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competitors take part in the professional squash tournament

Squash Championship Canceled after Malaysia Bans Israeli Team

The Men’s World Team Squash Championship was canceled on Monday, November 29, after the host country Malaysia would not permit the Israeli team to play.

“The WSF [World Squash Federation] believes in an open and inclusive Men’s World Team Squash Championships, and the possibility that some nations would be unable to compete due to the lack of confirmation over the issuing of visas and travel authorizations by the National Authorities has led SRAM [Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia] to inform the WSF of the decision to cancel,” the WSF said in a statement.

In addition, the WSF and SRAM were concerned about the Omicron variant of Corona. Set for December 7, the championship had previously been moved from New Zealand due to pandemic-related restrictions.

The Israel Squash Association thanked the WSF leadership for its decision.

“As lovers of sports in general and squash in particular, we know how difficult it is to cancel a tournament,” ISA chairman Aviv Bushinsky said. “When all parties realized Malaysians are banning Israelis from playing, I was grateful to read the president’s letter affirming a commitment to our participation.”

Bushinsky offered for Israel to host WSF events, including teams from countries with which Israel does not have diplomatic relations.

“There is nothing more frustrating for a professional athlete than to be told that he [or] she cannot compete after years of training and preparation, yet I believe that this incident will prevent any similar discrimination in the future,” Bushinsky wrote.

The championship’s cancellation came several days after the ISA sued the World Squash Federation and the Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia at the Court of Arbitration for Sport after Israelis were banned from competing in next week’s now-canceled world championship in Kuala Lumpur. (JPost / VFI News)

“Lord, thank you for the countries supporting Israel's squash team being allowed to play.”