SHEIKHA FADYAH AL-SABAH 2009 KUWAIT MEN'S WORLD SQUASH OPEN

For more than four years, Sheikha Fadyah Al-Sabah has been orchestrating and planning the hosting of the world's most prestigious squash tournament, the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Men's World Open 2009, which will be staged in Kuwait between the 1st and 7th November.
The Kuwait Men's World Squash Open 2009 was awarded to Sheikha Fadyah Al-Sabah by the PSA and the World Squash Federation (WSF) as a result of her historical endeavours over the last four years of hosting and producing tournaments within Kuwait.
Sheikha Fadyah Al-Sabah has assembled a team of leading professionals to manage all aspects of event management, under her direction as the President of the Higher Organising Committee.

Qualification for the championships will be held in London, England on the 28th August 2009 at
St George's Hill Squash & Tennis Club. Thirty-two players will compete for sixteen main draw places in the main draw that will be played in Kuwait. The thirty-two Qualifiers will comprise the twenty highest ranked PSA players, eight WSF selected players and four Kuwaiti nominated players. The Main Draw of six-four participants will consist of the forty-seven top ranked PSA players, sixteen successful Qualifiers and one Kuwaiti Wildcard, Abdullah Al-Meyzeyan, the Kuwaiti No.1 who will have the honour of playing the first match of the event following the Opening Ceremony

The prize fund of US$275,000 is the largest ever offered by any World Open or World Tour event.


KUWAIT PAST & PRESENT

Fritz Borchert

(All pictures in TOURNAMENTS- 2008-KUWAIT PAST & PRESENT)

I had to climb the stairs into the loft of my house and it took a while, to find the file from 1992, written on an electric typewriter and distributed to several Squash Publications. Yes, at that time Squash Publications were widespread and well respected. A far cry from today, the Liberation Cup in February 1992 in Kuwait, attracted alone from England 5 Professional Journalist (not Squash-fans), 2 Photographers and several TV Crews. Naturally the great Media Interest was heightened by the circumstances of this event.

LIBERATION CUP 1992.
Kuwait was just recovering from the after mass of the savage war with Saddam Hussein. Ruins and destruction in evidence everywhere. Nearly everyone you talk to was badly affected by the war and had a horror story to tell. I was privileged to be allowed, attached to an French TV crew, to go to the border region with Iran and see many of the oil wells still burning and saw much of the oil spread over wide areas of the desert sand.

As part of the mammoth task of reconstruction and to show a positive signal to the World, the Liberation Cup was born. The Squash world responded and most of the leading players found their way to Kuwait City. The entry was lead by record British Open Champion Jahangir Khan, who later returned to Kuwait several times as President of the WSF. Also in the field of high-ranking competitors, was Jahangir’s arch rival and former World Champion Ross Norman, as well as Chris Dittmar. Great interest arose from the entertaining play of the up-coming Ahmed Barada.

Barada found in Jahangir his master and so did everyone else. Jahangir beat Chris Dittmar in the final, who had the better of Ross Norman in the Semis and received a much valued trophy.

SHEIKHA AL SAAD KUWAIT OPEN 2005

What a contrast to 1992, was my return to Kuwait City to the Sheika Al Saad Kuwait Open 2005. A modern City, vibrant and alive where ever one looked. Squash too was also alive and kicking. However the title of the Kuwait Open revealed a rather sad Story. Sheikha Al Saad, a prominent member of the Royal Family of Kuwait, died young in the prime of her life. A graduate with an active life in Commerce, she was also a great Squash fan. Her name is now proudly linked to the Kuwait Open.

An Open Air Arena was the scene for the grand opening of the Kuwait Open 2005. Only the weather played foul and most of the games had to be transferred into the Squash Club. However the Championships where blessed with two great finals. First Nicol David beat Natalie Grainger 4/9, 9/6, 9/7, 10/8 followed by a win from David Palmer over Peter Nicol with 11/4, 9/11,11/3, 11/6.


SHEIKHA AL SAAD KUWAIT OPEN 2007

Kuwait Open final in 2007 provided some of the best squash of the season. Already the early rounds in the Al Qadsia Club, saw many memorable matches, accumulating with a Dream Finale between World No.One Amr Shabana and Crown-Prince Ramy Ashour. Ashour won 11/5, 11/3, 12/10. The Ladies match was far more balanced. In the end, it was Nicol David who won after 93 minutes with 9/6, 10/8, 2/9, 9/1 over Natalie Grainger .

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13 Year Old Ethiopian Squash Player Shines at IOC Presentation

Today marked a crucial step for the sport of squash in its bid for inclusion in the Olympic Games from 2016. A team of six squash representatives made their most important presentation so far to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board in Lausanne, Switzerland. But it was the youngest member of the group, 13 year old Hanna Fekede Balcha, who was the star of the show.

Hanna is Ethiopian, but her family moved to San Diego, USA, when she was nine years old to build a new life for themselves. Hanna was accepted to the Surf City squash program in San Diego which enables students to play squash alongside their studies. Through a structured programme which promotes hard work, both academically and physically, Hanna has progressed to being a Grade A student as well as Under 15 Urban Squash Champion. Her aspirations are now to push boundaries even further in becoming the first member of her family to go to university but also, at 20 years old, her dream is to represent Ethiopia at the Olympic Games in 2016.

Hanna said, “I was really nervous but enjoyed doing the presentation today. It has been amazing to travel to Switzerland and meet my hero, Nicol (David – World number 1 squash player.) I feel like squash has given me so many opportunities that I wouldn’t have had otherwise that when I was asked to take part in this presentation I jumped at the chance. I would be so happy to compete at the Olympic Games.”

Hanna joined the team consisting of IOC Member and Squash Patron, HRH Prince Imran of Malaysia, President of the World Squash Federation (WSF), N Ramachandran, women’s world No 1, Nicol David of Malaysia, former world champion, Frenchman Thierry Lincou and the up and coming South African, Siyoli Lusaseni.

Prince Imran introduced the team, and the Executive Board was then shown a spectacular video, highlighting a number of the key areas that squash believe make them a worthy candidate for inclusion. Among these were the progression the sport has made to be easier and more enjoyable to watch on television, the pledge that the top athletes would compete, the range of nationalities that would be represented (current rankings show there would be 30 different countries involved) the low cost and accessibility of the sport around the world.

President Ramachandran went on to explain how the WSF has improved the infrastructure of the game, and the way in which the professional organisations work to ensure that squash is totally ready to be easily incorporated into the Olympic Games. He also talked about the ease and low cost addition of squash as well as how the sport can easily be hosted in any of the four 2016 bid cities.

The players each outlined why, as athletes, the Olympic Games are so important to them personally, and the many benefits which squash can bring to people’s lives, and to the Olympics.

The full Squash 2016 bid video can be seen here at: http://www.squash2016.info/video/squash.mov

Ramachandran said, “I am very proud of the presentation we have put together and what we have achieved in getting this far. I believe that we have showed squash to its full potential. I know that we have much to offer the Olympic community, and I hope that the IOC will see the merits of our inclusion.”

For bid information please visit www.squash2016.info

Photo caption: The Squash 2016 Bid Team pose outside the IOC headquarters in Lausanne. L-R, Thierry Lincou, Nicol David, N Ramachandran, Hanna Fekede Balcha, HRH Prince Imran of Malaysia, Siyoli Lusaseni and Scott Garrett the Bid Co-ordinator

For all interview requests and for further information on the Squash 2016 bid please contact Juniper PR:

Susan McMahon at susan@juniperpr.co.uk,
Tel office: + 44 (0)20 7735 2970, mobile + 44 (0) 7771 818 501

Or Sarah Hames at sarah@juniperpr.co.uk
Tel office + 44 (0) 20 7735 2970, mobile + 44 (0) 7813 009 783

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'Roger Federer of Women's Squash' Inspires Swiss Youngsters in Zurich

Described as 'the Roger Federer of women's squash' by John Williams, the Swiss National Squash Coach, Nicol David captivated youngsters in Zurich of the opening day of a two-day promotional visit to the tennis player's home country led by the world number one from Malaysia.

Organised by the Women's International Squash Players' Association (WISPA), the visit included exhibition matches and clinics with the Swiss National Junior Women's squad at the Vitis SportsCenter in the largest city in Switzerland. David, on her fifth WISPA Promotional Tour, was joined by Ireland's world number nine Madeline Perry, along with WISPA CEO Andrew Shelley.

Vitis SportsCenter, one of three ‘Vitis’ Sporting Centres in Switzerland, was built in 1983 by former tennis legends Vitas Gerulaitis and Ion Tiriac. The impressive complex has 11 squash courts (including a three-sided glass show-court), plus 10 tennis indoor courts and seven badminton courts.

Cindy Merlo, an 11-year-old from Zurich who was recently crowned the Swiss Junior U13 champion, was overjoyed at her chance to play with Nicol David - the 25-year-old record two-time World Junior champion who next month is certain to round off her third unbroken year at the top of the women's senior world rankings.

"It was very inspiring," said Miss Merlo. "It makes me want to be like her. My ambition is to be European Junior champion, then World Junior champion!"

David was highly complimentary about the large group of young players she worked with, which included the new Swiss U17 National champion Fabienne Oppliger: "There is a fantastic level of squash here - their technique is all there, and they are hitting the ball well. They just need to keep working hard - keep going up and up, step by step."

The large band of enthusiastic Swiss juniors then joined a packed crowd that had arrived at the club to watch Nicol David take on two-time Swiss champion and number one Gaby Schmohl, followed by an entertaining exhibition match between David and WISPA Tour rival Madeline Perry.

John Williams, the club's principal coach and host of the day's event, was full of praise of the WISPA girls' contribution: "They fact that the sport's top women professionals like Nicol and Madeline will give up their time free to host initiatives like this is exemplary. They were totally inspiring to our young girls and I am sure we will see evidence of today's visit for years to come.

"When I heard that there was a chance to get two of WISPA's top world stars to visit our club, I jumped at the chance. The visit attracted a fantastic number of players and enthusiasts - and has given the club a real buzz!"

South African number two Siyoli Lusaseni linked up with the Zurich party after competing in the Alexandria Sports Club Open in Egypt. Following the second day of the WISPA Tour in Luzern, Lusaseni will join Nicol David and the rest of the Squash group which will make a presentation to the IOC in the sport's bid to join the programme for the 2016 Olympic Games.

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Low-Cost High-Impact- Squash Prepares for Presentation of a Lifetime

The Squash 2016 bid team is making final preparations for its presentation of the low-cost high-impact sport to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) Executive Board in Lausanne, on Monday 15 June, in its endeavour to have squash included in the Olympic Games from 2016.

All seven bidding sports will make presentations, and squash believes that it has all the right attributes to make it worthy of a spot. The bid team will have 30 minutes to prove its worth to the Executive Board. The team of six will be led by IOC Member, HRH Prince Tunku Imran of Malaysia, and will include N Ramachandran, President of the World Squash Federation (WSF), and women’s world No1, Nicol David, along with three other players from across the globe.

As well as debuting a brand new video that highlights just how good squash looks on television, the team will also talk about the impressive universality of squash, and what a low-cost addition to the Olympic Games the sport would be. Just two glass squash courts would be required to stage the competition, and the WSF has pledged to donate these to the host city. The courts can be placed almost anywhere and importantly their donation would be permanent, so squash would leave a lasting legacy in Chicago, Madrid, Rio de Janeiro or Tokyo.

The players will explain how an Olympic medal would be the highest honour within the sport; all the top squash athletes in the world have pledged to be there and to compete. Squash has champions in territories that aren’t typically successful at the Olympic Games, and is the only sport to have enjoyed World Champions, men and women, from every continent.

N Ramachandran, WSF President, said; “The team has put an enormous amount of work into Monday’s presentation, which is a reflection of how important Olympic inclusion is to the whole of squash. We are looking forward to the opportunity to address the Executive Board and highlight the many ways in which squash fulfils the criteria to become an Olympic sport”.

As part of the bidding process, squash was invited to send a representative to the recent 4th International Athletes Forum, the meeting of the IOC Athletes’ Commission in Marrakech, Morocco. Alex Gough, CEO of the Professional Squash Association, attended on the sport’s behalf and took part in valuable discussions with a variety of Olympic sports and IOC representatives.

“It was a really valuable experience, and I felt that we made some very good input across the board as well as learning from sports who have enjoyed Olympic status for years. In particular, squash players are very well represented by our professional bodies, and a number of sports were very interested in how we do this so successfully” said Gough.

For bid information please visit www.squash2016.info

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Squash 2016 Day Unites Players In Support Of Olympic Bid

Squash 2016 Day produced a resounding rallying cry all over the globe to support Squash's bid for inclusion in the 2016 Olympic Games.

In a worldwide festival of Squash, the day began with rock star Phil Buscke of The Datsuns performing a bungee jump live on TV from Auckland Harbour Bridge in New Zealand and continued with an amazing array of events as Squash 2016 Day moved through the various time-zones.

Leading professionals lent their support to the bid by joining in hundreds of Olympic-themed events, all taking place on the same day, Saturday 23 May.

The biggest event of the day was held in the USA at the Apawamis Club in Rye, New York, where squash legends Jonathon Power, David Palmer and John White took part in a 100-a-side Battle of the Border fixture.

The trio – all former world number ones, from Canada, Australia and Scotland, respectively - were joined by US number ones Julian Illingworth and Natalie Grainger, plus fellow pros from around the world including Colombian Bernardo Samper; Brazilian Rafael Alarcon; Australians Raj Nanda, Ryan Cuskelly, Mark Price, Kasey Brown, Lisa Camilleri and Narelle Krizek; Scotsman Stuart Crawford; and English players Phil Barker, Suzie Pierrepont, Chris Walker, John Russell and Mike Ferreira.

World No2 Grainger, a World Squash Federation 2016 Ambassador, said: "It was fantastic to see so many leading players supporting the event and more than 500 people came through the club's doors on the day. The event raised money for the bid, showcased squash in the most positive way and helped to raise the profile of the sport."

From the professionals of North America, through Europe and Asia to the townships of Soweto in South Africa, thousands of children were entertained to free coaching lessons and a vivid introduction to squash on a very special day for the sport which boasts 20 million players across all five continents.

In Hong Kong the 9th World Squash Coaching & Development Conference kicked off with speakers and delegates welcoming the Hon. Timothy Fok, IOC Member and President of the Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China, who delivered a most encouraging speech to all the participants of the conference in support of World Squash Day.

Delegates included WSF Vice-President Gerard DeCourcy and Hong Kong Squash Chairman David Mui - as well leading figures from the sport including legendary Australians Geoff Hunt, the eight-time British Open champion, and record five times World Open champion Sarah Fitz-Gerald.

Rio, Chicago and Tokyo - three of the cities bidding to host the 2016 Olympics - held special events throughout the day. As well as open days at every squash club, enthusiasts took to the streets in numbers to be photographed waving their Squash For 2016 banners at prime locations in each city.

The 'Squash For 2016' cry rang out in all 14 States of Malaysia where more than 53 squash venues at squash centres, clubs, colleges, universities and schools - even Armed Forces centres and Police Squash Clubs - joined in this major effort.

The national level programme started at the Royal Lake Club, where Squash first took root in Malaysia – and where dignitaries assembled that morning included WSF Patron and IOC Member HRH Prince Tunku Imran; Dato’ A. Sani Karim, President of the Asian Squash Federation and Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia; Dato’ Mohd Shukri Hussin, CEO of CIMB Foundation, SRAM’s Sports Partner; and two Vice-Presidents and the Secretary General of the Olympic Council of Malaysia.

A 16-vehicle motorcade, supported by four police outriders, made its way to seven iconic buildings in Kuala Lumpur (including the Parliament House, National Museum, Sultan Samad Building, City Hall, Royal Selangor Club, KL Tower and Petronas Twin Towers) where group photographs were taken.

The day rounded off in sensational style with a press conference at which CIMB Investment Bank announced a 4 Million Malaysian Ringgit sponsorship deal with SRAM to extend the current agreement by a further two years.

"Never in the history of squash in Malaysia had we witnessed the entire squash fraternity nationwide coming together to support a worthy cause," commented K. Sivanesen, Hon. Secretary of SRA Malaysia. "All through the length and breadth of the country, Squash For 2016 Day was a day of squash festivities, fun and joy."

The Japan Squash Association hosted a press conference in Tokyo attended by more than 20 members of the National media.

Organiser Miyuki Adachi said: "The coverage afterwards in various newspapers described the launch of the JSA's efforts to help with the bid to have Squash included in the 2016 Olympics.

"As well as the conference, a squash clinic gave the journalists the opportunity to try out the game on court with some of the top players in Japan. All in all, a very successful and enjoyable day."

Other open-air events took place in India (with photographs outside the Taj Mahal and the Gateway to India), South Africa (Table Mountain) and London, where enterprising student James Poole showed his passion for Squash by hiring a London bus to tour the city and stop off for photographs at the Tower of London, Tower Bridge, St Paul's Cathedral, the London Eye, Houses of Parliament, and Buckingham Palace.

Leading the party on the iconic red London double-decker bus were three of the sport's up-and-coming stars - Joe Lee, the British U19 champion, Charles Sharpes, the British U17 champion, and Charlie Lee, the England U10 number one - all of whom could be in their prime by 2016.

"I was delighted to have been involved in World Squash Day and the campaign to get Squash its rightful place in the Olympic Games," said Joe Lee. "The sport deserves the global recognition and extra benefits that would come from Olympic inclusion - and it would be a huge honour for me to, one day, compete for my country in the world's greatest sporting event."

Younger brother Charlie added: "I am happy to be a part of helping squash get in the Olympics. It's a great game and deserves to be included. I would love to compete in The Olympic Games and winning a medal would be amazing!"

In Cape Town, South Africa, Villager Squash Club hosted a "Last Man Standing" tournament. It turned out that the tournament should have been titled "Last Person Standing" since a woman, Siyoli Lusaseni, was crowned the Champion, after five hours of squash and 24 games with different squash enthusiasts!

Fittingly, Siyoli is an Olympic Ambassador for the World Squash Federation. She said: "It was a brilliant day for the game of Squash and a wonderful picture was taken of a group of squash enthusiasts at the Cape Town V and A Waterfront with the backdrop of Table Mountain."

Another huge event in terms of participation was in Mumbai, where Indian ace Ritwik Bhattacharya was the star turn in a programme of State League fixtures with 128 players from Maharashtra between the ages of eight and 65.

Illustrating Squash's cultural diversity, Iran and Nepal held massive press conferences, arranged national TV coverage and invited prominent IOC guests.

In Tehran, more than 600 guests of the Iran Squash Federation visited the historical Sadabad palace with special guests including Mr. Ali Abadi, Head of the country's Physical Education Organisation and President of International Olympic Committee of Iran, and Dr M. SH. Malek Zadeh, President of Iran Squash Federation.

Women's world No1 Nicol David, also a WSF Olympic Ambassador, hosted an open day at her training base in Amsterdam, while back home in Penang, Malaysia, she raised $10,000 towards the Olympic Bid by auctioning off her collection of clothing and rackets which she had worn and used to win major tournaments during her illustrious career.

Without doubt the most exhausted supporters of the event were at the Leñadura Country Club at the southern Chilean city of Punta Arenas, and at Thurles Squash Club, County Tipperary, Ireland, where club players held 24-hour squash marathons.

Mexico's world No16 Samantha Teran, another Olympic Ambassador, headed the celebrations in her homeland which featured activities at many of Mexico's most important clubs, and concluding with a gathering at the Angel of Independence in the centre of the capital.

A special tournament to celebrate Squash 2016 Day in Sao Paulo, Brazil, attracted not only hosts of squash enthusiasts to the Clube Paineiras do Morumby, but also the famous Brazilian singer Daniela Mercury.

At the end of an exhausting, but hugely successful weekend, World Squash Day founder Alan Thatcher said: "The event was massively supported by national federations, and some extraordinary individuals came to the fore to organise amazing events in so many different countries.

"The energy and commitment from so many sources was almost overwhelming, and clearly illustrated the passion we all have to see Squash gain its rightful place in the Olympic Games."

Visit www.worldsquashday.com to view all the above images - and much more

EUROPEAN TEAM CHAMPIONSHIP

England Champions again

Pictures in 'TOURNAMENT'

England successfully retained their titles in the European Team Squash Championships in Malmo - beating second seeds France in the men's final for the ninth time in the last ten years, and overcoming the second-seeded Netherlands team for the seventh successive year in the women's final.

A record-equalling 27 countries were competing in the 37th men's European Squash Federation championship being staged in the Swedish city for the first time – together with a record 21 nations in action in the 32nd staging of the women's ESF tournament.

England number four Alister Walker - making his international debut in the championships - put England ahead in their 17th consecutive appearance in the men's final by beating Julien Balbo 11-7, 11-7, 14-12. In the eagerly-anticipated top string clash between the two highest-ranked players in the event, world No6 Nick Matthew faced Gregory Gaultier, the in-form Frenchman who 24 hours earlier celebrated a rise to No2 in the world rankings.

But, clearly inspired by the England shirt on his back, the 28-year-old from Sheffield defeated Gaultier 11-9, 8-11, 12-10, 11-5 to give the defending champions a 2/0 lead - and requiring France to win the next two matches by 3/0 margins to ensure victory.

And a long-awaited maiden title win by the second favourites looked on the cards when veteran French campaigner Thierry Lincou, a former world champion and world number one, reduced the deficit by beating England's second string Peter Barker 15-13, 11-6, 11-7.

But, in the tense fourth match that followed, London left-hander Adrian Grant clinched the first game against Frenchman Renan Lavigne 13-11, then secured the second 12-10 to ensure England's indisputable victory.

England also took the lead after the first match in the women's final when Londoner Alison Waters survived a tough three-game battle with Dutch stalwart Vanessa Atkinson to beat the former world champion 12-10, 14-12, 11-7 in 31 minutes.

The match that followed saw England number Jenny Duncalf face Netherlands newcomer Natalie Grinham, the former Australian making her Dutch debut at the championships. World No5 Duncalf, ranked a place below her opponent, bravely stemmed a fight back by Grinham before recording a notable 11-5, 11-7, 5-11, 8-11, 11-8 victory in 52 minutes which clinched the title for England - thereby extending to 32 years their unbeaten European championship run!

Laura Lengthorn-Massaro made it a maximum points win when she beat Annelize Naude 12-10, 11-2 in the best-of-three dead rubber that followed.

In the men's play-off ties, Wales beat Netherlands after a games countback to take third place - their best finish since 2006.

France defeated Ireland 2/1 in the women's third place play-off to repeat their success of last year - while, perhaps the best outcome in the competition was the eighth place finish celebrated by Italy, the nation's first ever finish in the top eight in 26 appearances since 1982.

Official website: http://etc2009sweden.visualclubweb.nl/







Women's Final:
England 3-0 Netherlands

Alison Waters 3-0 Vanessa Atkinson 12/10, 14/12, 11/7 (35m)
Jenny Duncalf 3-2 Natalie Grinham 11/5, 11/7, 5/11, 8/11, 11/8
Laura L.Massaro 2-0 Annelize Naude 11/?, 11/2

Men's Final:

England 2-1 France
Alister Walker 3-0 Julien Balbo 11/1, 11/7, 14/12 (59m)
Nick Matthew 3-1 Gregory Gaultier 11/9, 8/11, 12/10, 11/5 (65m)
Peter Barker 0-3 Thierry Lincou 13/15, 7/11, 7/11
Adrian Grant 2-0 Renan Lavigne 13/11, 12/10

Men's 3rd/4th: Wales 2-2 Netherlands (Wales win on games

3/4: France 2-1 Ireland
Camille Serme 0-3 Aisling Blake 11/4, 11/6, 13/11
Isabelle Stoehr 3-2 Madeline Perry 11/8, 11/7, 8/11, 3/11, 11/8
Maud Duplomb 3-0 Tanya Owens 11/4, 11/3, 11/3

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The ISS Canary Wharf Classic

AUSSIE ACE PALMER TAKES ISS CANARY WHARF

Australia’s David Palmer, at 32 one of the senior citizens of the PSA World Tour, clinched the 25th title of his career by beating reigning champion James Willstrop in the final of the ISS Canary Wharf Squash Classic.

Palmer’s power-play at the start of the match provided the foundation for his victory. He withstood a fierce fightback from Willstrop to clinch his first Canary Wharf title 11-9, 12-10, 8-11, 11-7 after 65 minutes of high-paced squash before a sell-out crowd at the East Wintergarden venue.

Willstrop, who is due to undergo an ankle operation next week to remove a bone spur on his ankle, made no excuses after the his first defeat in his fourth Canary Wharf final.

He said: “Absolutely no excuses. David has shown all week what a great player he is. We always have great matches and at 6-1 down in the third I somehow managed to stop him winning three-love. He won the match by playing excellent squash in a very sporting manner.

“I am feeling pretty down at the moment, and my father Malcolm and Peter Nicol have tried to console me at courtside, but on reflection, when I was two-love down against Borja on Wednesday night, I would have settled for a place in the final.

“David is still a great competitor and a great champion. It’s a great era for squash and with the sport bidding for a rightful place in the Olympics we would love to play matches like this in the Olympic Games.”

Palmer said: “I know James has had injury and illness problems this year but to do what he has done this week is amazing. He is a superb player to watch and a wonderful ambassador for the sport. Our matches are always open and for two big guys we move around each other very well.

“I wish I was 22 instead of 32 as I watch these younger guys playing such great squash. I have said many times this week that I am still enjoying my squash as much as ever and will continue to play for as long as I can.”

Tournament organisers were delighted to announce a two-year extension of the title sponsorship agreement with ISS and venue providers Canary Wharf Group.

Men’s ISS Canary Wharf Squash Classic, East Wintergarden, Canary Wharf, London. Final:
4) David Palmer (Australia) beat (3) James Willstrop (Eng) 11-9, 12-10, 8-11, 11-7 (65 mins).

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The ISS Canary Wharf Classic

COMEBACK KINGS WILLSTROP AND PALMER
TO MEET IN ISS CANARY WHARF FINAL

England’s James Willstrop thanked his physio, former Simply Red musician Sylvan Richardson, after reaching the final of the ISS Canary Wharf Squash Classic.
Willstrop, who has been battling illness and injury for much of the year and faces an ankle operation next week, produced another magnificent fightback to beat top seed Amr Shabana to reach the final, where he meets Australian David Palmer, who also had to fight back from the brink of defeat to remove Gregory Gaultier of France.

No.3 seed Willstrop, the 25-year-old reigning champion from Leeds, conjured up one of the most outstanding performances of his career to win 11-7, 12-14, 7-11, 11-5, 11-3 in 77 minutes of magnificent, attacking squash.
He said: “Sylvan gave me some valuable treatment last night and I’ve booked another long session tonight. It certainly helps me to keep playing big matches day after day in major tournaments like this. I just hope the body holds up for one more day.”

Willstrop’s victory followed another spectacular recovery in the quarter-finals when he beat Spaniard Borja Golan after trailing by two games.
Willstrop started strongly against Shabana and edged home in the opening game before the Egyptian showman fought back to win the second 14-12 on the tiebreak.
Shabana, a three-times world champion, appeared to be taking the initiative as he won the third game with a dazzling array of winners.
However, Willstrop responded in emphatic style to take the fourth 11-5. By now Shabana was beginning to look tired and at one stage the 29-year-old left hander leaned against the back wall, clearly breathing heavily.
Willstrop maintained the pace and precision throughout the fifth game, controlling the court with superb length and tight, clinging drop shots.
The 6ft 5in former world junior champion added: “I felt it was match of outstanding quality. There were hardly any interruptions and we were both attacking all the way through.
“Amr had a dominant spell in the middle of he match and I knew I just had to try to stay with him. I wasn’t playing badly but he was playing some exceptional squash. Fortunately I was able to maintain that standard through to the end of the match and turn it round.”

Willstrop has a score to settle in the final when he faces Aussie veteran Palmer. The 32-year-old, now based in Boston, USA, clinched his fourth British Open by beating Willstrop in the final in Liverpool.
Palmer also staged an incredible turnaround after trailing by two games to the in-form Gregory Gaultier. His recovery was even more surprising after losing the second game 11-1.
Palmer said: “That was so embarrassing. I could hardly move in the second game. I was hanging too far back in the court and that’s not my game at all. I managed to step up the court in the third and start attacking more but basically it was just a big hack to get myself out of trouble.

“Maybe Greg relaxed a bit after winning that second game so easily and let me back in. I haven’t beaten him for a long time so it felt good to ends that losing run against him.
“James and I always have good games and for two big guys we move around each other well, so it should be a great final.
“It was nice to hear the crowd encouraging me to get back into the match but I am sure they just wanted whoever won to be tired for the final against James.”
Gaultier admitted: “No excuses from me. I can’t blame the referee or anything because it was my own fault for not closing the deal in three games. I was 5-3 up in the third and should not have lost control of the match from that position.

“That is something I must learn and try to stop it happening again in the future. David is still a very strong player and played very good squash.”

Semi Final Results:
(3) James Willstrop (Eng) beat (1) Amr Shabana (Egypt)
11-7, 12-14, 7-11, 11-5, 11-3 (77 mins).
(4) David Palmer (Australia) beat (2) Gregory Gaultier (France) 11-13, 1-11, 11-7, 11-3, 11-8 (80 mins)

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The ISS Canary Wharf Classic

WILLSTROP FIGHTS BACK TO WIN CANARY WHARF BATTLE

Reigning champion James Willstrop staged a massive comeback to beat Spanish outsider Borja Golan to reach the semi-finals of the ISS Canary Wharf Squash Classic. After losing a close first game, Willstrop was overpowered in the second and was facing a quick exit from a tournament he has dominated in recent years. However, he turned the tables to win the next two games against the battling Spaniard and then completely dominated the fifth to win 10-12, 2-11, 11-7, 11-9, 11-2 in 91 minutes of brutal combat on the glass court in front of a sell-out crowd at the East Wintergarden venue.
He said: "My legs just wouldn't move in the second game and I couldn't get to the front of the court. I don't know why because I felt fresh on Monday and enjoyed a rest day yesterday.
"I knew I had to change things and some words from my father and coach Malcolm helped to me focus on what I had to achieve. It was a very hard game but I am pleased that good squash won it for me at the end of the day. Borja is improving rapidly and the gap is closing between the players lower down the rankings and the guys at the top.”

Willstrop faces a tough semi-final against three-times world champion Amr Shabana, who enjoyed a trouble-free encounter with fellow Egyptian Mohamed El Shorbagy, the world junior champion.
The 18-year-old Shorbagy, a student at Millfield School in Somerset, showed several flashes of brilliance but never looked in danger of repeating his shock victory over England's Nick Matthew on Monday.
Shorbagy produced his best squash near the end of the final game as he battled desperately to stay in the match. And he earned prolonged applause from the full-house crowd at the East Wintergarden venue as he matched top seed Shabana shot for shot before the inevitable conclusion.
No.2 seed Gregory Gaultier matched Shabana in both skill and confidence, easing past England’s Peter Barker in straight games.
French ace Gaultier, who won last week’s PSA Super Series finals at Queen’s Club, triumphed 11-9, 11-8, 11-3 in 50 minutes of high-quality squash.

Barker said: “I played as well as I could but Greg is definitely the best player in the world at the moment.”
Gaultier claimed his improved form is down to building a solid support team of coaches, a nutritionist, psychologist and osteopath. “They keep my mind and body in good shape and I think that is why I am playing so well.
“I am really enjoying my squash and not worrying about winning or losing. I had a disaster here at Canary Wharf last year and so I want to put that right this week.
“This is a fantastic venue and everything about this tournament shows that squash deserves to be in the Olympic Games.” .
Gaultier faces Australia’s 32-year-old No.4 seed David Palmer, who beat Egypt’s Wael El Hindi 12-10, 4-11, 11-7, 11-4 in 63 minutes of physical, precision squash.

El Hindi said: “David is so good at working his way back into a match. I should have closed out the first game after leading 9-5 but they are the situations where David shows his experience.”
Palmer added: “Wael is one of the best players around the game at the moment and is a great character. Finally the sport is waking up and using guys like these to promote the Olympic bid
“I am happy with the way I am playing and looking forward to playing Gaultier. He is the man in form at the moment so I know I need to have everything working properly.

“We are certain to have two outstanding semi-finals and I am sure the crowds will be entertained again.”

Men’s ISS Canary Wharf Squash Classic quarter-finals, East Wintergarden, Canary Wharf, London:
(3) James Willstrop (Eng) beat Borja Golan (Spain) 10-12, 2-11, 11-7, 11-9, 11-2. (91 mins)
Amr Shabana (Egypt) beat (Q) Mohamed El Shorbagy 11-5, 11-6, 11-9 (35 mins)
(2) Gregory Gaultier (France) beat (8) Peter Barker (England) 11-9, 11-8, 11-3
(50 mins)
(4) David Palmer (Australia) beat (6) Wael El Hindi (Egypt) 12-10, 4-11, 11-7, 11-4 (63 mins)

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SUPER SERIES FINALS

Gaultier retains Super Series Title

17th March, Queens Club, London

FRANCE’S Gregory Gaultier claimed his second consecutive ATCO Super Series Finals championship last night (TUES) defeating fellow countryman Thierry Lincou.
World No 3 Gaultier, from Aix-en-Provence, maintained his stunning form of the past four days to clinch victory 11/6, 8/11, 11/5, 11/5, at The Queen’s Club, London.

The 63-minute encounter constantly had the capacity crowd on the edge of their seats as the two players played out a series of lengthy rallies which included some of the most explosive shot-making of the tournament.

Among the spectators was The Queen’s Club Patron, the Duchess of Gloucester, who presented Gaultier with the champion’s trophy.
The gripping and often good humoured final provided a fitting finale to a week which has seen the event give squash a dynamic makeover and provide a platform for the sport to outline why it believes the International Olympic Committee should give it Olympic status for the
2016 Games.

Ziad Al-Turki, Vice-Chairman of the sponsor the ATCO Group and Chairman of the Professional Squash Association, said: “It has been great to introduce the squash family to these outstanding players.
They are incredible athletes who deserve nothing but the best which is why we are pushing to get squash into the Olympics, so they can get the recognition they deserve.”

Gaultier praised the efforts of Ziad in revolutionising the sport in this country and abroad, saying: “Ziad has been a huge boost to the sport and us as players. Let’s hope squash continues to grow as fast as it is now.”
Result Final:
Gregory Gaultier (France) beat Thierry Lincou (France) 11/6, 8/11, 11/5, 11/5.
3rd/4th:
Karim Darwish (Egy) beat Amr Shabana (Egy) 11/8, 11/9, 11/5

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WISPA Celebrates Silver Jubilee At Women's World Open

WISPA stars past and present will celebrate 25 years of the Women's International Squash Players Association at a special WISPA Silver Jubilee Masters event and Gala Dinner held during the Forexx World Open in Amsterdam in September.

The Masters events – featuring Over 35, 40, 45 and 50 age groups - will be open to any past or present WISPA members, and will be played alongside the Forexx World Open from 23-27 September.

The WISPA Silver Jubilee will also be celebrated at a combined Gala Dinner for both the Women's World Open and WISPA anniversary on Saturday 26th September, at the Frans Otten Stadion.

“The first WISPA AGM was held in 1984, so if we use that as the starting point, the Women's World Open this year is the perfect opportunity to celebrate the progress from our conception to maturity,” commented WISPA President Natalie Grainger.

Andrew Shelley, who has been WISPA's Chief Executive for nearly fifteen of these years, added: “We really hope that many past members will want compete in the Silver Jubilee Masters or simply attend the Women's World Open and WISPA Jubilee Gala Dinner as it will be a great evening for reunions, to remember and to reminisce.

“WISPA is really delighted that the Dutch hosts of the Forexx Women's World Open have wholeheartedly supported this additional element to the excitement of the Women's World Open. The search is now on for past WISPA members that we have lost contact with!”

The Forexx Women's World Open Squash 2009 will take place from 20-27 September in the renowned Frans Otten Stadion in Amsterdam. Coincidentally, it will be the 25th staging of the world's most prestigious women's individual championship. It will also be the first time that the championship has been hosted by the Netherlands since it was held in Warmond in 1989.

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Hi-Tec World Squash Championship

Ramy Ashour & Nicol David Share World Honours In Manchester

19.October 2008

Egyptian Ramy Ashour and Malaysian Nicol David shared the honours in the Hi-Tec World Open Squash Championships after victories in today's (Sunday) finals of the first joint staging of the Men's World Open and Women's World Open in the UK at the National Squash Centre at Sportcity in Manchester.

Spurred on by a capacity home crowd in the English city in which she was born and raised, England's Vicky Botwright took the opening game against favourite Nicol David in the women's final - but failed to prevent the world number one from reclaiming the title she lost last year in Madrid.

Botwright, the 11th seed playing in her last competition before retiring to take up a position as Head Coach at the National Centre, led throughout the opening game to take a surprise lead.

But, after dropping her first game of the tournament, David raised her game in the second to draw level after the loss of just a single point.

The Malaysian superstar extended her lead by taking the third. It was nip and tuck in the fourth before David clinched the match 5-11, 11-1, 11-6, 11-9 in 44 minutes to win the world title for the third time - and extend her unbeaten Tour run to 43 matches since last October.

"I knew I had to play my best squash of the week - after all she's world number one, the best player in the world," said the 31-year-old local heroine who made her breakthrough when beating Australia's defending champion Rachael Grinham in the second round.

"It's been a fantastic week - the crowd were fantastic. When they started shouting as I went onto court, I felt a bit emotional. But I am definitely not going to play on the Tour anymore," Botwright confirmed.

David, who has massive support in her home country, acknowledged the significance of the crowd: "I now know what it's like for people to play me in Malaysia."

But she was full of praise for her opponent, ranked 12 in the world: "Every shot she played, every drive, was so tight," said David of her unexpected opponent in the final. "She really kept on fighting - it was a great achievement to get to the final."

Less than 24 hours after competing in the world final, Botwright will be back at work for her employers Manchester City Council, running a coaching session at the city's Abraham Moss Recreation Centre!

The men's event climaxed in an all-Egyptian clash between Ramy Ashour, the fourth seed from Cairo who removed compatriot and defending champion Amr Shabana in the semi-finals, and close friend Karim Darwish, the No7 seed who ousted Australia's two-time champion David Palmer.

Both were playing in their maiden world final - and 27-year-old underdog Darwish took the opening advantage by winning the first game.

But the exuberant Ashour, the 21-year-old world No4 and twice winner of the world junior title, changed his tactics and clinched the second game to draw level.

By now the younger Egyptian was in the ascendancy and - to the joy of the vociferous Egyptian section of the crowd - beat Darwish 5-11, 11-8, 11-4, 11-5 in 60 minutes to become only the second player in history (after Pakistan legend Jansher Khan) to win both the junior and senior world titles.

"Putting me in the same category as Jansher is a huge thing for me," said new champion Ramy Ashour. "I have been watching his videos on YouTube recently - and have used some of his shots in my game.

"I didn't think about becoming world champion during the whole match," added Ashour. "Karim is a very tough player - I had to keep my focus the whole time."

Manchester is clearly a lucky city for the 21-year-old, who won the PSA's flagship Super Series Finals last year at the National Squash Centre. "For sure I'll be back to try and win another title in front of this great crowd."

Ashour, who now has ten PSA Tour titles to his name, admitted that he had played conservatively in the first game: "I did it on purpose - but he came out doing the things I should have been doing, and this provoked me!"

When asked what winning the world title would mean to him, Ashour said: "It will mean a lot - but it will mean more to my mother and father."

Official site: www.worldsquash2008.com
RESULTS: Hi-Tec World Open Squash Championships, Manchester, England

Men's final:
[4] Ramy Ashour (EGY) bt [7] Karim Darwish (EGY) 5-11, 11-8, 11-4, 11-5 (60m)

Women's final:
[1] Nicol David (MAS) bt [11] Vicky Botwright (ENG) 5-11, 11-1, 11-6, 11-9 (44m)