In a major shake up of the board of the Professional Squash Association, former world number one and event promoter Peter Nicol, MBE, and businessman Ziad Al-Turki, have been elected directors of the players' organisation which boasts a flourishing men's world tour valued this year at more than $3 million.
Al-Turki has been appointed Chairman of the new board. The UK-based Saudi, Vice-Chairman of the ATCO Group, is the driving force behind the Saudi International. Launched four years ago, the event will offer a record $250,000 prize fund this December. Last month, Al-Turki announced that the ATCO Group will sponsor the PSA's flagship Super Series Finals Championship, which will be staged for the first time at The Queen's Club in London next year.
With Nicol and Al-Turki on the PSA board are Robert Graham, the US-based Treasurer; former player Mark Chaloner, who has stood down as Chairman; British lawyer Richard Bramall; and players Lee Beachill, who assumes the position of President, and Frenchman Renan Lavigne, who becomes Vice President.
Tony Hands and Martin Macdonnell, who retired from the board, have been appointed Honorary Life Members of the PSA.
"The appointment means a lot to me," said Al-Turki. "It also means a lot to Saudi Arabia - going from a country not known in Squash, to having a Saudi head the PSA in four years is an accomplishment of its own.
"I have been working for some time at ways to raise the profile of squash, from meeting with potential sponsors to media and marketing companies - and this appointment will validate my position with them. It shows that the efforts I have put are appreciated by all!
"But there’s a lot of work ahead, and with the PSA Executives, the Board and of course the players, I feel that we can reach our goals. All of us have the same objectives and I feel that everyone feels positive about the direction the PSA is heading towards," Al-Turki added.
Richard Graham, the recently-appointed PSA CEO, added his enthusiasm for the new board line-up: "There is an important array of skills and experiences which are now reflected in the new board - led by the new Chairman's proven international business expertise and the event promotion experience introduced by Peter Nicol.
"While there is continuity within the board, there is also a sense of change with the new appointments," Graham added. "The board provides valuable support to the efforts of myself and my colleague Alex Gough, the Chief Operating Officer.
"Our objective going forward include the re-launch of the top events on the PSA Tour in 2010, including planning dates and the sequence of events a year in advance to enhance broadcasting and sponsorship opportunities; the renegotiation of PSA's international TV and other commercial rights; and the elevation of the profile of Squash and, in particular, our players."
