With Squash taking a summer break, there have been some news stories that kept the sport in the headlines from across the world, including the UK:
Professional Squash Association upbeat after latest Olympic snub – The Guardian
On the 3rd August 2016, the IOC announced five new sports to be featured in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, sadly once again received a slap in the face with no inclusion.
Despite missing out on inclusion in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, the Professional Squash Association (PSA) is remaining positive about the profile and future of the sport. Alex Gough, CEO of the PSA statement in the Guardian response to the snub:
“The Olympic Games should be the pinnacle of any athlete’s career and inclusion in the Tokyo 2020 Games would have been a defining moment for squash and our athletes”.
“To know that dream has been taken away from our players once again is disappointing for all involved, but not unexpected. Throughout the course of the last decade, we have addressed all of the concerns the IOC has put forward and as a result, the sport is in its strongest position ever.
Dick Pound – Photo Courtesy of the Guardian
Even Dick Pound (above), the former IOC Vice President supported Squash to be featured in the Olympic Games – he has gone on record and said the sport meets all the requirements.
Taken from The Guardian – 4th August 2016: Click here for the full story
Save our Squash Courts – the story continues in Scarborough:
Following at the story of Bath Sports and Leisure Centre squash courts in the threat of removal, there was another online petition to save the courts at the Scarborough Leisure Village in Scarborough by Everyone 4 Squash. With the petition, it was to be presented to Councillor Derek J Bastiman to champion in preventing the Squash courts converted into a fitness suite.
To sign the petition, please visit: https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/everone-4-squash-1
Political support for Squash in the Olympics goes global:
Makhosini Hlongwane, the Zimbabwean Minster for Sports & Recreation
Following on the snub from the IOC, Makhosini Hlongwane, the Zimbabwean Minster for Sports & Recreation lent his voice to call for Squash to include in the Olympic Games. Speaking in the Chronicle Zimbabwe, Mr. Hlongwane argued that Squash not being featured in the Olympics could hinder the future development of the sport in general.
Introducing Theo Muzola-Pelonomi
Theo Muzola-Pelonomi
As we are an organisation of community cohesion; thus we are always intrigued with the stories of undiscovered squash talents in countries, in which there is emerging growth in junior squash participation.
In July we came across a news story in Mmegi Online, a digital Botswana publication, by renowned journalist Calistus Kolantsho, about an emerging squash talent – a young man called Theo Muzola-Pelonomi from Jwaneng in Botswana.
Theo changed his sporting interest from Football to taking up Squash. Already at the age of 17, Theo is now currently he is ranked position 454 in the world and number nine in Africa, in addition to dominating the local squash scene.
Good news all round for Squash
To sum up, these stories clearly illustrate that Squash is truly a global sport like its racquets cousins Badminton and Tennis.
With the Olympic snub, this has been going on for decades and we have our own conclusions why it is not featured in the greatest sports event – politics, hence should sports ministers from across the world unite it show that Squash is truly a sport with mass appeal.
The news of squash courts being removed, well this is happening too often and it is time for England Squash to stop this from happening or alternatively look about working in partnership with local independent squash clubs that are either managed privately by committees or volunteers to generate more junior participation opportunities for young people in the local community.
Now with the story of young Theo Muzola-Pelonomi, we are proud to see another young player from the African continent and hope his success can translate to inspiring young children of all cultures to take up squash.
These stories are helping bring Squash to the public attention, and long may it continue.
