Squash is all set to attract a new generation of female players thanks to a worldwide day of action and innovation backed by the World Squash Federation According to the world squash official website, World Squash Day takes place on 5 November and events are taking place all over the globe as clubs open their doors to welcome female members to the sport. "Squash is ideal for the modern female," said World Squash Federation Chief Executive Andrew Shelley. "It's a great calorie-burner and is rated the best sport for fitness in a number of surveys. "We hope that the many newcomers to the sport who support World Squash Day will enjoy their experience on court and realise the many benefits squash has to offer. "A superb sport for fitness and agility, squash is ideal for the recreational player and also for those who seek more demanding competition. "World Squash Day coincides with the World Open in The Netherlands and this unique day provides an ideal link between the game's leading players and a programme of grass- roots activity designed to increase female participation." National federations have been quick to promote the idea and events are taking place in a wide variety of countries, including Russia, Vietnam, Portugal, Brazil and Lebanon. Events are also taking place throughout more established squash nations including England, the US, Canada, India, Ireland, Malaysia, South Africa and Finland. In Greece, the national women's team, who recently retained the Balkan Championship, will be playing exhibition matches and passing on free tips to all comers at the Vari Sports Club in Athens. The Greeks and the Irish are really capturing the spirit of the day with the emphasis on staging fun events to attract a new playing audience. Deirdre Faul of Irish Squash said: "Ireland is looking forward to celebrating World Squash Day this year. Events are being organised by Irish Squash and Leinster Squash at a large number of clubs. The emphasis is on having fun on the day and encouraging new players young and old on to the court." World Squash Day founder Alan Thatcher, president of the Kent SRA in England, said: "It seems that the accent of many events taking place on World Squash Day will be on fun, fitness and friendship. We hope those themes will be echoed throughout the world." Meanwhile, Vijay Gajjar, president of the African Squash Federation, announced this week that the next All- Africa Junior Championships will be staged in Harare, Zimbabwe, from 5-10 April 2012 during which the African Squash Federation will also meet. Commenting on the first time that the event has been staged in Harare, at the St John's Squash Club, Gajjar said: "While Egypt goes from strength to strength at the top of the sport, here in Africa there are encouraging signs of growth in a number of other countries. "A number of traditional squash-playing nations have a well-developed squash culture. In Congo, for example, the government has provided land for a national centre, and a new scheme 'Squash to Schools' has been launched there. Malawi is also targeting primary and high schools as part of its strategic plan with government sponsorship under the title 'President's Initiative for Sport'. "Namibian squash also continues to develop, with the country competing in the Men's World Team Championships this year for the first time. And with Botswana, Zambia and other countries active, too, there are growth spurts to be seen across the continent," concluded Gajjar. N Ramachandran, president of the World Squash Federation, welcomed the announcement: "Sub Saharan Africa has tended to be a hidden gem in the world of squash. Despite limited resources, there is so much going on, with national federations spearheading initiatives to develop the sport. "We can only praise this work which will ensure the vibrancy of our sport in the region."
