Cherished Olympics Dream Finally A Reality For Squash Community
South Africa’s elite players will have Los Angeles 2028 in their sights
Johannesburg, South Africa: Squash in South Africa has been lit up with the sport’s acceptance into one of the biggest platforms on the global stage after it was added to the roster for the 2028 Olympic Games to be held in Los Angeles (LA28 Olympics).
After many years of putting forward its case for inclusion in the Games, the decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has been widely welcomed by squash administrators and players around the world.
For South African officials who have supported these efforts for so long, there was a sense of exhilaration at the development.
Squash SA President Kyle Potgieter added, though, that they had been on tenterhooks until everything was confirmed.
“Alongside the World Squash Federation (WSF), Squash SA feels that this has been a long time coming,” he said. “When we heard that WSF president Zena Wooldridge was attending the IOC meeting, we knew we had been accepted, but couldn’t celebrate until it was officially announced by the world body. “From our point of view, no words can truly describe the joy after hearing the news that squash had successfully been admitted to the LA28 Olympics. “This is a moment that the squash community could only have dreamed of and now it has become a reality. “There is incredible excitement across squash circles in South Africa and this is a transformational step for the future of the sport. “It is, indeed, a historical moment for squash and the Olympics have now instantly become the new zenith of the sport.”
South African professional and top-ranked woman Alex Fuller said it was fitting that squash had finally received its place on the Olympics stage.
“The excitement has been super high from squash players around the world, and we are finally getting recognition from one of the world’s biggest events – the Olympics,” said the world’s 36th-ranked player. “As a sport, squash has developed and changed over the years. It’s become extremely physical , fast-paced and attacking. “It’s a sport played at the highest intensity and, being a sport for all ages and any level, it’s only fitting that squash is a part of the Olympics.”
Fuller felt this development would benefit both current and future generations.
“I was so excited and proud that squash got in to the 2028 Olympics. It’s a massive leap for the sport and hopefully gives future generations some inspiration. “The Olympics will be the pinnacle and performing at the Games is a dream for any squash player. Now that it can become a reality is so special. “I am just so happy that future generations have something to strive for and I hope this drives a lot more players to take their squash seriously and professionally.”
South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) president Barry Hendricks, who has close ties to squash, was also delighted with the decision.
“As a former president of Squash SA, I am thrilled with this decision,” he said. “I know the World Squash Federation has been working hard and tirelessly to get to this point, and it’s a wonderful opportunity to create new role models and champions for other people to follow.”
He added that it was now a matter of various stakeholders working together to ensure that South Africa’s squash players received the chance to appear on this iconic stage.
“Our policy at Sascoc is that if you meet the qualification requirements, we will take you,” Hendricks said. We will now meet with the national body and our high-performance team during the five years in which we must prepare for event. Whether it is via professional ranking points or qualifying through Africa, Sascoc is extremely happy that another sport is being flighted at the Olympics and it gives us a great opportunity to continue to grow squash in SA.”
Potgieter said the Olympics decision would have immense benefits for the sport in SA.
“This encourages all up-and-coming squash players and current form players to work even harder to be included in this prestigious Olympic event,” he said. “Hopefully, we can expand the involvement of current sponsors and possibly attract new sponsors, which will continue the growth we have seen in events and players. “It will be amazing to have our athletes acknowledged as Olympians and a chance to perform on the greatest sports platform. “Players can now use this as a target in their planning, with the goal of being in LA to represent South Africa in the Olympics for the very first time. “Squash SA is very proud of WSF for pursuing the fight to get squash included in the Olympics for so many years, and all squash lovers are finally saying ‘eventually the best sport in the world has finally been accepted as a code in the Olympics’.”
Potgieter added that it would be a priority to continue developing players to compete at this elite level.
“At this stage, Squash South Africa has been in contact with Sascoc and once Paris 24 is completed we will start meetings with them to ascertain exactly what needs to happen. “WSF will also guide each country as to the qualification process.”
South Africa’s elite players will have Los Angeles 2028 in their sights
Johannesburg, South Africa: Squash in South Africa has been lit up with the sport’s acceptance into one of the biggest platforms on the global stage after it was added to the roster for the 2028 Olympic Games to be held in Los Angeles (LA28 Olympics).
After many years of putting forward its case for inclusion in the Games, the decision by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has been widely welcomed by squash administrators and players around the world.
For South African officials who have supported these efforts for so long, there was a sense of exhilaration at the development.
Squash SA President Kyle Potgieter added, though, that they had been on tenterhooks until everything was confirmed.
“Alongside the World Squash Federation (WSF), Squash SA feels that this has been a long time coming,” he said. “When we heard that WSF president Zena Wooldridge was attending the IOC meeting, we knew we had been accepted, but couldn’t celebrate until it was officially announced by the world body. “From our point of view, no words can truly describe the joy after hearing the news that squash had successfully been admitted to the LA28 Olympics. “This is a moment that the squash community could only have dreamed of and now it has become a reality. “There is incredible excitement across squash circles in South Africa and this is a transformational step for the future of the sport. “It is, indeed, a historical moment for squash and the Olympics have now instantly become the new zenith of the sport.”
South African professional and top-ranked woman Alex Fuller said it was fitting that squash had finally received its place on the Olympics stage.
“The excitement has been super high from squash players around the world, and we are finally getting recognition from one of the world’s biggest events – the Olympics,” said the world’s 36th-ranked player. “As a sport, squash has developed and changed over the years. It’s become extremely physical , fast-paced and attacking. “It’s a sport played at the highest intensity and, being a sport for all ages and any level, it’s only fitting that squash is a part of the Olympics.”
Fuller felt this development would benefit both current and future generations.
“I was so excited and proud that squash got in to the 2028 Olympics. It’s a massive leap for the sport and hopefully gives future generations some inspiration. “The Olympics will be the pinnacle and performing at the Games is a dream for any squash player. Now that it can become a reality is so special. “I am just so happy that future generations have something to strive for and I hope this drives a lot more players to take their squash seriously and professionally.”
South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC) president Barry Hendricks, who has close ties to squash, was also delighted with the decision.
“As a former president of Squash SA, I am thrilled with this decision,” he said. “I know the World Squash Federation has been working hard and tirelessly to get to this point, and it’s a wonderful opportunity to create new role models and champions for other people to follow.”
He added that it was now a matter of various stakeholders working together to ensure that South Africa’s squash players received the chance to appear on this iconic stage.
“Our policy at Sascoc is that if you meet the qualification requirements, we will take you,” Hendricks said. We will now meet with the national body and our high-performance team during the five years in which we must prepare for event. Whether it is via professional ranking points or qualifying through Africa, Sascoc is extremely happy that another sport is being flighted at the Olympics and it gives us a great opportunity to continue to grow squash in SA.”
Potgieter said the Olympics decision would have immense benefits for the sport in SA.
“This encourages all up-and-coming squash players and current form players to work even harder to be included in this prestigious Olympic event,” he said. “Hopefully, we can expand the involvement of current sponsors and possibly attract new sponsors, which will continue the growth we have seen in events and players. “It will be amazing to have our athletes acknowledged as Olympians and a chance to perform on the greatest sports platform. “Players can now use this as a target in their planning, with the goal of being in LA to represent South Africa in the Olympics for the very first time. “Squash SA is very proud of WSF for pursuing the fight to get squash included in the Olympics for so many years, and all squash lovers are finally saying ‘eventually the best sport in the world has finally been accepted as a code in the Olympics’.”
Potgieter added that it would be a priority to continue developing players to compete at this elite level.
“At this stage, Squash South Africa has been in contact with Sascoc and once Paris 24 is completed we will start meetings with them to ascertain exactly what needs to happen. “WSF will also guide each country as to the qualification process.”