Bengaluru, December 4: Squash continues its bid to get into the Olympic Movement and the 47th World Squash Federation (WSF) Annual General Meeting (AGM) held alongside the sidelines of the Men's World Team Championship, being currently held in Marseille, France has targeted the 2024 Paris Games.
It may be recalled that the sport has made many attempts to get into the Olympic Movement and it ran an extensive campaign spearheaded by leading lights Ramy Ashour and Nicol David. Even tennis great Roger Federer had endorsed the campaign.
But despite all that it was overlooked both for both 2016 (Rio) and 2020 (Tokyo) Summer Games.
France's @lequipe is asking which sports you'd like to see included in the @Paris2024 Olympic Games ...
— World Squash (@WorldSquash) November 28, 2017
Go and vote for #squash now !!https://t.co/K2ranpbpBA pic.twitter.com/MUmRyWDDlS
However, a ray of hope came when it was included in the 2018 Youth Games to be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina and the game's global governing body has stepped up efforts to secure a berth in the 2024 Paris Games.
Speaking at the AGM, WSF President Jacques Fontaine, himself a Parisian, reminded delegates that although everybody present thinks that squash would be a great addition to the Games programme, the bid must be embraced and promoted by all.
"We know that squash would bring something different and special to the Olympic Games through our wonderful youth, our professional athletes and great staging options," said Fontaine.
"So every single player, official and stakeholder should take every opportunity to promote squash to their national media, sports officials and especially influencers. WSF & Professional Squash will lead, but it is the sea wave of the whole of squash repeatedly landing that will make the difference," he added.
Meanwhile, Egypt reclaimed the WSF Men's World Team Championship after dethroning champions England in the final.
Dominant Egypt reclaim @MWT2017Squash title in Marseille https://t.co/slEOiBEtpO @WorldSquash @MasrSquash @englandsr @Karimsamy91 @AliFarag @maelshorbagy @RamyAshour
— Squash Info (@SquashInfo) December 4, 2017