The visit to the offices of the 2009 East Asian Games (Hong Kong) Limited - which took place on 28 February, during the World Squash Federation (WSF) Management Committee (ManCom) meeting in Hong Kong - was arranged to continue the strong collaborative approach between the WSF and the Organizing Committee in planning and organizing the squash competition at the 2009 East Asian Games.
The WSF delegates were accompanied by David Mui, Chairman Hong Kong Squash. Squash has been added to the 2009 East Asian Games program for the first time, with seven medals (men's and women's singles, doubles and teams; and mixed doubles) in contention.
'With squash in Asia continuing to make good progress, WSF ManCom knew that there was a great opportunity while in Hong Kong to meet with some of their leading sports officials,' explained WSF Vice President Heather Deayton, the former CEO of Hong Kong Squash. 'I approached Hong Kong Squash, who quickly took up our request by arranging a meeting with the Organizing Committee of the 2009 East Asian Games.
'There is tremendous benefit when you meet 'face to face', being able to acknowledge the excellent work achieved and agreeing to continue to support each other in future plans of squash,' added Deayton. 'Growing the sport in such countries like China all adds to our cause of squash becoming an Olympic Games sport in 2016. We certainly came away with a good feeling.'
Countries eligible to compete in the Games include the People's Republic of China, Guam, Hong Kong, Japan, North Korea, South Korea, Macau, Mongolia and Chinese Taipei.
Several sports of The World Games feature regularly in the East Asian Games. Billiards, bowling, BodyBuilding and karate will also be among the 23 sports staged in Hong Kong.
