Date:28/01/2005 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2005/01/28/stories/2005012812851800.htm

Sport - Squash

Asia House to facilitate players to take part in European leagues

CHENNAI, JAN. 27. The Asian Squash Federation is contemplating on setting up an `Asia House' in Europe, preferably in London, to help facilitate players from Asia to participate in European leagues and PSA tournaments on a regular basis.

The cost sharing that a few leading countries have planned for this would make the venture a boon for the players from this continent to gain exposure in higher grade international competitions, according to N. Ramachandran, the re-elected ASF President. The ASF would also appoint a Coach to manage the programme in Europe for the Asian players but first Maj S. Maniam, the ASF's new Coaching Committee chairman, had been asked to prepare a white paper to be placed at the Federation's next AGM, he said.

Another matter discussed at the AGM of the ASF here on Thursday was with regard to having the Asian championship in two tiers. It was decided that there could be one tier for top players in region and the other for developing countries.

The ASF decided on the following programme for the next four years:

Asian Senior championship in 2006 in Chinese Taipei, Asian junior individual championship 2006 in Nepal, Asian junior championship 2007 in Hong Kong, Asian senior championship 2008 in Kuwait, Asian individual championship 2008 in Korea and Asian junior championship 2009 in India.

Following will be chairman of various ASF Committees: Championship: Air Marshal Rashid Kalim (Pakistan). Medical: Won-Kwna Kim (Korea). Coaching: Maj S. Maniam (Ind). Referees: Munir Shah (Singapore). Major Games: N. Ramachandran (Ind). Development: Yousef H. Mohsen (Kuwait). Finance: David Mui (Hong Kong). Seeding: Srivatsan Subramaniam (Ind).

Ramachandran re-elected

N. Ramachandran was unanimously re-elected President of the ASF for another term of four years at the Federation's AGM.

Other office bearers: Vice Presidents: David Mui (Hong Kong),Yousef H. Mohsen (Kuwait), Won-Kwan Kim (Korea). Secretary-General: Srivatsan Subramaniam. Treasurer: Muneer Sait. In all 17 countries were represented at the meeting. — Our Special Correspondent