Jahangir Khan Re-Elected As WSF President

Jahangir Khan has been unanimously re-elected as President of the World Squash Federation at the International Federation's 34th Annual General Meeting in Casa Noyale, Mauritius.

The squash icon, who dominated the sport two decades ago when he won a record ten British Open titles and established an unbeaten record for more than five years, will serve a further two years as President after first being elected in 2002, following four years as a Vice President.

"It has been a tremendous last six years and it is a privilege to be able to work for the federation in this capacity - I thank you all," said Khan to the delegates after his election.

Fifty seven delegates representing member nations of the WSF attended the three-day Conference and AGM in Mauritius, held for the first time independently of a major World Championships.

Joyce Buckley (Ireland) and Sani Karim (Malaysia) were also re-elected as Vice Presidents of the Federation. The third position, made available following the retirement of New Zealand's Neven Barbour, was won by Mohamed El Menshawy from Egypt. On the announcement of his election, Menshawy revealed that he would immediately resign his position as President of the Egyptian Squash Association in order to devote his time to the WSF.

One of Jahangir Khan's first decisions on his re-election was the invitation to New Zealand's former President Susie Simcock to retain her position as the Federation's Emeritus President.

A special guest in Mauritius was Christian Leighton, the Chilean-born Venezuelan who will become Chief Executive of the WSF in January on the retirement of Ted Wallbutton.

The AGM was officially opened by Raviraj Yerrigadoo, the Minister of Sport for the Republic of Mauritius. "It is a privilege to welcome distinguished representatives of the WSF from all over the world to our island - the first ever such meeting of an international sports federation in Mauritius," said the Minister.

"My government will continue to give its full support for squash in our country - and wishes the sport all the luck in its bid to become an Olympic sport in 2012," he added.

In one of the most competitive series of World Championships' bids in recent times, Canada won the rights to stage the 2006 Women's World Team Championships in Edmonton; South Africa was elected to host the World Masters Championships in Cape Town in 2006; India secured the rights to the 2007 Men's World Team Championships; Hong Kong will stage the 2007 Women's World Junior Championships (on the tenth anniversary on Hong Kong becoming part of China); Switzerland won the vote to stage the 2008 Men's World Junior Championships; and New Zealand was given the rights to host the World Masters Championships in 2008.

Furthermore, Australia presented a bid to host the World Doubles Championships in 2005 in advance of the Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in 2006, and India put forward a bid to stage the 2009 Women's World Open in Delhi, the year before the Commonwealth Games will be held in that city.

A proposal by the WSF Management Committee to nominate Australia's Sarah Fitz-Gerald for inclusion in the Squash Hall of Fame was unanimously accepted by the delegates. Since becoming the World Junior Champion in 1987, Fitz-Gerald went on to win 63 titles on the WISPA World Tour, including a record five World Open crowns, as well as being an outstanding ambassador for the sport as President of WISPA for a decade. The award was collected on Fitz-Gerald's behalf by John Holland, President of Squash Australia.

A special WSF award for 'outstanding contribution to World Squash' was presented to Scotland's George Mieras by President Jahangir Khan. Mieras is Director of the WSF's Championships Committee and has represented Scotland on the WSF since 1980.

The AGM drew to a close with numerous tributes to departing CEO Ted Wallbutton, led by former WSF Vice President Bob Finch and Emeritus President Susie Simcock. In the 14 years since Wallbutton was appointed, the membership of the WSF has more than doubled and the organisation has been completely restructured.

"Ted has made an enormous contribution to world squash over the period, bringing significant management skills to the WSF. He will be sorely missed and we wish him well in his retirement," said Finch.