Olympics: Squash officials happy after IOC visit

HONG KONG: Wet weather failed to dampen spirits at the Hong Kong Open squash tournament at the weekend and federation officials hope International Olympic Committee (IOC) representatives saw the sport’s potential to feature on the 2020 Olympic programme. World Squash Federation (WSF) President N Ramachandran hoped that the Hong Kong Open, with its outdoor glass court on the Tsim Sha Tsui waterfront, had left a favourable impression with the two IOC representatives. “I could not be happier with this weekend,” said Ramachandran in a statement. “While it is not one of our largest events by capacity, it has been framed to bring squash to the public.” Malaysian Nicol David won her eighth straight Hong Kong title by beating Frenchwoman Camille Serme, while Egypt’s 2010 winner Ramy Ashour regained the men’s title after beating defending champion James Willstrop.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 5^th, 2012.