The World Squash Federation, WSF, announced the results of the Presidential and Vice Presidential elections, which took place during the 54th WSF Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Hong Kong, China on December 14, 2024. Incumbent President Zena Wooldridge (ENG), who stood unopposed, has been reelected for a second term.
American Mark Pagon Elected WSF VP
Two Vice Presidents were elected to fill the seats of outgoing members of the Executive Board, The WSF Karim Darwish (EGY) and Pablo Serna (COL). David Mui (HKG) and Marshall (“Mark”) Pagon (USA) were elected to their first four-year term as Vice Presidents and will join Susan Devoy (NZL) and Debendranath Sarangi (IND).
As the sport gears up to support its Olympic debut in Los Angeles, the continuation of the close collaboration among WSF, US Squash and the PSA Squash Tour remains essential. Pagon served on the US Squash Board for nine years, and as US Squash’s 46th Chairman of the Board from 2016 – 2020, his term culminated in the completion of the twenty-court Arlen Specter US Squash Center in Philadelphia, PA. Pagon currently serves as the first Chair of the newly established U.S. Squash Foundation.
The WSF is the main and only official point of contact with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and the LA28 Organizing Committee. The WSF will partner closely with US Squash and the PSA Tour in supporting the execution of squash at the LA28 Games, signing a joint agreement with the LA Organizing Committee.
After his election Pagon reiterated that he looks forward to helping make the most of the opportunities that LA28 inclusion presents and activating the squash network in the U.S. to advance the sport. Previously Pagon had noted, “I have spent a lifetime in squash, as a participant, in governance, and I have seen nearly every aspect. It’s a passion point for me. The Specter Center was an extraordinary project. I also believe the Olympics opportunity eclipses it in its potential to advance the sport even further, globally.”
Edwards Remains Central to Olympic Collaboration
Ned Edwards attended the WSF Conference prior to the AGM and participated on a panel with World Squash and PSA Squash Tour leaders to share information related to squash’s presence at LA28. The topics ranged from new developments in broadcast to the selection process for athletes to the venue itself. Currently serving in the role of Executive Director of the new U.S. Squash Foundation, having previously led the effort to create the Specter Center, Edwards played a key role in fostering the collaboration that helped lead to squash’s inclusion in the Olympic Games. The work continues post-inclusion as multiple key parties must be coordinated to successfully execute in less than four years.
Edwards reflected on the conference noting, “It’s heartening to experience the close working relationship among the leading governing bodies as well as the palpable enthusiasm and support from all federations. We were together just a few weeks ago in LA to meet with the organizing committee too. Maintaining this regular contact and communication, and being very focused on our strategies and hitting our timelines is critical. It will take all of us, and I appreciate the level of trust that’s been established at the highest level over these last few years. It will serve the sport well, in fact, it’s essential.”
