Boasting a record £61,000 prize fund, the 2006 Women's World Open will get underway at the Belfast Boat Club on Monday 20 November before moving to the city's historic Ulster Hall from the second round onwards, leading to the final on Sunday 26 November.
The Lord Mayor of Belfast, Councillor Pat McCarthy, welcomed Irish squash star Madeline Perry to the Ulster Hall today (Tuesday) to launch the staging of the world's most prestigious women's event in Belfast.The championship will be hosted by Irish Squash, in conjunction with Ulster Squash and its partners the Belfast City Council, Sports Council for Northern Ireland and Northern Ireland Events Company – and follows an agreement reached between Irish Squash and the World Squash Federation (WSF).
Tickets for the event, from £5 to £15, are available now. Full details – including group ticket offers and hotel packages - are available on the official website www.womensworldopen.com - which is launched today.
"Ever since the World Open was announced as coming to Belfast, everybody has been talking about it," said Madeline Perry, the world number eight and seven-times Irish champion from Banbridge.
"The girls on the WISPA Tour are asking loads of questions about Belfast as there hasn't been top squash here for a long time and they are all very excited about visiting the city," added the 29-year-old who was a surprise quarter-finalist in last year's World Open in Hong Kong.
"It will be a real boost for squash in Ireland and I hope there will be big crowds coming to watch. For me, it will be great to play in front of home support and I hope it inspire me to have a great World Open.
"The City has done a fantastic job bringing the Worlds to Ulster and I can hardly wait for it to start!"
Lord Mayor Pat McCarthy said: "Belfast has a long and proud sporting tradition, and a growing reputation for hosting the finest world-class events. As our city rebuilds, regenerates and re-brands itself, we are attracting an increasing number of prestigious international sporting events – and the 2006 Women’s World Open Squash Championships is the latest feather in our cap.
“I know that Council staff have been working very closely with the tournament organisers, not only to bring this prestigious event to the city, but also to ensure that it is one of the most successful in the history of the competition.
“Over the last 144 years, the Ulster Hall has witnessed many historic occasions, and I have absolutely no doubt that it will provide an excellent location for the final rounds of the competition. I wish all the competitors – and especially Madeline – all the very best, and look forward to welcoming the cream of the squash world to Belfast next month.”
The 2006 Women's World Open will attract all of the world's top women players, from countries such as Malaysia, Australia, Netherlands, England, Egypt, New Zealand, USA, Hong Kong, France and Scotland.
Malaysia's Nicol David, whose victory in the 2005 championships led her to becoming the first ever Asian world number one, is also looking forward to competing in next month's event at Ulster Hall: "The World Open this year is going to be incredibly exciting for me. This will be the first time I have the chance to visit Belfast and I'm really looking forward to playing the World Open in a new city.
"It's wonderful that Belfast has come in to host this prestigious event. All of us will be gearing up to put on a great show and hoping that the Irish supporters will come to cheer us on throughout the tournament. The competition is going to be a tough one all the way because everyone wants the crown that I managed to win last year.
"It's definitely something to look forward to in November. Thanks a million, Belfast!"
Mervyn Elder, Chairman of the Northern Ireland Events Company, said: “We're delighted to support the Women's World Open 2006 and to help bring the blue riband event in women's squash to Northern Ireland for the first time.
“Fulfilling the Events Company's brief of bringing world class events to Northern Ireland and delivering world-wide broadcast media coverage, the Women's World Open plays a major role in promoting Northern Ireland on the world stage as well as consolidating Northern Ireland's position as a venue for major international and world class events. I'd like to thank Belfast City Council, The Sports Council, The Belfast Telegraph and Ulster and Irish Squash for their investment in what is sure to be a fantastic event and look forward to the competition at both Belfast Boat Club and the Ulster Hall.”
Professor Eric Saunders OBE, of the Sports Council for Northern Ireland, added: "We are delighted to be involved in the Women’s World Open Squash Championships Belfast 2006. At the Sports Council we are committed to our three strategic aims of increasing participation, striving for excellence and promoting the good reputation of sport.
"We are therefore delighted that a world class event will take place in Belfast as it is a major component of promoting Northern Ireland. This event will help raise the international profile of Northern Ireland by attracting world-class athletes, benefiting our local athletes, our local sports systems and the social, economic and political infrastructure."
Further details on the 2006 Women's World Open Squash Championship, including ticket details, are available from the official website, www.womensworldopen.com