Pakistan among three most active Squash 57-playing nations

KARACHI: Pakistan is one of the most active Squash 57-playing nations, according to a survey by World Squash Federation’s commission.

The latest report of WSF Executive Committee mentioned that Squash 57 Commission conducted a survey to have an understanding of where Squash 57 is being played.

“Having contacted many of the Squash 57 playing nations, asking for progress, we could say: The most active Nations are UK, Norway, and Pakistan (based on raw reported numbers),” stated the report. It is to be noted that Racketball became ‘Squash 57’ following its global rebranding initiative spearheaded by the World Squash Federation.

In 2016, WSF in partnership with England Squash signposted a change of name for the game, which is played with a larger ball and a shorter racket.

The new name focuses on the key difference to squash -– the larger ball, which has a maximum diameter of 57mm (compared with 40mm for a squash ball).

Meanwhile, WSF is using the results of the survey to evolve the Squash 57 Commission’s Forward Plan. Under the plan, the WSF would support manufacturers of Squash 57 balls that pass the new ball specifications.

The WSF also plans to develop an information pack for National Federations taking up Squash 57. Moreover, it will work with proactive nations such as Japan, Malaysia and the US along with the UK to help promote the growth of Squash 57. And the federation would develop a Level-1 coaching qualification for Squash 57.