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2021 WSF Men’s World Team Squash Championship to Be Moved to Malaysia​


The 2021 WSF Men’s World Team Squash Championship – originally scheduled to take place in Tauranga, New Zealand in December – will now be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia between December 7-11 to safeguard against the strict travel restrictions in New Zealand due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Under directives from the New Zealand government, entry to passengers from all countries is currently strictly controlled to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

As one of its flagship events, the WSF Board – in partnership with the Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) – has made the decision to move the championships to Malaysia to secure the event on this year’s calendar.

The new venue for the Men’s World Team Championship will be the National Squash Centre in Bukit Jalil. It marks the first time since 2007 – in Chennai, India – that the Men’s World Team Championship will take place in Asia. Egypt are currently the defending champions after beating England in the final of the 2019 championships held in Washington, D.C.

Malaysia, meanwhile, has hosted the Men’s World Team Championship before, in Petaling Jaya in 1997.

“As entry to New Zealand looked increasingly unlikely by December, it became evident to WSF and Squash New Zealand that we needed a contingency plan. We are grateful to those nations who came forward to offer their help, and particularly grateful to Malaysia for agreeing to pick this up at such short notice.” said WSF President, Zena Wooldridge.

“We are naturally disappointed that we won’t be returning to New Zealand in December, and I’d like to thank Squash New Zealand for their support and for the work they put in prior to this decision being made.

“The Squash Rackets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) has considerable pedigree in organising major squash events, so we are fortunate to have such a capable and willing alternative host, and we look forward to working with them closely to deliver a top-class tournament to close out the year.”

WSF Championships Commission Chair Tony Choi said: “Malaysia missed out on hosting the 2020 Women’s World Team Championship due to the COVID-19 pandemic, so we are pleased that SRAM have stepped up to host this year’s men’s championships.

“The World Team Championships are the most prestigious team events in squash, and I’m sure that this year’s championships will be a complete success. My thanks go out to Squash New Zealand and we hope to work with them again in the future once the global situation surrounding the pandemic becomes clearer.”

SRAM President Gerard Monteiro said: “On behalf of the management committee of SRAM, I express my heartfelt gratitude to President Zena Wooldridge and the WSF for acknowledging our capabilities by awarding us the prestigious Men’s World Team Championship in 2021. We welcome teams from across the world to gather in Kuala Lumpur for a memorable squash gala complete with the legendary Malaysian hospitality.

“As a squash enthusiast and fanatic, I believe that there is no better sporting entertainment than watching professional squash players in competition. The Men’s World Team Championship fulfils all requirements, and I take this opportunity to thank our Ministry of Youth and Sports for their support.”

Chair of the Organising Committee Wayne Werder said: “We have a fantastic team who have spent many hours behind the scenes, so it is immensely disappointing to not be able to host the event in December. However, the decision was made with the players in mind, and it is the right decision. It is great that Malaysia have been able to pick up the event.”

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29 November 2021. The World Squash Federation (WSF) and the Squash Rackets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) regret to announce that the 2021 WSF Men’s World Team Squash Championship – which was scheduled to take place in Kuala Lumpur between December 7-12 – has been cancelled.

The WSF 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 authorisations by the National Authorities has led SRAM to inform the WSF of the decision to cancel.

In addition, the WSF and SRAM both have concerns surrounding the new COVID-19 variant – Omicron – which has been reported in multiple countries around the world and could have a big impact on the ability of certain teams to travel to Malaysia for the event.

“We’re extremely disappointed to announce that this year’s WSF Men’s World Team Squash Championship has been cancelled. Together with SRAM, we have worked very hard to put the event on against the backdrop of the global COVID-19 pandemic, which had already caused us to move the event from Tauranga in New Zealand,” said WSF President Zena Wooldridge.

“I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Council of Malaysia for their unwavering efforts to influence the highest authorities of Malaysia to ensure the ability of all participating teams including Israel to enter Malaysia and compete, without any political discrimination, in accordance with the principles and rules of the Olympic Charter. It is important to WSF that no nation who wishes to compete misses out on the event.

“I’d like to thank SRAM and its President Gerard Monteiro for the hard work they had put into planning the event prior to this decision. Our focus now turns towards 2022 and we will work closely with our Member Nation Federations as we look to put a robust calendar of events in place next year.”