Players vote to count S.A. squash points

Press, 21 April 1986, Page 26

Players vote to count S.A. squash points

NZPA staff correspondent London

Professional squash players have overturned a decision taken last December and ruled that tournaments in South Africa should carry world ranking points.

The decision was taken at the annual meeting of the International Squash Players Association last week.

It reportedly followed heavy lobbying by the republic’s leading tournament promoter, Owen Emslie, assisted by a former South African cricketer, Eddie Barlow, who heads the South African Sports Office in London. Mr Emslie attended the association’s meeting as an associate member.

Stuart Davenport of New Zealand, who was elected as association president, at the meeting, said yesterday: ”Our position is simply that as a body of professionals, we are determined to remain independent of political pressures.

”By taking this decision we are in no way saying we support apartheid or support South Africa. We are just respecting an individual’s right to go to South Africa to play as an individual.” He would not comment further. The association’s public relations officer, Michael Palmer, said members were warned at the meeting that by going to South Africa they faced having their names added to the Uniftjl Nations "blacklist”

and that this could affect their participate in some tournaments, f .

It was stated als that the decision could discourage potentialsponsors at a time whh the sport was trying t>‘ expand. Mr Palmer said te decision did not mea s !the association would atively encourage membefe. ,i to play in South Afri&iAs South Africa was a hember of the Intemaional Squash Rackets Feleration ’’there is a case that it should be able to pit its tournaments forwart for grading.” One association lember said he doubter, the new position would Ist. ’’Many squash plyers live in a very cosed world and do not appreciate what goes on ouide. I think this South Afcan business will upset Sionsors and when the pliers see that, they will revrse the decision,” he sai<

The meeting decidi to take tougher a(ion against players whojfor whatever reason, Withdrew from tournaments after the closing datefor entries. All such players wtild be deemed to hve entered and to havebst in the first round, wlch means their points abrage, and consequetiy their world rankhg, would be reduced. Tournament organiirs have become increasiily annoyed by late whdrawals. Matters reacted a head at the Europhn Open in West Germiy this year when 16 plaj rs pulled out. j Ft