The 38-year-old Welshman, who was once ranked number eight in the world, replaces Richard Graham, who resigned last December.

 

Ziad Al-Turki, the chairman of the PSA, said: "Alex was an obvious choice to replace Richard.

 

"He’s committed himself 100 per cent to the role of COO and has won the respect of the Board and of all the important stakeholders in squash. 

 

"He is already leading many of the development projects recently begun by the PSA, and with this appointment the Board has given him a deserved vote of confidence."

 

Gough had been in the post of chief operating officer since June 2008 and in that time had supported Graham and reported, through him, to the Board. 

 

With Graham’s departure, Gough took up the reins unofficially almost immediately, leading discussion on a number of important topics at the PSA Board meeting last month in New York.

 

He said: "I am delighted that the Board has shown confidence in me with this appointment, although in practice the workload hasn’t changed and we’ve still a great deal to do if we are to develop the sport of squash to its full potential." 

 

One of Gough’s first tasks in the new role will be to find his replacement as chief operating officer. 

 

He said: "I have identified a few candidates in the short time that I have known about my own promotion, but I am anxious that the correct procedures regarding an appointment are followed and that all due diligence is conducted.

 

"I’m not in too much of a hurry to make the appointment and will not expect to do so before the end of February." 

 

The PSA manages and promotes the men’s world professional squash circuit from its head office in Cardiff. 

 

The annual PSA World Tour, which forms the backbone of men's elite squash, features over 100 events in more than 50 countries, and is leading the campaign to get the sport into the Olympics.

 

It is one of seven sports up for election at the International Olympic Committee's (IOC) Session in Copenhagen in October.

 

The other sports seeking election are baseball, golf, karate, roller sports, rugby sevens and softball.