Squash Returns To Great Pyramid of Giza
The Great Pyramid of Giza - one of the seven wonders of
the world - will once again provide the backdrop for a
professional squash tournament when the 2016 Al-Ahram Squash
Open takes the sport back to its most iconic
location ever for the first time in a decade.
The breathtaking pyramids were the setting for the 2006 World
Championship, providing imagery of one of the most iconic
sporting locations ever, and after an agreement was reached
between the PSA, Egyptian Squash Federation and
promoter Amr Mansi [Managing Director of I Events], the
sport's top stars will once again compete in front of the trio
of structures this September, when the tournament gets underway
on September 17-23.
The 16-man draw will see the world's elite compete for a share
of a $100,000 prize fund as part of what promises to be an
electric 2016/17 PSA World Tour season.
"We are delighted to have reached an agreement with the
Egyptian Squash Federation and promoter Amr Mansi that will see
squash return to one of the most spectacular settings in world
sport in front of the the Great Pyramid of Giza later this
year," said PSA COO Lee Beachill.
"The images captured during the 2006 World Championship, the
last time the sport was played there, continue to set the
standard for all other squash tournaments, and many other sports
around the world, to aspire to and showed the world that squash
has an unmatched ability to showcase the most stunning locations
in the world.
"We're very excited to be returning to Giza and look forward
to working with all our partners to ensure that this year's
event goes down as one of the best in history and will be
supported with a live television broadcast that will ensure the
most iconic location in the sport is transmitted into the homes
of millions of fans around the world.”
I Events managing director and tournament promoter Amr Mansi
said:
“Bringing squash back to the Great Pyramids of Giza has been
an ambition for me over the past few years and the Al Ahram
International Squash Open was the first inspiration to me to
start this career of promoting squash events in Egypt .
"I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Egyptian
Squash Federation and the PSA for working together to make the
Al Ahram International Squash Open return once again.
“The Al Ahram International tournaments of the 1990s and
early 2000s inspired an entire generation of Egyptians to take
up squash and, with the country currently dominating at the top
of the world rankings, we believe that this year’s tournament
could serve to inspire another generation of Egyptian
superstars.
"Eng Khaled Abdel Aziz, the Minister of Youth and
Sports, has given us his full support. He is happy to bring one
of the biggest and most prestigious squash events in the world
back to the Pyramids, and is looking forward to creating such
pronounced success in line with the reputation of Egypt in the
international global championships."
Egyptian Squash Federation President Mr Assem Khalifa
added: "We are glad to announce that we will once again be
hosting one of the most distinguished squash events in the world
here in Egypt.
"This event is the reason the Egyptians excelled in the sport as
the Al Ahram tournament in the past has shown them that dreams
can come true. We are truly looking forward to bringing this
event back and guarantee to make it an unforgettable one."
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