LAHORE, Dec 20: Squash will get a boost once it is included in the Olympics, but the game is already breaking new ground in many parts of the world, an official said on Saturday.

“The World Squash Federation is endeavoring to have squash included in the Olympics and if this is achieved, which all players dream, squash will go higher,” Gawain Briars, executive director of London-based Professional Squash Association, said.

“I disagree with people saying squash is losing popularity internationally, it may have a bad year or two but in 2004 there are new tournaments coming up and squash is breaking new ground in Bermuda, Kuwait and USA.”

Briars, a British national who was among the top five players in 1980s, is in the eastern Pakistani city of Lahore to witness the 25th world open, an annual PSA event which could not be held due to lack of sponsors in 2000 and 2001.

“Obviously (September 11) did affect all the sports, including squash.... All sports depend on economy and now after tough times we have assurances from Hong Kong and India to stage international events but the loss of events never meant squash lost its popularity,” said Briars, adding that professional squash is now more hectic and unpredictable with a variety in talent.

Egyptians Karim Darwish faces countryman Amr Shabana while Frenchman Thierry Lincou meets Australian Joseph Kneipp in the semi-finals played later Saturday.

Top three seeds — Peter Nicol of England, John White of Scotland and defending champion David Palmer of Australia — were ousted in an upset-packed first three rounds.

Briars said the squash world is waiting for Pakistani players to regain country’s lost glory.

“It is disappointing ... that Pakistani players lag behind but we all are waiting for Pakistani youngsters to emulate legends like Jahangir Khan, Jansher Khan and Hashim Khan,” he said.

Pakistan, once a dominant force in the sport with Jahangir and Jansher sharing 16 British open and 14 world titles between them in 1980s and 1990s, now has no player in the top 10 of the world rankings.

Only two Pakistani players, Mansoor Zaman and Arshad Iqbal Burki, progressed to the second round before losing.—AFP