Squash On Fire in DC to stage premier event
By HOWARD HARDING – Squash Mad International Correspondent
For the first time in the event’s 50-year history, the WSF Men’s World Team Squash Championship will be staged in the USA in 2019.
The biennial World Squash Federation championship – the 2017 edition of which will take place later this year in Marseille, France – will be held, under the auspices of US Squash, at Squash On Fire, the new state-of-the-art membership-free facility in Washington, DC.
Since its launch in 1967 in Australia, the Men’s World Team Championship has been staged in 12 countries – including Canada in 1977 – but never before in the USA.
USA has competed in the championship each year since first recording a fifth-place finish in the 1973 event in South Africa.
Squash On Fire, a superb new ‘pay to play’ facility which opened in May above Washington’s newest fire station, boasts eight squash courts, including an all-glass showcourt and a full service restaurant and bar.
Commenting on hosting the international championship featuring up to 32 countries, Squash On Fire Co-Founder Philippe Lanier said: “Hosting the WSF Men’s World Team Championship at Squash On Fire, is an honor – and that it’s is happening in DC is also very exciting. We want to make DC the squash capital of the US, and we can’t wait to welcome players from around the world to our game-changing facility.”
WSF President Jacques Fontaine also expressed his delight in the initiative: “The United States is a very strong and growing squash nation, so it is very fitting that they have the opportunity to host this Championship. I am sure that the visiting teams will have a great experience at the venues and the American capital generally.”
Further details of the 2019 championship, including the event dates, will be announced later.
About Squash On Fire:
Squash On Fire promotes itself as a world-class, high-end, eight-court squash facility that is igniting squash in the Washington, DC area. Centrally located, easily accessible, and with programs designed by award-winning coaches.
Picture courtesy of WSF