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Christian Leighton (WSF), Kelly
Fairweather (IOC), Jahangir Khan (WSF) in Duisburg |
 12-Aug-05:
WSF UPDATE…
Following on from yesterday's "Olympic
Update",
World
Squash Federation Chief Executive Christian Leighton reports
on the World Games, the World Masters Games, and the
upcoming WSF AGM ... |
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WORLD MASTERS
GAMES 2005
The 2005 World Masters Games was a huge success. Kai Holm,
IOC Member and President of the IMGA (International Masters
Games Association) described the event at the Closing Ceremony
as "perfect".
This edition was held in Edmonton, Canada, from July 22-31,
2005. In total, over 22,000 competitors from 84 countries
participated in 27 sports, including Squash.
 Susie
Simcock, who is a Board Member of the IMGA, attended the
World Masters Games and was delighted to report on a
well-organised and well-supported Squash event with over 380
entries.
Among the many winners in the multiple age categories was
Sarah FitzGerald with a gold medal in the +35 competition.
Susie was impressed by how Edmonton put into practice the
Games' slogan "Passion Qualifies You".
No better testament to this than the inspirational
performances of a 96 year old in the swimming event, a 80+
year old in the half marathon and a 77 year old in the
triathlon! Edmonton embraced everyone in style with the end
prize being an ultimate celebration of sportsmanship and
camaraderie.
The World Masters Games help to promote the sport of Squash.
We look forward to the next edition in Sydney in 2009.
Finally, Susie will kill me but she deserves a special mention
after grabbing two silver medals in the Golf
competition, which had 1,800 entries.
Congratulations Susie!
World Masters Games coverage
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2005 AGM &
CONFERENCE, BRAZIL
This year's AGM will be in Costa do Sauipe, Bahia, Brazil.
The dates are Nov 16-19, 2005.
Strategically, we have chosen Brazil to get Latin America more
involved in World Squash. Our mission as a world body is to
promote Squash in all regions and in as many countries as
possible.
Having the 2005 AGM in Brazil represents a valuable tool to
kick-start growth in the region and gives a boost to our
efforts of keeping Squash in the programme of the Panamerican
Games Rio 2007.
Costa do Sauipe is a superb beach resort complex in the north
east of Brazil. Our hotel will be the 5- star Sofitel Costa do
Sauipe that provides for all our meeting needs as well
spectacular options for leisure including squash courts,
tennis courts and a championship golf course.
The theme of this year's Conference is 'Taking Squash to
the Next Level'.
The Olympic bid cycle has provided rich data and analyses that
point to where we should be headed as a sport. Thus, the time
is perfect for World Squash to take a good look at ourselves
and define our Vision for the future.
The Conference programme is taking shape but you should come
prepared to brainstorm, share your great ideas and experiences
and challenge how we run Squash today.
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WORLD GAMES 2005
 The
World Games is a multi-sport event for non-Olympic sports conducted
under the patronage of the IOC.
Ever since its inception in 1981, The World Games have enjoyed
exceptional development with growing number of sports, athletes,
media interest and support from National Olympic Committees.
The WSF supports The World Games on an ongoing basis for various
reasons:
- They provide our athletes an
opportunity to compete in their own elite multi-sport event and
represent their countries as members of a delegation.
- They provide an excellent
platform to showcase our sport to the world.
- They have been a stepping-stone
for several sports to the Olympic Games programme.
- They represent and promote the
ideals of sport and the Olympic Movement.
 The
7th World Games 2005 Duisburg was a huge success. With over 3,500
athletes from 40 sports and 100 countries, the table was set for a
global feast of sport competition and fraternity.
It all started with a highly
colourful and entertaining Opening Ceremony on July 14th at the MSV
Arena in Duisburg. IOC President Jacques Rogge and
International World Games Association President Ron Froehlich
led the official proceedings that were sandwiched between a show of
lights, colour, music, athletes, dancing and art.
 Jahangir
Khan, Howard Harding and myself attended the VIP
Reception and Opening Ceremony and shared fruitful discussions with
various members of the sports world.
The Squash competition was held
in Mullheim an der Ruhr from July 16-19. The level of Squash was
breathtaking and the crowds were numerous and extremely cheerful
from Day 1.
Amongst the distinguished guests were:
 1) Kelly Fairweather, Sports Director of the IOC, an
ex-player himself, enjoyed the Finals alongside Jahangir Khan and
myself.
2)
Ron Froehlich, President of the International World Games
Association (IWGA) and President Emeritus of the Association of
Recognised International Sports Federations (ARISF - of which Squash
is a member). Ron was impressed by the crowds and has always
supported widespread coverage of Squash within the Games'
promotional and media outlets.
3) Bob de Die, Senior
Vice-President of the IWGA, thoroughly enjoyed the thrilling Quarter
Final between Peter Nicol and Karim Darwish and commented: "this is
why Squash should be in the Olympic Games."
 Squash achieved all its
objectives at The World Games 2005 Duisburg. We had a fantastic
event that received plenty of media attention and coverage, the
players had a good time ϣplaying and at official athletes party
after the Finals and Jahangir Khan and myself had very productive
meetings in relation to our Olympic ambitions.
Squash
has made a powerful impact on the 7th World Games 2005 Duisburg and
we look forward to the 8th edition in Kaohsiung, Chinese Taipei,
from July 16-26 2009.
 I would like to thank Jahangir Khan for enduring a gruelling
month of July in which his WSF duties took him from Pakistan to
Singapore to Duisburg to Kuala Lumpur, all in the space of 25 days!
I would also like to thank Howard Harding and Fritz
Borchert who single-handedly took on the challenge of covering
the Squash event at The World Games 2005 Duisburg. They did an
excellent job!
Christian Leighton
Full World Games Coverage |
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