New Zealand To Host 2021 WSF
Men's World Team Championship
World team squash returns to
the North Island city of Tauranga after just four years when
New Zealand hosts the WSF Men's World Team Championship in
2021.
It was in 2017 that the
fifth largest city in New Zealand staged the Women's World Junior Team
Championship - and now the Devoy Squash & Fitness Centre
(pictured above during the 2017 championships) will welcome the world's
leading men for the Men's World Team Championship, 38 years after the
biennial World Squash Federation (WSF) championship was last held
in New Zealand, in Auckland, in 1983.
Subject to final
confirmation, the event will take place from 13-19 December 2021.
"I am thrilled that Tauranga
has been chosen to host the 2021 World Men's Team Championship,"
said the country's top male player Paul Coll, the world No.7.
"The
event has not been hosted in New Zealand since 1983, which means an
entire generation of New Zealanders have not had the opportunity to view
this level of squash at its best.
"Tauranga is an amazing
place to visit and is one of the best coastal destinations in the world
- I have no doubt the players will enjoy the opportunity to visit
Tauranga."
[Picture above shows the city's iconic landmark Mount Maunganui]
Wayne Werder,
the Chair of the Organising Committee, added:
"I have fond memories
of playing for NZ in this event and have always viewed it as an
important part of the international squash calendar. We are delighted to
see this event back in New Zealand and for Tauranga to be named as the
host of the 2021 World Championship.
"The World Junior
Championships in 2017 was very well received and showed Tauranga's
ability to deliver world events - we look forward to delivering another
world class event in 2021."
Reigning title-holders
Egypt are likely to be favourites for the 2019 championship this
December in Washington DC in the USA - while top contenders for the 2021
championship are sure to also include 1983 champions Pakistan and
former champions Australia and England, as well as recent
high finishers Hong Kong China and France.
Hosts New Zealand,
who finished in sixth place in the 2017 championship in France, will be
bidding to better runner-up berths on three occasions - in 1977, 1985
and 1987.
WSF CEO Andrew Shelley concluded:
"Our
World Team Championships are flagship events attracting a great array of
national teams, and as soon as they read this announcement the men will
be looking forward to a great Kiwi experience in 2021! Over the years,
New Zealand has proved itself as a great host nation and the combination
of great facilities, top notch management and hospitality will add to it
in two years' time."
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