Thomas Bach hope for Nicol David`s Olympic squash bid

Incheon: Malaysia`s world number one Nicol David said she still held out hope of getting squash into the Olympics as she kicked off her Asian Games title defence on Sunday.

David, whose campaign for inclusion failed to convince the International Olympic Committee (IOC), said she hoped for a different approach under new IOC president Thomas Bach.

Squash failed in a bid to get into the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. But David said "this year there is still a bit of chance that the IOC might consider changes with the new Olympic president."

"So hopefully at the end of this year we will find out whether there is change."

The IOC executive board is to meet to decide whether to change the Olympic format for Tokyo.

David added: "This year it is purely according to what the IOC is going to decide internally. So I`m just going to play, compete and do my best to showcase the sport."

David, who had a bye in the first round, beat Japan`s Misaki Kobayashi 11-7, 11-5, 11-7 at Yeorumul Squash Courts to reach the semi-finals.

The seven-time world champion is the hot favourite in Incheon as she bids for a fourth Asiad title to add to her gold medals in 1998, 2006 and 2010.

"Asian Games definitely is going to be something good for the IOC to watch," she said.