Amna Eltarabolsy made history in December 2024 when she became the first female President of the Egyptian Squash Federation.

Prior to her administrative role, Eltarabolsy played professionally for Egypt and achieved a career-high ranking of 41 in the world.

Since retiring in 2006, Eltarabolsy has stayed in the world of squash as part of the federation. After retiring, Eltarabolsy earned a reputation as one of Egypt’s leading coaches before joining the Egyptian Squash Federation board in 2018.

International Women’s Day highlights the campaign for greater gender equality across the globe and Eltarabolsy’s election to President of Egyptian Squash shines a light on the power of squash to help achieve that.

“Becoming the first female president of the Egyptian Squash Federation is an incredible honour for me,” Eltarabolsy said.

“On a personal level, it is a moment of great pride and responsibility, as I am passionate about the development of squash in Egypt.

“More importantly, I believe it represents a significant step forward for women in Egypt and women in sport. It highlights the progress we are making in breaking barriers and creating opportunities for women to take leadership roles in fields that were once male dominated.

“I hope my role inspires more women to pursue their ambitions in sports administration and beyond.”

Amna Eltarabolsy (standing, back row). In December 2024, Egypt completed a clean sweep at the World Squash Team Championships, the first to feature the men’s and women’s events simultaneously.

The campaign theme for International Women’s Day 2025 is Accelerate Action. The theme emphasises the importance of taking swift and decisive steps to achieve gender equality.

Eltarabolsy is passionate about increasing equality for women in sport and widening participation in squash, whether that be through more grassroots initiatives or encouraging more women to become coaches.

In 2024, with the support of the PSA Foundation, free coaching courses were introduced to women at Black Ball Sporting Club, which will host the World Squash Junior Championships later this year. Eltarabolsy is focused on continuing initiatives such as these to accelerate action for gender equality in squash.

“Encouraging more women to take up coaching and more girls to start playing is a key priority for us. Initiatives like the free coaching courses at Black Ball are just the beginning.

“We plan to introduce more programs aimed at increasing female participation in all areas of the sport. This includes mentorship opportunities, scholarship programs for young players, and initiatives to support women in coaching and refereeing roles.

“Our goal is to create a more inclusive and diverse squash community in Egypt.”

Eltarabolsy has also been focused on supporting and developing the structure of the sport: “In my first few months, my focus has been on strengthening the foundations of Egyptian squash.

“This includes supporting our junior programs, enhancing the coaching structure, and working on international collaborations. We are also looking at ways to increase funding and sponsorship opportunities for players and tournaments.

“My long-term goal is to sustain Egypt’s dominance in the sport while also making squash more accessible to a wider audience, particularly young girls and aspiring coaches.”

In December 2024, Eltarabolsy became the Egyptian Squash Federation’s first female President

Eltarabolsy represented Egypt on the world stage both as a junior and senior squash player and emphasises how her background as a player has supported her administrative journey within the federation.

“Having been a professional player gives me a deep understanding of what athletes need to succeed. I know firsthand the challenges they face, from training and competition to sponsorship and mental preparation.

“This perspective helps me make informed decisions that prioritise the well-being and success of our players. I also have strong relationships within the squash community, which helps in fostering collaboration and growth.”

Amna Eltarabolsy, Hania El Hammamy and Rowan Elaraby cheer on the team at the 2024 World Squash Team Championships

2025 is an exciting year for world squash as it marks three years until LA28, where the sport will be included in the Olympics for the first time. As one of the strongest nations in squash, Eltarabolsy commented on how the sport’s inclusion will positively impact Egypt.

“The inclusion of squash in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics is a game-changer for the sport worldwide and in Egypt. It has created a renewed sense of excitement and motivation.

“Our players now have the chance to compete for an Olympic medal, which adds a new dimension to their goals and aspirations.

“We are already working on plans to prepare our athletes for the highest level of competition and ensure that Egypt remains a dominant force when squash makes its Olympic debut.”

Before then, the World Junior Championships return to Egypt in July 2025. Back in 2003, Amna was a member of the Egyptian team that became World Junior Champions.

“It’s incredibly exciting to host the World Junior Championships in Egypt again! This is a great opportunity for our young players to showcase their talent on home soil and for Egypt to demonstrate why it remains a dominant force in squash.

“Hosting such an event also strengthens our reputation as a global squash hub and provides inspiration for the next generation of players.”

Whilst Eltarabolsy’s role as President for the Egyptian Squash Federation has only just begun, she hopes that her work can inspire women and girls to pick up a squash racket.

“I would like to think that my journey can inspire women in sports and Egyptian women in general.

“If my achievements encourage even one young girl to believe that she can lead, compete, and succeed, then I consider that a success.

“Representation is important, and I hope to use my position to create more opportunities for women in squash—whether as players, coaches, or administrators.”

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