|
|
|
 |
22-Oct:
Best players to be featured
in the world’s most vibrant city
The annual squash extravaganza Cathay Pacific Sun Hung Kai
Financial Hong Kong Squash Open 2012 will take place at
Hong Kong Squash Centre and Cultural Centre from November
25 to December 2.
The world’s top 30 players from the Women’s Squash Association (WSA)
and the Professional Squash Association (PSA) will once again
vie for a lucrative winning purse of HK$1.6 million in the
world’s most vibrant city.
This year, the ever-popular Hong Kong Open has also been chosen
as the inspection event for the International Olympic
Committee (IOC) to determine which of the sports shortlisted
should claim a place on the programme for the 2020 Olympiad.
As a centrepiece in the World Squash Federation’s bid for
Olympic inclusion, Hong Kong Open, having been recognised as one
of the favourite and best-organised events, would showcase the
best of the sport to impress the IOC delegation.
"Hong Kong Squash is very proud to hold the Hong Kong Open for
the 27th time with the support of Cathay Pacific, Sun Hung Kai
Financial and all other co-sponsors” said Mr David Mui,
MH, JP, Chairman of Hong Kong Squash.
"It also is an honour for us to have the opportunity to present
the tournament, and the sport, in its best possible light to IOC
delegation to ensure that squash gets the chance we all feel it
deserves to become part of the Olympic programme."
"We are very happy that the IOC
selected Hong Kong for the squash leg of its inspection tour,”
said Mrs. Heather Deayton, WSF Vice President. "We are
very confident that they will enjoy Hong Kong, and that they
will see another great year of the Hong Kong Open.
“Bringing the sport to the next level, we are also delighted to
appoint Dr York Chow to be the first 'WSF Ambassador
for Squash',” added Mrs. Deayton.
"Dr Chow besides is a keen squash player, who also has been very
supportive. We believe that his strong sports background and his
passion for squash will help promoting the sport in the
international arena."
The early stages of the tournament will be held at the Squash
Centre before moving to the Cultural Centre in Tsim Sha Tsui for
its semi-finals and finals.
For the women’s event, which has just been drawn at the press
conference, Nicol David of Malaysia, the six-time world
champion is the top seed of the women’s event, and will meet
Sarah Kippax from England.
Our local number one Annie Au Wing-chi who has reached
her career high of 6 in the world ranking, together with HK’s
Joey Chan Ho-ling will face qualifiers, while the rising
star Liu Tsz-ling who enters the main draw via the
wild-card will meet Dipika Pallikal from India.
James Willstrop, the world number one and defending
champion, is the top seed of the men’s event. He will face his
compatriot Adrian Grant, who currently ranks 19, in the first
round.
Our local hero Leo Au who recently won his first Hong
Kong Champion title, is for the first time straight into the
main draw via the wild-card spot. He will meet the fourth seed
Karim Darwish from Egypt. |
Full Draws
News #01: HK set to impress IOC
Full Draws |
|
Back row from the left, Mrs. Heather Deayton,
Vice-President, World Squash Federation, Miss Carat Cheung, Miss
Hong Kong 2012 & Miss International Goodwill 2012, Mr. Terry
Smith, Vice Chairman, Major Sports Events Committee, Mr. Simon
Large, General Manager Marketing, Loyalty Programmes & CRM,
Cathay Pacific Airways Limited, Mr. David Mui, MH JP, Chairman,
Hong Kong Squash, Mr. William Leung Wing-Cheung, BBS JP,
Executive Director, Chief Executive Officer of Sun Hung Kai
Financial Limited,Mr. Jonathan McKinley, JP, Deputy Secretary
(Recreation & Sport), Home Affairs Bureau, Dr. York Chow, GBS
and Miss Jacqueline Wong, Miss Hong Kong 2012 First Runner-Up
2012.
From the left of front row, Hong Kong players, Mr. Max Lee, Ms.
Annie Au and Mr. Leo Au. |
|
