WSF Re-Elects President Ramachandran At AGM
23 Oct 2010
Member nations of the World Squash Federation have re-elected N Ramachandran as President for a second term at the WSF AGM in Chennai, India.
Mr Ramachandran, who first became the Federation's first Indian President in 2008, won the AGM's vote unopposed after the withdrawal of challenger Natalie Grainger (USA) earlier in the week.
The 40th WSF AGM, with 45 member nations in attendance, was held after two Conference days during which presentations and discussions on the central focus of the WSF Strategic plan took place. This involved the presentation and branding of the sport; the Olympic ideal; rules and development; as well as many general facets.
All topics were framed to help take the sport forward and encourage growth of participation together with a higher media profile.
The elections were held after the completion of general business - including bringing officer terms in line with the IOC; receiving reports from the nations; approving budgets and forward plans; etc.
Voting for the Vice President positions saw Heather Deayton (Hong Kong) re-elected for her third two year period, along with Chris Stahl (England) for his second spell. However, Gerard DeCourcy (New Zealand), Vice President for the last two years was beaten by Mohamed El Menshawy (Egypt), who was re-elected after previously serving in the WSF role.
"After two years in which I have prioritised our Olympic bid along with stabilising the WSF finances, I am honoured that the membership has seen fit to wish me to continue to build from this platform with our new management group," said President Ramachandran.
"It is always disappointing to lose a valued team member as we have with Gerard DeCourcy, to whom I want to pay great tribute for everything he has done - but it is also very pleasing to welcome 'Mensh', who will add a new dimension."
El Menshawy, the Managing Director of a Cairo Sports Marketing & Innovation company, expressed his pleasure: "I am very delighted to be back with the team and look forward to working hard to add value to the WSF."