WORLD SQUASH NEWS

World Opens Combine As Hong Kong Heralds Biggest Ever Squash Event

The biggest ever single event in World Squash will take place in Hong Kong at the end of the year when the Men's and Women's World Open Championships will be staged jointly for the first time.

The event, full details of which will be announced by the hosts in September, will be held in Hong Kong from 29 November to 4 December.

The staging of this unique event has required close collaboration between the World Squash Federation (WSF), the Professional Squash Association (PSA) and the Women's International Squash Players' Association (WISPA) - and a major reorganisation of the international calendar.

The men's Saudi International Squash Open will now move, from the slot required for the World Opens, to 16-20 December.  This follows the fixed points of the Qatar Classic from 22-27 November and the Men's World Team Championship from 8-14 December.  A special provision has been made to hold the qualification tournament for the Saudi event in the UK in November, to minimise player travel disruption in the intensive late December period when airlines are busy.

"To reach this point has required superb co-operation between WSF, WISPA, PSA, Hong Kong Squash and the Saudi authorities - particularly the latter, who went the extra mile to ensure that December becomes the greatest month ever in professional squash," said PSA Chief Executive Gawain Briars.

"The path to releasing and adjusting dates at the back end of the season has tested co-operation to the full.  All parties have worked hard to adjust and secure final dates to suit both circuits, and I am particularly grateful to Ziad A. Al-Turki, our new promoter in Saudi Arabia, for his gracious co-operation in adjusting his own times for the exciting new Al-Khobar Open now to be held in mid December as a Super Series Platinum event.

WSF Chief Executive Christian Leighton commented:  "The WSF has worked closely with PSA and WISPA to help bring about a re-shuffle that suits us all, and I thank them warmly for their co-operation.

"I believe that the Hong Kong Squash will stage an extraordinary showcase for two World Opens which all fans and media, as well as the players, can really look forward to.  The venue details and plans, to be finally confirmed, will provide a memorable occasion as well as creating an iconic location to promote the best professional squash has to offer," Leighton concluded.

WISPA Executive Director Andrew Shelley is also delighted with the news:  "WISPA enjoyed a fantastic World Open in Hong Kong in 2003 and all the players will relish returning there to compete in our premier event.  Not only will our competition be intense, but we will enjoy watching the destiny of the men's title unfold too.  Hong Kong Squash and their sponsors have surpassed themselves again."