Squash in Palestine started in Mandate
Palestine by the British officials in the beginning of 1940's. In
February 1940, Palestine Post published this news about squash. "Following
the recent completion of two excellently constructed squash courts at the
Jerusalem Sports Club the Committee have decided to hold the first club
tournament, to commence today, February 5. A good entry of competitors has been
received amongst whom are included one who has captained Oxford University and
played for the Army, and another who has represented Hampshire and played for
the R.A.F. It is anticipated that a number of keen games will be the result of
the second draw and competitors are requested to arrange matches so that the
various rounds can be played off in accordance with the posted dates. A
subsidiary tournament is being run for competitors eliminated in the first two
rounds. It is hoped to play the finals of both tournaments on a day be fixed at
the end of February."[1]
In 1968, a decision was made by the PLO to form the
Palestine Supreme Council for Youth Care.
In 1969, few branch committees were established in Lebanon, Jordan, Syria,
Iraq, Egypt, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates. After 1970, the headquarters of this
committee was moved from Amman to Lebanon.
A new supreme council was formed from qualified Palestinian athletic
leaders in Lebanon. New clubs were
founded in Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq. Athletic and scouts activities started to
rise. At its first conference at Suq al-Gharb in Beirut in
1974, the Supreme Council made a decision to change the name to Supreme Council of Youth
and Sports. In 1970's and 1980's number of
federations were established. Squash was included in the Federation
of "Racket" Madrab which also include tennis, table tennis and
golf. Muhamed Abu Lughud headed this federation. [2]
In 1984 the Palestinian Squash Federation was established, its headquarters was
in Kuwait.[3]
In 2012 a group of young Palestinians formed an association
for squash. In 2013, Palestine Squash Federation was established. Currently,
Amer A'seili is its President. Since
its establishment, it organized local competitions and training courses for
coaches and referees. In the city of Hebron, it established the first in
Palestine squash school for 80 children age 8-12. This federation is spending big efforts
to spread squash in all the
regions in Palestine.
In February 2013, PSF took part in
the sixteenth Asian tournament in Seoul with other 14 countries. In August 2015, Palestine took part in the Pan
Arab Tournament under-17, and under-13.
Notes:
[1] Palestine Post, 5 February 1940.
[2] Khalid Ijjawi, al-Haraka al-Riyadiyya
al-Falastiniyya fil Shatat, Palestine Sports Movement in the Diaspora,
(Damascus: al-Dar Wataniyya al-Jadida, 2001) 485.
[3] Facebook, al-Ittihad al-Falastini lil-Iskuash,
Palestine Squash Federation. 4 March 2013.
https://www.facebook.com/search/top/?q=%D8%A7%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%AA%D8%AD%D8%A7%D8%AF%20%D8%A7%D9%84%D9%81%D9%84%D8%B3%D8%B7%D9%8A%D9%86%D9%8A%20%D9%84%D9%84%D8%A7%D8%B3%D9%83%D9%88%D8%A7%D8%B4
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