Squash Confirmed As Commonwealth Games 'Core Sport'
The decision came following a detailed report from the Federation's Sports Committee pertaining to the Sports programme of the Games. It was agreed that Squash would be one of ten sports which "shall be obligatory" on the programme – including Athletics, Aquatics (Swimming), Badminton, Boxing, Hockey, Lawn Bowls, Netball (Women), Rugby Sevens (Men) and Weightlifting.
“The Commonwealth Games Sports Programme is proudly 'of and for the Commonwealth of Nations'," said Michael Hooper, Chief Executive of the Commonwealth Games Federation. "Squash’s addition to the list of core sports for future editions of the Commonwealth Games is reflective of this and the sport's overall depth and quality within the Commonwealth today.
"Since the sport's introduction to the Games programme in 1998, the level of participation and excellence continues to grow and at the recent Commonwealth Games in Melbourne we saw 29 participating nations. With the commitment to the sport's further development across the Commonwealth by World Squash, we expect to see this continue to rise – we welcome Squash as a core partner within the Commonwealth Games movement.”
Jahangir Khan, the record ten-times British Open champion who is President of the World Squash Federation (WSF), added: "WSF is delighted to be named a Core Sport for future editions of the Commonwealth Games and I would like to thank President Michael Fennell and the team at the CGF for acknowledging Squash's role toward the success of the Games.
"Squash and the Commonwealth Games form a natural partnership because the sport is played in virtually every Commonwealth country - and the level is truly world-class, as demonstrated in Melbourne.
"WSF looks forward to working with the CGF to ensure the success of Delhi 2010 and future editions," Khan concluded.