Blog: Biggest party in the world

By Alan Thatcher

April 6, 2013 - 9:41am

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Squash 2020 graphic by SIMON SCOTT (www.kentbridgesports.co.uk)

BLOG: Getting ready for the biggest party in the world

With one month to go before bidding sports make a presentation to the IOC, wrestling is making a last, desperate bid to regain Olympic status.

Apparently, May has been declared “World Wrestling Month” by the sport’s global governing body.

I wonder where they got the idea from?

I was asked yesterday if World Squash Day could be extended to a month this year.

Absolutely no problem. When squash gets voted into the 2020 Olympics in September, I think we could easily party for a month!

Top 30 women commit to British Open

All of the top 30 players in the WSA world rankings have entered the Allam British Open in Hull next month.

Nicol David is seeded to retain the title she won last year at the O2 Arena in London, with Laura Massaro, who beat David in the semi-finals of the recent KL Open, seeded two and keen to triumph on home territory.

England’s Emily Whitlock has been awarded the wild card this year, and she faces a tough task in the first round against world No.4 Alison Waters.

WSA First Round Draw, May 21st:

[1] Nicol David (Mas) v Qualifier
[10] Natalie Grinham (Ned) v Sarah Kippax (Eng)
[6] Joelle King (Nzl) v Qualifier
[13] Annie Au (Hkg) v Aisling Blake (Irl)

[4] Alison Waters (Eng) v [WC] Emily Whitlock (Eng)
[16] Rachael Grinham (Aus) v Qualifier
[7] Low Wee Wern (Mas) v Sarah-Jane Perry (Eng)
[12] Kasey Brown (Aus) v Qualifier

[9] Camille Serme (Fra) v Samantha Teran (Mex)
[8] Jenny Duncalf (Eng) v Qualifier
[11] Madeline Perry (Irl) v Qualiier
[3] Raneem El Weleily (Egy) v Qualifier

[14] Omneya Abdel Kawy (Egy) v Donna Urquhart (Aus)
[5] Nour El Sherbini (Egy) v Qualifier
[15] Dipika Pallikal (Ind) v  Line Hansen (Den)
[2] Laura Massaro (Eng) v Joey Chan (Hkg)

Refereeing debate on Squashsite

Tim Garner’s comments about refereeing on the Let’s Talk forum have sparked some heated responses.

The video review system is clearly a work in progress and needs developing to include double bounces and similar incidents, especially at the front of the court.

An alternative solution, and one that I have frequently lobbied for, is to redeploy one of the three back-wall officials to watch the action through the sidewall.

His or her job would be call balls up or down, advise on incidents in that part of the court, and confirm if a shot has hit the tin.

With referees seated so far from the court in televised matches, we are making life too difficult for them.

WSA ban players from PST

Still on women’s squash, the Pro Squash Tour is launching a women’s event, the New England Open, from April 12-14, in Acton, Massachusetts.  According to reports, the WSA has advised members not to take part.

 MARIA TAKES TO THE STAGE

Maria Toor Pakay is an amazing young woman who fled the Taliban to pursue her dream of becoming a squash player.

Thanks to the kindness of Canadian legend Jonathon Power, she arrived in Toronto keen to become a professional player.

With his help she has hit the world top 50.

She has also improved her command of English to the extent that she is now happy to stand on stage and share her experiences with audiences in a quest to help and inspire other young people.

Please watch this video:

http://www.tedxteen.com/talks/tedxteen-2013/163-maria-toorpakai-wazir-squashing-extremism