Members of the Professional Squash Association will not be able to compete in any other tour events. —File Photo

KARACHI The governing body of men's professional squash circuit Professional Squash Association (PSA), on Friday, said its members will no longer be permitted to compete in any tour event that is not recognized by the PSA World Tour.

The decision comes following the launch of the US-based Pro Squash Tour.

“Following consultations with stakeholders, primarily in the US, it was felt that the Pro Squash Tour was having an increasingly detrimental effect on the PSA World Tour's presence in North America, leading to confusion for potential promoters and sponsors,” a PSA release said.

“The Pro Squash Tour started life this time last year as a series of exhibition events which we felt could exist alongside the professional men's world tour,” PSA Chairman Ziad Al-Turki said.

“However, following a change of direction from the PST, it has introduced a ranking system and re-branded as a 'Pro Tour'. With these recent developments, it is felt that the PSA needs to protect its own membership and world ranking events in North America” he added.

The PSA is set to report a record tournament prize-fund in excess of 3.4 million dollars for the year 2010. —PPI