African Open Cancelled
Promoters of the African Open, which was due to take place in Lagos
from 12-15 August, have advised the PSA that the event has been
cancelled.
"This decision has been taken with much reluctance after lengthy
consultation with stakeholders but has been informed by the fact
that two of our major financial sponsors for the tournament have
communicated to us that they will not be able to fulfil their
sponsorship obligations due to the global economic realities facing
them," said Chiekezi Dozie in communication with the PSA.
"We have done all we can to secure other sponsorship to host this
event successfully. We do realise the very serious implications of
cancellation this late in the day but we really do not seem to have
a choice."
PSA Chief Executive Alex Gough told his members: "It is very
unfortunate for all involved that this year's edition of the African
Squash Open has had to be cancelled. The sport as a whole has been
very buoyant in spite of the current global economic conditions, but
there were always going to be unavoidable casualties.
"Cheikezi Dozie and Segun Maku have put in extraordinary efforts to
raise the profile of this event and we really feel for them in
having to make this decision. I am confident they will try
everything in their power to reignite the event for next year and we
will work closely with them to try to make this happen."
The 5-star event had attracted a strong field, led by Egypt's world
number one Karim Darwish.
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