Using the most modern software and hardware, the game is a realistic representation of the sport with great tactical aspects—and all shots can be played, including drives, corkscrews, boasts and more. Players can also play online matches against each other, or play at iconic locations—and an offline tournament mode allows users the chance to organise virtual tournaments during real events.

It is easy to connect wireless controllers to the game and link to a big screen, so that squash clubs can host a virtual event. Details of this are available from the game’s dedicated website www.wsfsquash.com – where a trailer, screenshots, and more, can also be seen.

There are 12 real top squash players in the game. Users can choose between four different top tournaments at iconic locations—either selecting their favourite player or creating their own player, choosing equipment, skin colour, hair colour, posture, playing style, etc.

Following four years of development, WSF Squash will be launched at the beginning of November.

“For me, Squash is a much faster, aggressive, raw and also responsive game than, for example, tennis,” said Team6 Games CEO Ronnie Nelis. “For WSF Squash, gamers will not only need to have much faster reflexes than for any other sports game, but they will also even have to think about their strategy during the game. All this made a very good reason for us to make a game that nobody dared to make before.”

WSF President Mr N Ramachandran commented: “Our hope, of course, is that in endorsing this game we will see a significant number of newcomers to squash trying it—who may then feel that they would like to try the real thing on court, and boost grass-roots numbers as a result.”

The game can be pre-ordered with 35% discount as an introduction offer only till the 31st of October for 1st November distribution.

There are further plans to develop the game for Nintendo Wii and xBox.

Mr Ramachandran received the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar award from India’s President Pratibha Patil.

Elected as WSF President in 2008, Ramachandran established the Indian Squash Academy in his home city of Chennai more than ten years ago.  The ISA has not only nurtured a number of top international players – including Saurav Ghosal, who last year became the country’s highest world-ranked player ever – but has also hosted a number of leading international events.

“The conferment of the Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar is the highest award that the government can bestow,” said the WSF President after being honoured in Delhi.  “It is a tribute to the dedication and hard work of the coaches and trainees of the Indian Squash Academy.”

“Players, coaches and referees from all over India have benefited from the programmes of the Indian Squash Academy and this award will only rededicate the academy to further propagate the growth of squash in India.  Over many years, the Indian Squash Academy has also hosted all major WSF world championships.”

“This unparalleled government recognition augurs well not only for Indian squash but also for WSF and our dream of becoming an Olympic sport.”

The Under-19 age groups of countries’ National Junior Opens, along with the regional championships that take place on the continents of the world – with the World Junior Championship titles at the pinnacle – will form the WSF World Junior Circuit.

Results from these events will be used to compute quarterly WSF World Junior Rankings for young men and women at Under-19 age level.

Announcing the initiative, WSF President N Ramachandran pointed out: “Our member nations and regions go to great lengths to foster the development of young talent and we can now recognise their efforts at world level by linking together the calendar and providing world rankings.

“We already know that this principle has been well received within the sport and we look forward to seeing our talented youngsters from across the world benefitting from it.”

WSF Chief Executive Andrew Shelley added: “Details on how the circuit and rankings work have been sent to the nations. Events, including July’s World Junior Individual Championships, will come on stream from June onwards, in advance of the first WSF Junior Ranking Lists appearing in October.

The WSF will not be setting regulations for the events, but once the rankings are up and running they will certainly provide a strong guide for seedings, and for the world rankings that players can use to measure their progress.”

Full details of the circuit and rankings system can be found at www.worldsquash.org

Member nations of the World Squash Federation have re-elected N Ramachandran as President for a second term at the WSF AGM in Chennai, India.

Mr Ramachandran, who first became the Federation’s first Indian President in 2008, won the AGM’s vote unopposed after the withdrawal of challenger Natalie Grainger (USA) earlier in the week.

The 40th WSF AGM, with 45 member nations in attendance, was held after two Conference days during which presentations and discussions on the central focus of the WSF Strategic plan took place. This involved the presentation and branding of the sport; the Olympic ideal; rules and development; as well as many general facets.

All topics were framed to help take the sport forward and encourage growth of participation together with a higher media profile.

The elections were held after the completion of general business – including bringing officer terms in line with the IOC; receiving reports from the nations; approving budgets and forward plans; etc.

Voting for the Vice President positions saw Heather Deayton (Hong Kong) re-elected for her third two year period, along with Chris Stahl (England) for his second spell. However, Gerard DeCourcy (New Zealand), Vice President for the last two years was beaten by Mohamed El Menshawy (Egypt), who was re-elected after previously serving in the WSF role.

“After two years in which I have prioritised our Olympic bid along with stabilising the WSF finances, I am honoured that the membership has seen fit to wish me to continue to build from this platform with our new management group,” said President Ramachandran.

“It is always disappointing to lose a valued team member as we have with Gerard DeCourcy, to whom I want to pay great tribute for everything he has done – but it is also very pleasing to welcome ‘Mensh’, who will add a new dimension.”

El Menshawy, the Managing Director of a Cairo Sports Marketing & Innovation company, expressed his pleasure: “I am very delighted to be back with the team and look forward to working hard to add value to the WSF.”