DARYL Selby is satisfied that the sport of squash has done all it can to force its way into the reckoning for the 2020 Olympic Games.
The Chelmsford player, 30, has recently played in the Hong Kong Open with the International Olympic Committee taking a watching brief.
And although he only made it though to the last 16, he's confident the sport managed to show itself off.
He said: "I think it went very well all the feedback has been very positive.
"One of the IOC guys that came to look at the event I think was quite impressed. I think he thought it was run very well and the athletes impressed him, so hopefully it all went well."
It was a frustrating few days for the hitter.
He came through his first round against Alister Walker with a hard-fought 3-2 victory. But then he threw away several chances to take a 2-1 lead against world number four Karim Darwish and went on to lose 3-1.
"It was a little frustrating, especially as Karim got through to the semis because unfortunately his quarter-final opponent, Peter Barker, had to withdraw with injury."
Now in Qatar Selby is preparing for the biggest event on the squash calendar– the WSF World Individual Championships in Doha.
He takes on Finnish number one Ollie Toumiloan tomorrow (Friday) and would meet Darwish again in the latter stages if he wins though.
"This is the biggest event of year for us," he said.
"Last week I had a good chance to get through to the semis and obviously I didn't take it. This week I'm meant to be playing Darwish in the last 16 against so hopefully I can get my revenge and get through that match and make my first quarter-finals of the World Championships."
Fellow Essex player Barker pulled out of last week's event with a hamstring injury and the pair have been training together in the East.
Selby added: "I've been with Pete and he's been doing a lot in the gym and me too. It's been good. The Hong Kong tournament finished early for me and we don't get long between tournaments."
