11-Oct-06:
Qatar
Classic Postponed
The world's top men and women squash players learned today that the
forthcoming Qatar Classic, one of the biggest annual events on the
international circuit, has been postponed.
Both the PSA and WISPA received correspondence from the Qatar Squash
Federation which expressed regret that the events, with a combined prize
fund of more than $200,000, "will be postponed until further notice due to
the non completion of the squash complex."
The letter continued: "The plan is to host the Qatar classic within the
coming six months after getting the final approval from Qatar national
Olympic committee. Again I would like to apologise for everyone on behalf
of Qatar squash federation."
Local sources are confident that the venue will be ready in good time for
the Asian Games, which will be held at the complex in December. Building
delays, however, had made it impossible to meet the October Qatar Classic
dates.
The rebuilding of the
complex had started while the
2005 Qatar Classic was held, last November |
|
"Whilst
this is extremely disappointing for all concerned, it is important
to remember that the Qatar Squash Federation have been supporters of
both WISPA and the PSA for a number of years with the Qatar Classic
- and we know that their passion will ensure that the Classic will
take place in the coming months."
"I
know that the Qatar Squash Federation will be no less disappointed
with this news than we are. We will be working with all parties with
immediate effect to find a date to run the 2006 Qatar Classic early
next year, followed later in the year by the 2007 event."
