Originally due to be staged in Cairo, the 2011 Women’s World Junior Individual & Team Squash Championshipswill be played at Harvard University in Boston, thanks to an agreement struck this week between the World Squash Federation (WSF) and U.S. SQUASH.
The recent turmoil in Egypt prompted the WSF to relocate the event, which will take place from 20-30 July.
“Egypt not only have great strength as a squash nation, but are also regular and very successful hosts of world championships,” said WSF Chief Executive Andrew Shelley in explaining the move. “But we felt that it would be better to leave a little time for the country to settle down before what we hope will be an early return.
“Understandably, we are delighted that U.S. SQUASH, in conjunction with the superb facilities of Harvard University, will pick up the baton to ensure that the most important event in junior women’s squash maintains its place in the calendar.”
Commenting upon becoming host, U.S. SQUASH Chief Executive Kevin Klipstein said: “It was clear to the Board and me that stepping up to help the WSF in this circumstance was the right thing to do. We are very pleased to be in a position to focus our attention on hosting such an important tournament.
“With US number one and world number eighteen Amanda Sobhy competing as defending individual champion and leading the US team, it promises to be an exciting competition. It will also be an excellent opportunity to gain some exposure for squash in the United States.
“We appreciate Harvard’s willingness to support this event by hosting it at their world class Murr Center and we expect to work very closely with Massachusetts Squash and the entire community in making it a very memorable championship,” concluded Klipstein.