WORLD SQUASH NEWS

Asian Star Joins Jahangir In Singapore Countdown

Asian squash superstar Nicol David joins World Squash Federation President Jahangir Khan in Singapore this week for the sport's final period of lobbying for inclusion in the 2012 Olympic Games.

The IOC announced last September that Squash was one of five sports which would be "studied further" with a view to inclusion in the Olympic Games programme for 2012. 

IOC Members attending this week's 117th IOC Session in Singapore will vote on the sports programme of the 2012 Olympic Games on Friday (8th July). 

Jahangir Khan, arguably the sport's greatest ever player, with six World Open titles and a record ten British Open crowns to his name, concedes that an Olympic breakthrough by Squash would rank as his proudest achievement.

"If we get it, then forget about my British Opens, forget about my world titles," the 41-year-old Jahangir told Reuters this week.

Nicol David would be a natural contender for the sport's first Olympic Gold medal.  The 21-year-old from Penang created history in July 2001 when she became the first player to win the biennial World Junior title for a second time. 

The Asian senior champion since 1998 - when aged just 14! - Nicol won her first WISPA Grand Prix title earlier this year.  The success took David to a career-high No3 in the world rankings - a feat which was hailed in her home country as "the best ever position by a Malaysian sportsperson".

Jahangir Khan and Nicol David are in Singapore with WSF Chief Executive Christian Leighton and the Federation's Emeritus President Susie Simcock.

"The WSF is lobbying for change in the sports programme, and has been meeting and lobbying with IOC members," said Leighton.  "It has been particularly pleasant to meet with IOC members that have sent notes of support to squash in the recent past," added the WSF chief.

Channel News Asia TV screened an interview with Jahangir Khan at prime time on Tuesday, after the key speeches in the Opening Ceremony of the 117th IOC Session. 

A live poll being conducted by CNA, asking which 'new' sport should be included in the 2012 Olympic Games, shows Squash clearly in the lead - with 43% of the votes!