SQUASH’S bid to be included in the Olympic Games could well be foiled by something out of the control of those running the game — the global economic downturn.
The number of tournaments on the professional circuits have shrunk alarmingly this year leaving the sport’s future prospects in grave doubt.
Despite claims that the sport is played in 175 countries by over 20 million people, the effect is not being seen on the PSA and Wispa Tours where players are scrambling to find tournaments to play.
One major women’s tournament in the United States fell victim to the economic crunch while the men’s Tournament of Champions in New York attracted widespread media criticism in January after sponsors Bear Sterns, a financial institution, saw it fit to spend its government handout on a squash event.
Squash could have done without the bad publicity in the US, where the sport needs to market itself the most if it hopes to gain inclusion into the Olympics.
Only seven of last year’s 10 Gold-status tournaments remain on the calendar this year but ominously, five of the tournaments carry “TBC” or to-be-confirmed next to the scheduled dates.
Similarly on the PSA Tour, where the calendar has only been confirmed up to May, uncertainty reigns.
How is this going to help squash get into the 2016 Olympic Games then?
When the International Olympic Committee’s executive board meets in June to consider the bids of the seven sports vying for two places in the Games, the credit squeeze affecting squash will not escape their attention.
The June meeting is crucial for squash as the board would then make its recommendations to the entire IOC membership for a vote in October in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Squash only just missed reaching the two-thirds threshold in the last vote but only needs a simple majority this time, raising the hopes of many within the fraternity.
Rugby would also fancy itself with the sevens, a shorter version of the game, a popular format in many countries.
Others vying for inclusion are baseball, softball, karate and roller sports.
Source: NST
Malaysia’s own women’s world No 1 Nicol David is lending a hand after joining seven other players as the sport’s Olympic bid ambassadors.
While Nicol is effusive of squash’s chances of getting to the Olympics, the fact remains squash compares poorly against golf and rugby where prize money and spectator interest is concerned.
Even broadcasters do not telecast squash matches as often as say, tennis, or even badminton.
And Malaysians are getting a good dose of baseball with the telecast of the on-going World Baseball Classic.
But how many Malaysians have seen with their own eyes Nicol winning the World Open?
Granted you have to wonder why some sports remain in the Olympics despite a lack of global interest — modern pentathlon immediately springs to mind — but it is far more difficult to get onto the programme than to retain a spot in the Olympics.
Squash is hugely popular in Egypt, and Malaysia to a certain extent, but remains a peripheral sport elsewhere, even in Britain, Australia and Pakistan, who have given birth to some of the greats in the game.
It would be great for Malaysia of course if squash is successful in its Olympic bid, but I hasten to add, don’t hold your breath.
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