Having launched a scathing attack on WSF President N Ramachandran, the Professional Squash Association (PSA) today expressed its desire to overhaul the existing World Squash Federation structure by proposing to form a 'Global Task Force' for the sport to progress.
PSA Chairman Ziad Al-Turki and CEO Alex Gough attended the WSF Conference and Annual General Meeting in Nice, France earlier this month and challenged WSF leadership on a range of topics including accountability for recent failures in the sport's bid for Olympic inclusion.
In addition to a delegate calling for WSF President Ramachandran to resign, other questions were raised about his apparent conflict of interest in also leading the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), the persistent allegations related to his affiliation with the IOA, and the degree to which the negative press associated with it were a liability to the sport of squash.
From these meetings and discussions, a coalition of national squash federations, in partnership with the PSA, proposed the formation of a 'Global Task Force' which will function independently from squash's world body, the WSF.
The task force will analyse the current situation globally for squash, assess the various roles that must be in place to ensure a solid foundation for growth while also competently supporting the sport's ambitions for Olympic inclusion.
PSA CEO Alex Gough had earlier told PTI that a 17-point document prepared by PSA with some National Federations was produced at the WSF AGM in Nice last week, blaming the governing body for the failed Olympic bid.
The PSA document, first accessed by Squash Mad, states that Ramachandran, who is also heading the Indian Olympic Association, continuing as WSF chief is an "embarrassment to the sport".
Al-Turki said, "Professional tour has garnered a huge amount of momentum over past few years, including amalgamation between the men's and women's tours earlier this year."
"A clear and concise strategy supported by best practice governance is needed now more than ever to both support the sport at the grassroots globally, and to ensure squash fulfils its great potential. We will continue to liaise with all member nations over the coming weeks and months with the joint goal of developing the strongest possible structure."
In response to the proposed formation of the task force, US Squash Chairman John Fry said, "We encourage this close cooperation among federations and the professional tour, the key stakeholders in the game, and will support the task force in any way possible, and in particular, any focus on development efforts at the grassroots.
