“We have listened and learnt’

“We have listened and learned.”

Narayana Ramachandran, President of the World Squash Federation, is confident that the sport has adapted to become a modern-day game, fit for the 2020 Olympics.

Having failed in previous attempts to push squash into the Olympic program, the sport has changed and eradicated any problems that existed. Narayana Ramachandran said: “We have had extensive discussions with the International Olympic Committee and we have listened and learnt. They have told us what our defects were and we have tried to rectify those defects. It is up to the members of the OPC and the Executive Board to make the final call. We can only do our best and that is what I am trying to do.”

Until squash is recognised as an Olympic sport, Mr Ramachandran acknowledges that all other necessities, such as V1 technology, need to be put on the back burner.

He concluded: “Everything comes back to the same old thing; how much money you have to put into the pot to develop the sport. For us now, the most important thing we are looking at, whatever resources the WSF [World Squash Federation] has, are going into developing the sport and the Olympic bid. Having got started, we cannot stop. It is like riding a tiger; you are on the tiger and now you want to get in!”

Narayana Ramachandran spoke exclusively with iSportconnect Editor Edward Rangsi about the World Squash Federation’s attempt to get the sport into the 2020 Olympic Games, as well as a plethora of other topics.

— iSportConnect