From the townships of Soweto to many of the world's wealthiest cities, from the southern tip of South America to the edge of the Arctic Circle, squash players all over the globe are uniting to support their sport's bid for a place in the 2016 Olympic Games. Squash 2016 Day takes place on Saturday (May 23) with a worldwide festival of Olympic-themed events.

Special emphasis is focused on the four cities bidding to host the 2016 Games, with extensive squash programmes scheduled to take place in Chicago, Madrid, Rio and Tokyo.

All four cities will be holding open-air demonstrations and open days at major clubs with top professionals lending a hand.

Squash 2016 fever has caught on all over the world and the day launches in New Zealand with rock star Phil Buscke, guitarist with The Datsuns, wearing his Squash 2016 T-shirt as he does a bungee jump from Auckland Harbour Bridge live on TV.

Clubs big and small are joining forces as the sport aims to raise its profile ahead of the crucial IOC voting process.

Pimville Squash Club in Soweto is holding an open day, with hundreds of local children taking to the courts for a free introduction to the sport.


WORLD STARS SUPPORT THE BID

Women's world champion Nicol David and England No1 Nick Matthew are backing the bid in style.

David, the 25-year-old world No1 from Malaysia, is holding an auction of her prized tournament memorabilia in her home city of Penang.

World No6 Matthew, meanwhile, is heading to Milan for the Five Nations Tournament with his Sheffield Hallamshire team taking Squash 2016 banners, flags and T-shirts to the Polisquash Sports Club.


TAKING TO THE STREETS

Squash buses will be taking to the streets in London and the Malaysian capital of Kuala Lumpur, where squash enthusiasts will be waving their banners and posing for pictures in front of iconic locations such as Buckingham Palace and the Petronas Towers.

At the end of the day, Squash 2016 Day organisers will have amassed an amazing collection of images from all over the world, which will help to illustrate squash's truly global appeal.


FROM BOLLYWOOD TO HOLLYWOOD

Some Bollywood-style photo opportunities are being planned in India, with squash fans descending on the Taj Mahal, Agra, and also the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel, which was attacked by terrorists in November last year.  There are further Squash 2016 activities all over India, with events taking place in Mumbai, Chennai, Delhi and Kolkata.

In America, a host of events are taking place all over the country, with squash fans waving banners and flags in front of the world famous Hollywood sign in Los Angeles.

Elsewhere, squash legends Jonathon Power and John White will be taking part alongside women's world No2 Natalie Grainger in the 100-a-side Battle of The Border match at the Apawamis Club in Connecticut.


24-HOUR MARATHONS

Two 24-hour marathons are being held, one at the Leñadura Country Club at the southern Chilean city of Punta Arenas, and the other at Thurles Squash Club in County Tipperary, Ireland.


For further information on Squash 2016 Day activities, please log on to: www.worldsquashday.com

For information on the World Squash Federation Olympic bid, please go to: www.squash2016.info