By ALAN THATCHER – Squash Mad Correspondent

The World Squash Federation has awarded the WSF Men’s World Junior Team and Individuals Championships to Russia for the first time, with the 2022 competitions set to take place in St. Petersburg next summer.

The event will feature both a men’s and women’s individual event, as well as the WSF Men’s World Team Junior Championships, with action taking place at the RC Club and Squash Center Liga.

The dates for the 2022 WSF Men’s World Junior Team and Individuals Championships will be revealed later this year.

WSF President Zena Wooldridge said: “The WSF Men’s World Junior Team & Individuals Championships titles are the most coveted prizes in junior squash. This is not only an exciting and historic occasion of our first world championship in Russia but will also be a fabulous experience for the world’s junior players to visit St. Petersburg.

“Russia is one of our rapidly developing squash nations and the Russian Squash Federation have done a tremendous job in building new clubs and attracting new players to the sport. This next chapter of the WSF Men’s World Junior Team & Individuals Championships promises to be exciting, and I wish everyone competing the best of luck.”

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The RC Club in St Petersburg

WSF Junior Commission Chair Jackie Robinson said: “We’re incredibly excited to bring these Championships to Russia for the first time, and we look forward to working with the Russian Squash Federation over the next year to ensure a successful tournament.

“A number of previous World Junior champions have gone on to become world No.1s and world champions in the professional game. The experience these players gain by competing at the WSF World Junior Squash Championships is invaluable, and I’m sure it will be a tournament to remember.”

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Above: the Squash Center Liga in St Petersburg

Russian Squash Federation President Dmitry Bronnikov said: “We are delighted and honoured to host the 2022 World Junior Championships in Russia and would like to thank the WSF Board for this opportunity.

“Compared to most of the other host candidates, squash is just starting to develop in Russia, but we already have broad experience hosting professional events, including a World Squash Championship qualifying event in 2019.

“St. Petersburg is a great location with a number of accredited courts in perfect condition and a rapidly growing squash audience. The city is also the cultural capital of Russia and one of the world’s top tourist destinations, which the juniors will definitely enjoy.

“We believe that such a major squash event in Russia will not only boost development of our sport but will also help to demonstrate the global presence of squash.”

Pictures courtesy of RC Club, Squash Center Liga and Anton Odintsov