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The opportunity for
amateur club players to compete in the British Open Squash
Championships - the ‘Wimbledon' of Squash - has been
launched jointly by England Squash and the
internationalSPORTgroup.
An extensive
Pre-Qualification competition will offer players the chance to play
against the world’s very best professionals on the spectacular
all-glass show court at the Dunlop British Open – Manchester 2007.
The British Open,
the world’s most important, prestigious and longest established
squash championships, has been staged since 1922. Every
professional player strives to win the sport’s blue riband event and
any player who has won the British Open can lay claim to the status
of ‘Number One in the World’.
Past champions
include: Jahangir Khan (a record 10 titles from 1982 -1991),
Geoff Hunt (8 titles from 1969-1981), Hashim Khan (7
titles from 1951-1958), Jonah Barrington (6 titles from
1967-1973), Jansher Khan (6 titles from 1992-1997),
Heather McKay (a record 16 women's titles from 1962-1977),
Susan Devoy (8 titles from 1984-1992), Michelle Martin (6
titles from 1993-1998) and Sarah
Fitz-Gerald (2 titles 2001 & 2002).
 “A
central part of our plan for the British Open has always been to
create a truly distinctive feel to this exceptional event. We
believe that “Open” should really mean open – it works for the
greatest golf championship in the world, so why not for squash?
"The chance for our members to say “I played in the Open” is really
exciting."
England Squash Chief Executive
Through this
exciting new initiative, players will have the opportunity of
competing in the world’s largest combined men’s and women’s squash
championships - and the chance of progressing to the National
Squash Centre in Sportcity, Manchester, where the championships
will be watched by over 6,000 spectators from 20-24 September.
The 2007 Dunlop
British Open Pre-Qualification is open to all England Squash
members, with two men’s and women’s qualification places being
awarded to the respective pre-qualification finalists.
 "This is a
truly unique opportunity for all squash players and enthusiasts to
compete in the world’s oldest and prestigious tournament - one that
recognises the origins of the British Open as ‘the Open’
championships.
"Last year’s British Open attracted players and spectators
from over thirty-five different countries and we are confident that
the introduction of pre-qualification will
further add to the appeal and reach of the championships."
internationalSPORTgroup |
