Devoy turns down S.A. offer

Press, 24 April 1987, Page 64

Devoy turns down S.A. offer

NZPA staff correspondent London The world squash champion, Susan Devoy, asked for and was offered SUSIO,OOO to play in South Africa, according to a South African promoter, Owen Emslie. But the New Zealander backed out of the deal for fear that playing in the republic would jeopardise Honda’s sponsorship of the women’s world championships in Auckland later this year, he told the “Guardian” newspaper.

Devoy left England for a holiday in Hawaii with her husband, John Oakley, after winning the British Open last week and could not be contacted.

But her coach, Bryce Taylor, speaking from the Oasis club in Buckinghamshire where Devoy is based during the northern season, said: “The ‘Guardian’ report Is half correct. Susan had an offer ' from South Africa but at the same time John (Oakley) was negotiating a fee they were also discussing the situation with 7 (the Squash Rackets Association in) New Zealand. “The bottom line from New Zealand was that it would not be to her advantage to go.” Mr Taylor added that although fees were discussed, Devoy never really considered defying international attempts to isolate South African sport