By Omar Khalid, IANS,
Manchester : India’s N. Ramachandran was Saturday elected the new president of the World Squash Federation (WSF) for a two-year term at a time when the sport is fighting for a place in the 2016 Olympic Games.
Ramchandran replaces Pakistan’s squash great Jahangir Khan as the new WSF chief. Jahangir, a record ten-time British Open had to step down from the prestigious post after completing his third consecutive term in office.
Ramachandran, president of the Asian Squash Federation (ASF), was elected unopposed after his opponent England’s Chris Stahl withdrew.
The Chennai-based Ramachandran received an overwhelming support from the WSF member delegates at the election that was held at the WSF Annual general Meeting at a local hotel here.
Ramachandran, who is an executive director of India Cements, said that he was delighted about his election as the WSF president.
“It is an honour to be the new WSF chief,” he told IANS.
“Squash is one of the fastest growing sports in the world and I intend to take it to a new level during my tenure,” he said.
The main challenge for Ramachandran will be to help squash earn a place in the 2016 Games. Squash is up against six other games including golf for a slot in the Olympics. The International Olympic Committee will decide next October which sport will be included in the Games.
“We will try our best for squash’s inclusion in the Olympics,” stressed Ramachandran.
“All possible steps will be taken to achieve this target.”
Ramachancdran, is the associate vice president of the Indian Olympic Association and vice president of the Tamil Nadu Olympic Association. He is also the secretary general of the Squash Rackets Federation of India.