Emerging squash economy: Lessons for the Ghana Squash Association
Squash will feature prominently at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Squash is one of the fastest-growing sports, played in over 185 countries.
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The World Squash Federation reports 50,000 Squash courts and 150 National Squash Federations.
History
Squash, sometimes called squash rackets, is a racket-and-ball sport played by two or four players in a four-walled court with a small, hollow, rubber ball.
The players alternate in striking the ball with their rackets onto the playable surfaces of the four walls of the court.
The objective of the game is to hit the ball in such a way that the opponent is not able to play a valid return. There are about 20 million people who play squash.
As squash gains popularity worldwide, it is essential for the Ghana Squash Association to understand the emerging squash economy and the opportunities it presents.
This could be done by examining how other countries have developed and capitalized on the sport, Ghana can learn valuable lessons to further promote and grow squash within its borders.
Squash has witnessed a significant resurgence in recent years, transforming into a global sport with a thriving economy. Various nations have successfully harnessed this rising interest, leveraging it for economic growth, development, and international recognition.
The global squash racket market reached a value of 11.40 billion in 2023 and forecasted to reach $18.75 billion in 2033.
Economic Impact
The squash economy encompasses various revenue streams, including sponsorships, broadcasting rights, merchandise sales, and ticketing. Countries such as Egypt, the United States, and England have established robust professional leagues, attracting sponsorships and broadcast deals worth millions of dollars. Ghana can tap into these potential revenue sources to further develop its squash infrastructure.
One vital aspect of building a successful squash economy is the development of world-class facilities. Countries like Egypt have invested significantly in constructing state-of-the-art squash complexes, hosting international tournaments and attracting top players.
The Ghana Squash Association can learn from their infrastructure development strategies and seek partnerships to build and upgrade squash facilities across the country.
Another area the Ghana Squash Association (GSA) can sustain success in the sport is building a strong foundation at the grassroots level.
The GSA can promote the sport in schools, organize training camps, and create long-term development plans to identify and nurture talented players. This can be done and achieved by collaborating with international organizations, such as the World Squash Federation, that will provide access to expertise, funding, and training programs for Ghanaian players.
Establishing partnerships with local and international sponsors can provide the necessary financial support to fuel the growth of the sport in the country.
This is by learning from the successful sponsorship models implemented by other nations and devise innovative marketing strategies to attract sponsors.
Additionally, leveraging social media platforms and organizing community events can help raise awareness and increase participation.
One key feature of developing squash in Ghana is by creating talent development programmes to nurture young squash players and groom them for success at regional and international levels.
The GSA must establish training academies, scholarships, and mentorship programmes to provide aspiring athletes with the necessary resources, guidance, and exposure to compete at the highest level.
Collaboration and media coverage
Collaborating with international squash bodies, such as the Professional Squash Association (PSA) and the World Squash Federation (WSF), allows the GSA to participate in international tournaments and gain exposure on a global scale.
These collaborations can also facilitate coaching exchanges, player transfers, and access to technical and administrative expertise.
This should be followed by enhanced media coverage and broadcasting of squash events at the local level.
Ghana Squash Association can work with local media outlets to ensure coverage of national tournaments and encourage international media partnerships for broadcasting major squash events.
Increased visibility will attract sponsors, generate revenue, and inspire more individuals to participate in and follow the sport.