Dubai: Squash will have to wait for another eight years to find out if it will become an Olympic sport but, given the fact that the sport has never looked in better shape, it may well be worth the wait.

The Professional Squash Association (PSA), the sport’s governing body, remained determined not to throw in the towel despite several failed attempts to convince the International Olympic Committee (IOC) that squash is the perfect fit as it enjoys a new renaissance.

Earlier this week the PSA signed an advantageous three-year contract with Dubai to stage the World Series Finals, the first of which is currently being played in a purpose-built arena at the front of the Burj Khalifa, with the next two editions set to be staged in the nearby, state-of-the-art Dubai Opera, a 2000-seat multi-format venue in Downtown Dubai.

The season-ending tournament has attracted the world’s top 16 players from across eight countries, including the top ranked Egyptian duo of Mohammad Al Shorbagy and Nour Al Sherbini. It’s total prize pot of $320,000 (Dh1.1 million) is the most lucrative in the sport’s history.

Of great significance, the PSA is driven by a passionate Saudi national, Ziad Al Turki, who is convinced that partnerships like the one with Dubai will help further raise the sport’s profile and create more awareness among senior sports officials, players and fans.

“By hosting the PSA Dubai World Series Finals in Dubai Opera, thousands of fans around the world will be treated to high-quality squash in a simply breathtaking setting, while our players will feel privileged to play in such an iconic arena,” said PSA Chairman Ziad Al Turki.

“The quality of play on court, coupled with the atmosphere within the venue, will make for a spectacular occasion and we are excited to be a part of the city’s impressive sporting story.”

Al Turki is so supportive of the sport that he has funded the PSA’s television coverage having built strong partnerships with BT Sport, Eurosport and beIN Sport.

Why?

“Nothing has the power, with perhaps the exception of social medial, to take the sport into the living rooms of sports lovers around the world,” says Al Turki. “Squash is one of the most viewed sports on YouTube and with the sustained coverage from leading networks like BT Sport, Eurosport and beIN Sport we believe that it will grow in popularity.”

Squash was one of eight sports being considered for the 2020 Games in Japan but it failed to make it to the final list in an event that has a 28-sport cap.

At the age of 20, Al Sherbini might be one of the few players who could still be around in eight years time, playing for a gold medal, should squash eventually qualify for the Olympic Games.

“It would be a dream to be playing in the Olympic Games, it’s the dream of every sportsman,” she says. “I’m not sure what will happen in eight year’s time, and if I will still be playing the game, but it’s a nice thought. Squash deserves it’s place in the Games. “ England’s Nick Matthews, one of the most senior players on the tour, said he was heart-broken when squash did not make it to the 2012 Olympics hosted in Britain.

“It has been every player’s ambition to compete for an Olympic medal and what better a medal to compete for than one in your own country,” said Matthews. “Sadly that did not happen. But hopefully in the future the next generation of players will have the chance to showcase their skills on the Olympic stage.

“That would be the final frontier for a game that deserves more attention and respect that its getting.”