MacPhail is secretary general of the Pan American Squash Federation and replaces Hong Kong's Heather Deayton as one of three WSF vice-presidents.

Deayton stood down after serving a maximum of two four-year terms in the role.

MacPhail joins Belgian Hugo Hannes and Mohamed El-Menshawy of Egypt, both re-elected for a second term as vice-presidents.

N Ramachandran, two years into a second term as WSF President, welcomed the appointment of MacPhail and paid tribute to the outgoing Deayton.

"Heather Deayton has been a wonderful member of the WSF team and I am very sorry to lose her," said Ramachandran, who is also the President of the Indian Olympic Association.

"However, Linda MacPhail is a great addition, and it is a pleasure to welcome back Hugo and Mohamed.

"These are exciting times for squash and, having spent the last few days with delegates representing member nations from around the world, I know that they share our intention to provide leadership for the sport at all levels."

WSF President N Ramachandran thanked Heather Deayton for her eight years as vice-president ©WSF




The vice-presidential elections were the centrepiece of a two-day conference in Philadelphia running alongside the US Open, which saw Egypt's Mohamed Elshorbagy crowned men's singles champion and Nicol David of Malaysia win the women's title.

The gathering featured presentations from key people from outside squash to provide interesting insights from the world of sport and related organisations.

Squash is set to launch a fourth successive bid for Olympic Games inclusion at the 2024 Games after missing out on London 2012, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020. 

At the International Olympic Committee Session in Buenos Aires last year, members voted to retain wrestling for Tokyo 2020 ahead of baseball-softball and squash.

Squash narrowly missed out on London 2012 because they did not gain the necessary two-thirds majority at the IOC Session in Singapore in 2005 and then overlooked for Rio 2016 in favour of golf and rugby sevens at the 2009 Session in Copenhagen.

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