Paralympic recognition is a ray of light for squash and the Olympic dream
By Alan Thatcher, Squash Mad Editor
Squash has gained a significant foothold in its bid to become an Olympic sport.
The International Paralympic Committee (IPC), the global governing body of the Paralympic Movement, has confirmed the World Squash Federation as one of its Recognised International Federations.
The vision of the IPC is to enable Paralympic athletes to achieve sporting excellence and inspire and excite the world – an area in which WSF has paid increasing attention.
WSF President N Ramachandran commented: “I was delighted and grateful to hear that IPC have accorded us this status. Our Para-Squash Commission, under the Directorship of our German Federation’s President Wolfgang Bauriedel (pictured right), is already looking at ways in which we can encourage and enable anybody with an impairment to enjoy squash at all levels.
“This recognition for WSF will spur us on still further,” added Ramachandran.
This latest achievement is another step forward for squash’s Olympic ambitions. As we reported recently, the IOC have revealed that they will announce any changes to the 2020 Olympic programme ahead of the 2016 Games in Rio.
Squash is currently undergoing an in-depth evaluation process, along with baseball and a number of other sports who were outvoted by wrestling in the last election and elimination process in Buenos Aires.
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