Ukraine. Dolinich is based at the Aquarium
Fitness Centre in Kiev, the largest such facility the country. However,
such is the enthusiasm for squash being generated by Dolinich and his
colleagues at the Aquarium that the one-court centre will be augmented by
a further three courts before the end of the year.
Dolinich is also leading a bid to establish the country’s first national
federation, based at the Aquarium. “We have had a lot of help from the
from the World Squash Federation (WSF) and now hope that the new
organisation will be fully established within the next three months,” said
the 25-year-old.
Dolinich was revisiting the five-court Hypersquash Centre in St
Petersburg, primary host of the WISPA visit to the city, where a year ago
he won the St Petersburg Open. “It was very exciting to play both Sarah
and Vanessa, and meet the WISPA team, and I would very much like to host a
similar event to this in our country in the future,” said the avid squash
enthusiast.
In July, Dolinich is staging the “Senior Aquarium Open”, to which players
from Eastern Europe, Russia and the Baltic countries will be invited.
While in St Petersburg, he received a phone call from local company Tez
Tour, confirming that they would sponsor this new event – the first in the
Ukraine.
Further news from home during his stay revealed that a major TV network in
the Ukraine had screened a short feature on squash in one of its popular
magazine programmes – marking the sport’s first TV exposure in the
country!
“We proposed the idea to this TV network some time ago, so I am so glad
they followed up our suggestion – and I look forward to seeing it when I
get home,” said the tireless squash promoter.
WISPA Director Andrew Shelley added: “We are focussed on Russia, but to
meet, talk to and help Roman and his efforts in Ukraine is an unexpected
but welcome bonus for our visit.”
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Russian Squash Federation
Roman Dolinich
squash.com.ua
HyperSquash Centre
|
18-Jun
WISPA Stars Vie With
Putin For Russian Headlines
"My heart is crying that more people were not able to come and see world
squash stars Sarah and Vanessa in action at our club on the final day of
their visit," exclaimed Irina Podubnaya, owner of the Hypersquash Centre
in St Petersburg, despite a packed gallery at the five-court club.
Australia's five-times world champion Sarah Fitz-Gerald and world No5
Vanessa Atkinson, from the Netherlands, were visiting Russia's second
largest city as part of a nine-day promotional visit to the country,
organised by the Women's International Squash Players' Association.
The WISPA visit, arranged in conjunction with the Russian Squash
Federation, is the latest initiative in the Association's continuing drive
to promote women's squash around the world.
Irina's despair was caused both by the decision two weeks earlier to call
a four-day national holiday during the visit, as well as a last-minute
decision by Russian President Vladimir Putin to pay a state visit to the
city - causing whole sections of St Petersburg to be blocked off for
security reasons! Putin's party were staying at the same hotel as the
WISPA group, but the President was unable to fit in a meeting with the
WISPA stars!
"To have Sarah and Vanessa at our club was the most fantastic honour - we
have never seen such high quality squash on our courts and we are so
grateful to them for taking time out to visit our club," added Irina at
the end-of-visit celebrations.
The WISPA stars' exhibition match and those against local players were
videod for screening in the club's reception as a permanent reminder of
Fitz-Gerald and Atkinson's visit.
"The visit will undoubtedly inspire all those who met Sarah and Vanessa -
as well as influence others to take up the sport," said the dynamic
Podubnaya, who is just days away from giving birth to her second child!
"But it will also give a huge boost to the sponsorship potential of our
forthcoming fifth St Petersburg Open, which we plan to stage here in
September/October. It will be one of the biggest ever events held here,
attracting players from all over the Baltic region including Estonia,
Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Ukraine, Yugoslavia, Poland and Bulgaria,"
Irina added.
The WISPA visit attracted unprecedented media attention for the sport in
the region. "Women's Squash Champions Beat Our Best Players" screamed the
headline of a prominent news story in the "Comsomolskaya Pravda", a
hugely-popular national paper which sells an incredible 35 million copies
a day and is a sister publication to the established Pravda newspaper.
The report acknowledged that "it was great luck for us to have this visit"
and quoted Alexei Severinov: "I played three matches and lost them all."
The writer concluded that the essential ingredient for future success for
Russia in squash would be for the country "to have more experienced
coaches".
The region's leading TV network also covered the visit, pointing out the
appeal of squash to people of St Petersburg, where the city almost grinds
to a halt in the winter when temperatures can reach as low as 40 degrees!
While in St Petersburg, Fitz-Gerald and Atkinson were also able to visit
one of the city's oldest clubs, the Kosmonavtov Club. The two-court centre
was founded in 1997 by enthusiast Pavel Sebirtsev, who discovered the
sport when working in Finland. He also helped build a single-court club in
the city's main street Nevsky Prospekt which opened two months earlier in
August 1997.
The two clubs built up a nucleus of the city's earliest players and
Sebirtsev is now President of the St Petersburg Squash Federation.
"Just seeing the personal enthusiasm which has enabled Pavel to actually
build his two courts, allied with the commercial approach of Irina at her
centre, makes the whole visit worthwhile," said WISPA Director Andrew
Shelley. "These are people desperately striving to develop squash in
Russia and, although we can only support in a terribly small way, it is
the least that the pro end of the game can do for the future of our sport.
"If only we could help the Pavels and Irinas in so many other countries
too."
The WISPA party now move to Moscow on the second leg of the visit. |
Russian Squash Federation
Vanessa and Sarah pictured by the famous
Bronze Horseman statue, a monument to Peter The Great, founder of St
Petersburg in 1703
Hypersquash owner Irina Podubnaya receives
a WISPA memento
Sarah and Vanessa flanked by
enthusiasts at the Hypersquash Centre
Overlooking the
two courts at the Kosmonavtov Club in St Petersburg are (L to R):
nationally-ranked player Katya Alexeeva, Sarah, Vanessa, and club owner
and St Petersburg Squash Federation President Pavel Sebirtsev |
16-Jun
St Petersburg Welcomes
WISPA Squash Ambassadors
Just two weeks after St Petersburg welcomed 50 of the world's leading
heads of government, including US President George Bush and UK Prime
Minister Tony Blair, to celebrate the 300th anniversary of its foundation,
Russia's second largest city opened its doors to the fifth Women's
International Squash Players' Association (WISPA) promotional tour led by
Australia's five-times world champion Sarah Fitz-Gerald and world No5
Vanessa Atkinson, from the Netherlands.
The WISPA visit, arranged in conjunction with the Russian Squash
Federation, is the latest initiative in the Association's continuing drive
to promote women's squash around the world.
The main base in St Petersburg was the five-court Hypersquash Centre. Club
owner Irina Podubnaya had organised a full itinerary which involved master
classes, exhibition matches, press conferences and chances for local
players to quiz the squash stars.
Irina refused to let the fact that she was due to give birth to her second
child get in the way of her plans as she revelled in this unique
opportunity for her young club.
Squash in Russia is very much in its infancy with the USSR Federation
joining the World Squash Federation (WSF) only in 1993 after being formed
in 1990. Built less than two years ago, the Hypersquash Centre became the
biggest centre in Russia and staged the 2003 National Championships in
January.
There are believed to be just 60 courts throughout the huge country, the
five principal bases being Moscow, St Petersburg, Krasnoyarsk (a five-hour
flight from St Petersburg!), Ekaterineburg and Kazan.
While Fitz-Gerald, the former President of WISPA and now Patron, was
embarking on her fourth such WISPA expedition to raise the profile of
women's squash, it was Atkinson's first time as a WISPA 'ambassador'. The
27-year-old from The Hague has made rapid progress up the world rankings
over the past year to become the highest-ranked player ever from The
Netherlands.
Members young and old flocked into the Hypersquash centre to meet the
WISPA stars and join the elite players on court. "It was the most
fantastic experience ever," exclaimed 16-year-old Alina Tuzlukova, who is
touted as a "future squash star of Russia".
Katja Glintchikova, the striking Russian women's national champion, also
joined the group eager to challenge the WISPA pair.
Another youngster inspired by the occasion was nine-year-old Michael
Chpakov, who gave up tennis after four years when he discovered squash -
and is now completely hooked on the sport.
Chpakov is coached by Alexei Severinov, the 24-year-old from St Petersburg
who was first introduced to squash some six years ago and is now the
Russian men's champion.
Inspired to give up also playing tennis when a visiting Pakistani student
Kuram Javed pointed out his squash talent, Severinov became the first
Russian member of the Professional Squash Association (PSA) just a year
ago.
He made his international debut in the 2002 World Open in Belgium, where
he lost in the first qualifying round to Welshman Gavin Jones. Alexei
later played in a Qatar Circuit event, and an Austrian Challenger before
reaching the quarter-finals of the Estonian Open in March when he lost to
England's Mark Chaloner.
Now that he has finished his Management degree at St Petersburg
University, Alexei is looking forward to focussing full-time on squash -
concentrating on building up his fitness over the summer and working with
Egyptian Ibrahim Assal, the Russian National Coach, in Moscow.
"Sarah and Vanessa's visit has been great for squash here - giving local
players the chance to see a level of squash they have never seen before
and showing what professional squash is all about. I am sure it will
really motivate the young players.
"It has also helped me realise that I have a lot of work to do - but I am
determined to put everything into my aim to break into the world top 100
within a year," said Severinov after games against both Sarah and Vanessa.
For many, the climax of the first day at Hypersquash was the exhibition
match between Sarah Fitz-Gerald and Atkinson. Sarah, who withdrew from the
WISPA World Tour in February, unbeaten for more than 18 months and top of
the world rankings, had not played the fast-rising world No5 since the
World Open in Qatar in October 2002.
It was an exhilarating encounter, with Sarah taking the opening game and
Vanessa grabbing the second and leading 7-3 in the decider. The wily
Australian dug deep, however, and fought back to win 9-6 7-9 9-7.
"Even though it was fun for us tonight, it still means something to win,"
Fitz-Gerald told the captivated crowd afterwards. Atkinson responded:
"Sarah's actually retired - and she still beats me!"
The WISPA duo went on to answer numerous questions the St Petersburg fans
had for them. "Squash is a great sport and you have a great club here with
five excellent courts and good facilities," Fitz-Gerald told the crowd. "I
hope we've given you an idea of what the sport has to offer and that
people here like Alexei will continue to influence players and help them
improve."
When asked about their visit, Vanessa added: "St Petersburg is a beautiful
city, which reminds me of Amsterdam, with so many canals. We've had a
great time, with everyone here being so enthusiastic.
"When you consider that the sport is so young here, with no experienced
coaches in St Petersburg, the standard is very encouraging. There was one
young boy in my group who clearly loved the sport, running around all over
the court with such enthusiasm and showing real signs of talent."
|
Sarah Fitz-Gerald with
Russian national champions
Alexei Severinov and
Katja Glintchikova
Vanessa
Atkinson with promising
young junior Alina Tuzlukova
Sarah Fitz-Gerald coaches a
group of St Petersburg girls
 |
13-Jun
RUSSIAN PROMOTION FOILS
FITZ-GERALD’S WORLD CUP BID
Australia’s five-times World Squash Champion Sarah Fitz-Gerald
has been forced to decline an invitation to attend a star-studded ceremony
featuring great Australian World Champions and Olympic Gold Medallists in
her hometown of Melbourne to launch the 2003 Rugby Union World Cup.
“I am so disappointed and would love to have been there. It is a huge
honour to have been invited,” said the former world No1 on the eve of her
departure to St Petersburg, where she will begin a nine-day promotional
tour of Russia for the Women’s International Squash Players’ Association.
Fitz-Gerald, who is Patron of WISPA, will be joined by Vanessa Atkinson,
the world No5 from the Netherlands. The tour, which also visits Moscow, is
part of WISPA’s continuing drive to promote women’s squash around the
world.
The Tour itinerary, which has been arranged in conjunction with the
Russian Squash Federation, will feature exhibitions, clinics, press
conferences and meetings with sports bodies.
The main base in St Petersburg will be the five-court Hypersquash
Centre which hosted the Russian National
Championships earlier this year. Irina Podubnaya, the director
co-ordinating the visit, explained: "It is a dream come true for us to
have these top women come to St Petersburg. For us and our city where
squash is still a young sport, it's a long-awaited event for which we have
high expectations. Thank you WISPA.”
Several venues will be part of the Moscow programme. Vasily Borisov,
President of the Russian Squash Federation, welcomes the visit, saying:
"Interest in squash is growing in Russia, and we look forward to making
squash a big sport in the country. To join with WISPA to bring top players
will help us encourage our growing group of players as well as show squash
to the newspapers and television.”
The event in Melbourne will take place before the Wallabies v England test
match at the Telstra Dome on June 21. The champions will be ceremonially
presented to the crowd as part of a 'show' which will include; video
packages highlighting the athletes’ achievements, fireworks and live music
performance. The athletes will finish on the main entertainment stage,
where they will witness the finale to this show and the unveiling of the
Rugby World Cup. |
|
24-Apr-03
Fifth WISPA Promotional
Tour Targets Russia
The Women's International Squash Players' Association (WISPA) is
continuing its drive to promote women's squash around the world with its
fifth annual WISPA Promotional Tour in June to Russia.
The
tour will be led by Australia's five-times world champion Sarah Fitz-Gerald,
now the Patron of WISPA since her retirement from the international
circuit earlier this year, and top European Vanessa Atkinson, the world
No6 from the Netherlands.
The Tour itinerary, which has been arranged in conjunction with the
Russian Squash Federation, will feature exhibitions, clinics, press
conferences and meetings with sports bodies in St Petersburg and Moscow
from 13-22 June.
The main base in St Petersburg will be the five-court Hypersquash Centre
which hosted the Russian National Championships earlier this year. Irina
Podubnaya, the director co-ordinating the visit, explained:
"It is a dream come true for us to have these top women come to St
Petersburg. For us and our city where squash is still a young sport, it's
a long-awaited event for which we have high expectations. Thank you WISPA."
Several venues will be part of the Moscow programme. Vasily Borisov,
President of the Russian Squash Federation, welcomes the visit, saying:
"Interest in squash is growing in Russia, and we look forward to making
squash a big sport in the country. To join with WISPA to bring top players
will help us encourage our growing group of players as well as show squash
to the newspapers and television."
WISPA Director Andrew Shelley added: "We feel it's vital to be pro-active
with this kind of development support for squash, rather than sit back and
wait for the market to grow. These promotional Tours do enable us to help
in a small way.
"We are of course indebted to our two leading players for their part in
this programme, as they give their time free," Shelley explained.
"Although she has retired from the Tour, Sarah has always been keen to
support such initiatives - and Vanessa, recent winner of the Irish Open,
also had no hesitation in accepting our invitation."
WISPA's promotional tour concept was launched in 1999 with a visit to the
Czech Republic. Successive years saw trips to Jamaica, El Salvador, Peru,
Kenya, Thailand, Brunei and Sarawak.
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