Saudi Arabia to make debut in Chennai

In all 23 nations, including host India, are expected to take part in this biennial event. India will be hosting the junior men’s team championship for the second time, the last being in 2002 again in Chennai. 

In 2009 the country had also hosted the Women’s world junior team championship also in Chennai. The team event will follow the men’s and women’s world junior individual championship which will be held from July 18 to 23. At the last championship held at Bielsko-Biala in Poland, Pakistan had edged Egypt 2-1 to take the crown. India had finished sixth overall. 

Commenting on the first appearance of Saudi Arabia in the world championship, the Saudi Squash Federation President, Ziad Al-Turk siad, “The Saudi General Sports Authority under its new leadership has different goals than in previous years – it now concentrates on the mass participation, wanting to take participation in sports amongst Saudis from 17 per cent to 40 per cent by 2020. 

Concentrating on junior athletes and developing a strong grassroots foundation is key. Setting long term goals for achieving medals is what now allows us to send juniors across all Federations to participate in international junior tournaments world-wide,” he said. 

The nations taking part in the Chennai championship include, aside from host India, Argentina, Australia, Canada, Colombia, Egypt, England, Finland,France, Germany, Hong Kong China, Ireland, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, USA and Zimbabwe. 

DHFL Maharashtra United: N Ravichandran & Francisco  Santos (Portugal).