World Squash Federation CEO Andrew Shelley rounded off a highly successful 2011 Men's World Team Championship venue and hotel inspection in the German town of Paderborn when he and the key organisers met the Mayor of Paderborn, Mr Heinz Paus.
Having approved the facilities and hotel, Shelley - accompanied by Andreas Preising, President of the Paderborn Squash Club; club manager Norman Farthing; and championship office manager Carolin Feinbier - was able to report to the mayor that the Ahorn-Sportpark facilities are superb. The Ahorn-Sportpark features ten courts, plus an all-glass court which will be brought in for the championship.
President Preising confirmed that preparations are going well, yet there is still a mountain of work ahead for those responsible. "The championship - with 32 nations and some two hundred athletes and coaches, plus a glass court with 1000 seating capacity in the Ahorn-Sportpark - will provide a daunting challenge to the busy workers," explained Preising.
The Mayor expressed his thanks to World Squash that Paderborn was given the honour of hosting this world championship.
"It is excellent that we are able to bring the World Men's Teams to arguably the most successful club in Europe in terms of team titles," Shelley responded. "The set-up will be superb, but what is most appealing is the planned major effort to promote squash locally and beyond.
"A Paderborn bus emblazoned with event promotion will be on the road next week; other marketing schemes will soon be up and running; the media is being encouraged; and business links are being forged," added Shelley. "This is just the rounded approach to hosting that will ensure success on every level."
The 23rd staging of the event, from 21-27 August next year, will see Egypt attempting to retain the title they won after beating France 2/1 in the final in Denmark two years ago.