WORLD SQUASH NEWS

World Squash Day Unites Clubs Worldwide

Saturday (March 19) is World Squash Day as clubs all over the globe work together to promote the sport's bid for a place in the Olympic Games.

Endorsed by the World Squash Federation (WSF), World Squash Day is designed to raise the profile of the game as the IOC begins its assessment programme of the sports seeking a place in the 2012 Games.

Squash has made dramatic steps in terms of the promotion of the sport, with events such as this week's ISS Canary Wharf Classic in London taking place on all-glass courts in attractive locations.

World Squash Day organiser Alan Thatcher, an English journalist and event promoter based in Kent, says:  "Our aim is for all clubs on the planet to open their doors and show the world what a great sport we have.

"Squash is a fast and highly entertaining sport played by millions of enthusiasts all over the world and fully deserves a place in the Olympic Games alongside the other main racket sports.  Squash fulfils all the criteria for inclusion in terms of international spread - and innovations such as the glass court have led to a dramatic improvement of the sport's presentation and television appeal."

Thatcher also believes that the inclusion of squash would boost Great Britain's medal chances.  He added:  "British players have consistently filled half of the places in the top ten of the male and female world rankings and that would suggest certain medals for British players."

For full details of World Squash Day activities taking place around the world, see the event's website http://www.worldsquashday.org