Squash's future still bright, says its PSA

London, Sep 9 (IANS): Despite being “devastated” by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) decision to choose wrestling ahead of squash in the 2020 Olympic Games programme, the Professional Squash Association (PSA) believes that the racket sport has a great future.

“We are obviously devastated, not only for the whole sport and squash fans everywhere, but for the players, current and future that have worked so hard for this,” said PSA CEO Alex Gough Monday.

“We can be very proud of the efforts of everyone and none more so than our world number one Ramy Ashour, who has put in so much time into the bid process.”

It was at Sunday’s meeting of the 125th IOC Session in Buenos Aires that squash – shortlisted with wrestling and baseball/softball as one of three sports being considered for addition to the 2020 Olympics, and the only one never to have been in the Games before – lost out to wrestling. It was squash’s third failed bid.

“The presentation in Buenos Aires yesterday was something we can all be proud of – and shows the great future that squash has, with or without the Olympics.

“Our sport has much to offer the Games – let’s hope that this is not the end of our Olympic journey.”

Among numerous reactions from players across the world, England’s former world number one Nick Matthew perhaps summed up the feelings: “Despite disappointment the squash world can be massively proud of its efforts over these past four years.”