Saudi Arabia to make its World debut in Chennai

India will lead 23 nations in the 20th edition of the biennial World Squash Federation event at the Indian Squash Academy here from July 24 to 29.

India will be hosting the championship for the second time since the inaugural event in 1980.

Saudi Arabia will participate in a World Team squash championship for the first time at the 2018 WSF men's world junior team championship in Chennai  in July.

The host will lead 23 nations in the 20th edition of the biennial World Squash Federation event at the Indian Squash Academy here from July 24 to 29.

India will be hosting the championship for the second time since the inaugural event in 1980.

The team event will follow the men's & women's world junior individual championships from July 18 to 23.

Pakistan will look to defend the title it won for the fifth time in the 2016 men's team championship in Poland — where India finished in sixth place.

Commenting on the first appearance of a Saudi Arabian team in a World Championship, Saudi Squash Federation President Ziad Al-Turki said: "The Saudi General Sports Authority under its new leadership has different goals than in previous years - it now concentrates on mass participation, wanting to take participation in sports amongst Saudis from 17 per cent to 40 per cent by 2020."

The 23 nations competing in the team championship in Chennai are: Argentina, Australia, Canada, Colombia, Egypt, England, Finland, France, Germany, Hong Kong, China, India, Ireland, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Switzerland, USA & Zimbabwe.