World Squash Federation chief executive Andrew Shelley has lauded the success of the recently-concluded CGG Women’s World Team Championships in China ©WSF

World Squash Federation (WSF) chief executive Andrew Shelley has lauded the success of the recently-concluded CGG Women’s World Team Championships in China, claiming they show that the host country is leading the way in the sport.

The event in Dalian, a modern port city on the Liaodong Peninsula, was the first World Squash Championship to be held on mainland China.

Egypt, with a powerful squad boasting four world top six-ranked players, successfully defended their title.

They beat seven-time champions England on Sunday (September 16) to claim the crown for a fourth time in 10 years.

The 21st edition of the biennial event took place at the Xigang Gymnasium, which boasts two all-glass showcourts and four permanently-sited all-glass courts.

"These WSF Women's World Championships have shown that China is not just growing in squash, but actually leading the way," Shelley said.

"The first-ever World Championship played entirely on glass showcourts.

"The six CGG courts providing a memorable Dalian staging to complement the superb overall arrangements and hospitality the visiting players and officials experienced.

"Squash thrives in Asia. 

"Everybody leaves with anticipation for the 2020 staging in Kuala Lumpur - for whom the bar has certainly been set high."

The powerful squad from Egypt retained their Women’s World Team Championships in Dalian ©WSF
The powerful squad from Egypt retained their Women’s World Team Championships in Dalian ©WSF

It was in June 2016 that the Dalian Squash Association (DSA) first revealed its plan to bid for the Championship.

"We are very grateful for the trust the WSF and the whole community of squash gave us,” DSA chairman Lu Zhi Jun said.

"We also thank the Dalian Government and the Dalian Sports Bureau, plus the athletes, officials and all the volunteers who made it possible to stage this successful event.

"I hope squash will continue to develop in China and that we will all see each other again soon."

Championship director and event driving force Wang GuoGuang added: "I had a dream, I chased it and I achieved it.

"So I am very pleased with the outcome. 

"I now want to concentrate on developing juniors in our country so that in future years China can compete more successfully on the world stage."

Wang is also founder of Dalian GuoGuang Sports Facilities Engineering Co Ltd, the company which produced the Xigang Gymnasium glass courts and is the only Asian court manufacturer to be accredited by the WSF.

"Our hope is produce more glass courts in our country to help squash grow in China," he said.