World Squash Federation: Jacques Fontaine became 9th president, replaces N Ramachandran

Hong Kong: Jacques Fontaine was today elected as the new president of the World Squash Federation (WSF) following the completion of the Indian N Ramachandran's second and final four-year term.

Fontaine becomes the Federation's ninth president since the WSF's inception in 1967 - the first Frenchman and third European - and was elected by delegates representing a record-breaking 59 National Federations attending the 46th WSF AGM here.

"My intention will be to work with a new governance model based on integrity, transparency and team spirit," said Fontaine after his victory.

"The WSF needs to establish a defined agreement with the professional section of our discipline, the PSA.

"The Olympic agenda remains a priority, along with increasing the profile of our sport worldwide and supporting grassroots development," added the new President.

Also elected at the meeting were four new vice presidents: Pablo Serna, president of the Colombian Federation; Sarah Fitz-Gerald, the five-time World Champion and current World Over-45 Champion from Australia; Gar Holohan, president of the Irish Federation; and Huang Ying How, president of the Malaysian Federation.

Outgoing president Ramachandran failed to secure a place for squash on the Olympic Games 2020 Programme - a bid which was ultimately unsuccessful.

"I want to say what an honour I feel in my heart to have had the opportunity to serve our Member Nations and the sport for the last eight years as your president," said Ramachandran, from Chennai, who became WSF president in 2008, having previously been president of the Asian Regional Federation.

The meeting also unanimously approved the application of Tahiti as the newest WSF member.

The incoming Board was delighted that squash legend Jahangir Khan agreed to serve a further term as emeritus president of the WSF.