‘Disappointed that squash is not part of Olympics’
With squash failing in three consecutive bids since 2005 to become part of the Olympic programme, Indian star Dipika Pallikal expressed her disappointment on Sunday and said she and other top players are hurt the sport hasn’t got deserving place in the quadrennial Games.
By : migrator
Update: 2016-02-07 14:00 GMT
Chennai
Squash was kept among eight sports shortlisted for possible inclusion at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo but eventually failed to make be in the five sports that were recommended by the host nation in September last year.
Squash is being played in more than 185 countries and World Squash Federation president Narayana Ramachandran was left devastated after the sport was not included in the Tokyo Games.
“For every athlete, being part of Olympics is the biggest thing and it is a dream to win medals. It obviously hurts, and we are disappointed that our sport is doing well in all the spheres and still failed to win Olympic bid,” Dipika said.
“Our sport is an Olympic sport and deserves to be there. We are proud what squash has done over the years,” she said.
In September 2013, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) reinstated wrestling in the 2020, 2024 Olympics.
English squash star Nick Matthew earlier pointed out that the Professional Squash Association (PSA) should take over Olympic bid from World Squash Federation (WSF), and Dipika seconded him. She believes that with quality members present in the PSA, it can push the sport into the Olympics.
“We all agree...what PSA has done for us. We have grown a lot because of PSA and players. PSA will definitely bring big difference, and people who are there know and having played the game, understand it more,” the 24-year-old said.
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