15/03/2011
MIXED TEAM WORLD CUP 2011
WSF Hails World Cup Success In Chennai
 |
|
Official
website:
www.wsfworldcup.com
|
|
EGYPT WIN
WORLD CUP FINALS
EGYPT BT ENGLAND 2-0
click on images for larger view |
 |
(left)
England and Egypt teams line up before the final
(right) After her match, Nicol David shakes hand with distinguished
visitor The Honourable Tan Sri Muhyiddin HJ Mohd Yassin, Deputy Prime
Minister of Malaysia
click on images for larger view |
 |
|
Final:
[1]EGYPT 2 [2]ENGLAND 0
Ramy Ashour bt James Willstrop
11-8, 11-7, 11-7 (37m)
Raneem El Weleily bt Jenny Duncalf
11-8, 7-11, 11-9, 11-1
(39m)
Karim Darwish v Tom Richards
(dead rubber - match not played)
Bronze
medal play-off:
[3]AUSTRALIA 2 [5]MALAYSIA 1
Cameron Pilley bt Muhd Asyraf Azan
11-4, 11-5, 11-4 (31m)
Rachael Grinham lost to Nicol David
8-11, 3-11, 5-11 (25m)
Aaron Frankcomb bt Kamran Khan
11-6, 11-6, 11-3 (37m)
|
The Court at
Express Avenue Mall in Chennai
|
 WSF
Hails World Cup Success In Chennai
World
Squash Federation
President N Ramachandran has hailed the WSF World Cup
as "a tremendous success - one couldn't have wished for more."
The 2011
championship came to a sensational climax in India on Saturday, when
favourites Egypt toppled second seeds England in the final at
the at the Express Avenue Mall in Chennai.
The unique
mixed team JSW SDAT WSF World Cup, featuring two-man-one-woman
line-ups, was marking its first of three alternate years in Chennai, staged
in the largest shopping complex in southern India.
A
spectacular all-glass showcourt was erected in the central atrium of the
Express Avenue Mall, in which crowds on four floors were able to witness the
world-class action - which was filmed by ESPN for national and
international audiences.
"I am very
happy that my country has made such a significant investment in this
important WSF world championship," added Ramachandran. "India has a great
tradition for hosting major sporting events and I am delighted that our
World Cup is now part of this."
Egypt were
led by Ramy Ashour and Karim Darwish, ranked two and three in
the world - but it was the squad's lone woman Raneem El Weleily, the
world No12, who clinched victory with a first ever win over England's
women's world No2 Jenny Duncalf.
A jubilant
Ashour then hailed the triumph as something his country "really needed" in
view of the current unrest.
"After all
the troubles we have had in our country, the nation's pride is now getting
bigger. Everyone back home was desperate for us to win.
"It's
moments like this that make you feel proud to be Egyptian," said the
23-year-old former world champion and world number one. "We are very, very
proud of what we have achieved."
The win is
the latest success in Egypt's rapidly-growing status in world squash.
Following recent success in the Men's World Team Championship,
the Men's World Junior Individual Championship, and Men's &
Women's World Junior Team Championships, the World Cup is
the fifth major world title currently held by the nation.
The Bronze
medal play-off, between third seeds Australia and fifth seeds
Malaysia, prompted a visit to the Mall by the Deputy Prime Minister of
Malaysia, The Honourable Tan Sri Muhyiddin HJ Mohd Yassin. He and a
group of Malaysian dignitaries - including HE Dato' Tan Seng Sung,
the High Commissioner of Malaysia to India, and Mr Anuar Kasman,
Consul General of Malaysia in Chennai - witnessed the country's six-time
Sportswoman of the Year Nicol David, the long-time world number one,
force the tie into a third match decider.
Championship Director Major Maniam was delighted with the success of
the event: "After being involved with the first World Cup in Kuala
Lumpur in 1996 as coach and organiser, I got hooked on this event. I
sincerely feel that this is one of the best team events you can think of -
with men and women combined.
"The WSF
must aggressively pursue this so that more countries participate in future
events. I believe that the WSF should also consider the idea of a Junior
World Cup, which would perfectly complement the senior event.
"We are
most grateful to our title sponsors JSW Steel - and we must acknowledge the
excellent support we have received from the Tamil Nadu Government, the
Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) and the Squash Rackets
Federation of India. Together, we have been working tirelessly towards this
event for the last three months - which is why I am able to sit here now,
basking in the event's success.
"From the
time I first saw the Express Avenue Mall, I thought it would be ideal for
the event - and we were really impressed with the speed at which they said
'yes'! I must thank the Mall's Managing Director Mrs Kavita Singhania and
her staff for the fantastic support in helping to make the 2011 World Cup
so special."
In
conclusion, WSF CEO Andrew Shelley added: "World Cups are
synonymous with the very best. The top cricketers are playing theirs at the
moment, and the world stops for football's. Ours may not command quite the
same level of media attention as the other two, but we have an ingredient
they do not - mixed teams.
"It's a
great format which, following on from the success here in Chennai, will mean
that the next is even more eagerly awaited.
"There has
been a fine hosting job which has provided international TV of some
superlative squash. It has been a great week!"
|
Egypt
Celebrate World Cup Glory
Egypt
justified their billing as top seeds in the 2011 JSW SDAT WSF
World Cup by beating second seeds England in today's final of the
World Squash Federation mixed team championship to win the $50,000
top prize at the , India, for
the first time.
The event,
in its first of three years in Chennai, reached its climax on an all-glass
showcourt sited in the central atrium of the Express Avenue Mall, the
largest shopping complex in southern India in which crowds on four floors
were able to witness the world-class action.
First to
do battle in the eagerly-anticipated climax between two of the world's
greatest squash nations were Cairo-based Ramy Ashour and Englishman
James Willstrop, ranked two and four in the world, respectively.
The match
lived up to its expectations - with Ashour, a former world No1, extending
his career-long head-to-head record against Willstrop to 12/4, winning 11-8,
11-7, 11-7 in 37 minutes.
Despite
having to withdraw midway through her semi-final match yesterday with a
groin niggle, Jenny Duncalf was determined to justify her team
selection against Egypt's Raneem El Weleily. The world No2 dropped
the first game, but battled back to draw level against El Weleily as the
England camp hoped for a third string decider.
But as
Duncalf's injury began to take its toll, so the lower-ranked Egyptian
increased her determination to win - doing so in convincing fashion by an
11-8, 7-11, 11-9, 11-1 margin.
Ashour was
thrilled with the team's win: "It's moments like this that make you feel
proud to be Egyptian. We are very, very proud of what we have achieved.
"After all
the troubles we have had in our country, the nation's pride is now getting
bigger. Everyone back home was desperate for us to win - we really needed
this win.
The
illustrious 23-year-old agreed that he had been under pressure: "But
sometimes pressure is a positive thing. I wanted to use the pressure in a
positive way - I think the motivation I have, and the pressure, pushed me in
the right way.
"I thought
James played well - but I think I had a bit more of an edge."
Raneem
El Weleily,
the world No12 who followed her upset over Australia's world No3 Rachael
Grinham in the semi-finals by recording her first ever win over Duncalf,
was delighted with her World Cup run.
"I'm so
happy that we have all won," said the 22-year from Alexandria. "I didn't
want to leave it all to the men!"
El
Weleily's win denied team-mate Karim Darwish, the world No3, the need
to play. "I knew we would win the third match - but I thought I should win
too!"
Earlier,
third seeds Australia collected the bronze medal after beating Malaysia, the
fifth seeds, 2/1.
Supporting
the Malaysians was a distinguished VIP group led by the Deputy Prime
Minister of Malaysia, The Honourable Tan Sri Muhyiddin HJ Mohd Yassin,
and HE Dato' Tan Seng Sung, the High Commissioner of Malaysia to
India, with Mr Anuar Kasman, Consul General of Malaysia in Chennai.
Cameron
Pilley,
the world No14 who has led the three-player squad which has taken the
Aussies through the event, beat put the third seeds into the lead with a
commanding 11-4, 11-5, 11-4 win over the Malaysian top string Muhd Asyraf
Azan.
But the
biggest cheer of the day from the packed Mall crowd greeted Malaysia's world
number one Nicol David as she entered the court for her match against
long-time rival Rachael Grinham. It was the pair's 36th meeting since
2000 - but, much to the delight of the crowd, and the guests in the front
row of the VIP seats, David beat former world number one Grinham 8-11, 3-11,
5-11 to level the tie.
In a
convincing performance in the decider, Tasmania-born Aaron Frankcomb
beat Kamran Khan 11-6, 11-6, 11-3 to put Australia in the medals.
"It was an
excellent team performance," enthused Australian coach Byron Davis.
"Cameron gave us a good start and didn't give his opponent a chance, and
Rachael played well particularly after a series of tough matches through the
week.
"But the
performer of the day was Aaron, who came back from his tough battle with
Darwish yesterday to play extremely well under pressure. It was an
absolutely clinical performance. We're really happy - it's a prestigious
event and we're delighted with the bronze."
Championship Director Major Maniam was delighted with the success of
the event: "After being involved with the first World Cup in Kuala
Lumpur in 1996 as coach and organiser, I got hooked on this event. I
sincerely feel that this is one of the best team events you can think of -
with men and women combined.
"The WSF
must aggressively pursue this so that more countries participate in future
events. I believe that the WSF should also consider the idea of a Junior
World Cup, which would perfectly complement the senior event.
"We are
most grateful to our title sponsors JSW Steel - and we must acknowledge the
excellent support we have received from the Tamil Nadu Government, the
Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT) and the Squash Rackets
Federation of India. Together, we have been working tirelessly towards this
event for the last three months - which is why I am able to sit here now,
basking in the event's success.
"From the
time I first saw the Express Avenue Mall, I thought it would be ideal for
the event - and we were really impressed with the speed at which they said
'yes'! I must thank the Mall's Managing Director Mrs Kavita Singhania and
her staff for the fantastic support in helping to make the 2011 World Cup
so special."
World
Squash Federation President N Ramachandran was also pleased with the
outcome: "The 2011 World Cup here in Chennai has been a tremendous
success - one couldn't have wished for more. I am sure that further events
held at this venue will be even more successful.
"I am very
happy that my country has made such a significant investment in this
important WSF world championship. India has a great tradition for hosting
major sporting events and I am delighted that our World Cup is now
part of this."
In
conclusion, WSF CEO Andrew Shelley added: "World Cups are
synonymous with the very best. The top cricketers are playing theirs at the
moment, and the world stops for football's. Ours may not command quite the
same level of media attention as the other two, but we have an ingredient
they do not - mixed teams.
"It's a
great format which, following on from the success here in Chennai, will mean
that the next is even more eagerly awaited.
"There has
been a fine hosting job which has provided international TV of some
superlative squash. It has been a great week!"
Official
website:
www.wsfworldcup.com
|
|
|
Preview
Shopping
Mall Hosts Major Event For First Time In Indian Squash History
Official
website and results:
www.wsfworldcup.com
Chennai
will make its mark in squash history when the Indian city hosts the
Squash World Cup at the Indian Squash Academy and
Express Avenue, from 8-12 March.
After
previously hosting almost all the World Squash Federation (WSF) world
championships - including the Men's World Junior Championships
in 2002; the World Doubles in 2004 & 2007; Men's World Team
Championships in 2007, Women's World Junior & Men's World Junior
Individual Championships in 2009 - Chennai will now host the mixed team
event, the JSW SDAT WSF World Cup.
The 2011
WSF World Cup will be staged initially at the Indian Squash
Academy - leading to the final rounds being played on an ASB all-glass show
court erected at the Express Avenue Mall, the largest shopping
complex in southern India. This will be the first time in India that squash
will be played in a shopping mall.
The
world's leading squash players, led by Malaysia's world number one Nicol
David and Egypt's world No2 Ramy Ashour, will star in the 2011
championship.
"All these
are indeed a testimony of the faith WSF has in the organisational
capabilities of the Squash Rackets Federation of India and the Tamil Nadu
Squash Rackets Association," says WSF President Mr N Ramachandran.
The
Tamil Nadu government and SDAT are solely responsible for
ensuring this event is staged in Chennai for the next 5 years. This edition
of the competition will also see JSW Steel joining SDAT as the title
sponsors.
The
organisers are thankful to all its co-sponsors, namely Express Avenue
(official venue), TI Cycles of India, Karbonn Mobiles,
Olympia Infratech, DLF India, Malaysia Airlines (Official
Airlines), Courtyard by Marriott (official hospitality partner),
Dunlop (official ball), Harrow (official apparel), Hindu
(official media), Sports Mechanics (official online partner),
Chennai Live (official radio), Tourism Malaysia, Sportz Power
(official sports media), Sports-Locker, Bassam Apparel Studio,
ASB and Advent Sports Management.
There will
be video-on-demand facility available online provided by Sports Mechanics
for all matches played during the event and a delayed telecast on the sports
television channel ESPN Star Sports from 21-23 March 2011. Daily
results and stories can be obtained from the official tournament website -
www.wsfworldcup.com
The other
organisations that have given the event full support are the Ministry of
Youth Affairs and Sports, Sports Authority of India, Squash
Rackets Federation of India, Tamil Nadu Squash Rackets Association
and the Indian Squash Academy.
Egypt
has been named as top seeds in this two-man-one-woman team event. Their team
is led by the hugely-talented and flamboyant former world number one Ramy
Ashour and supported by another former world number one Karim Darwish.
Also in the Egyptian squad are former world junior champions Mohamed El
Shorbagy, Raneem El Weleily and 17-year-old Nour El Tayeb,
ranked 9, 12 and 21, respectively, in the world.
Seeded to
face the favourites in the final are England, whose strong squad
(even without world number one Nick Matthew, who withdrew due to
injury) features Jenny Duncalf, James Willstrop, Peter
Barker, Laura Massaro and Tom Richards, ranked 2, 4, 7, 8
and 29, respectively, in the world.
Third
seeds Australia will be relying on a three-player squad, featuring
world No14 Cameron Pilley, former world No1 Rachael Grinham
and Hobart-born Aaron Frankcomb, ranked 44 in the world.
New
national champion Camille Serme will lead fourth seeds France,
while five-time world champion Nicol David will spearhead the
fifth-seeded Malaysia attack.
Hosts
India will be led by six-time National Champion Saurav Ghosal,
ranked 24 in the world. Others in the team are Siddharth Suchde,
Harinder Pal Sandhu, Dipika Pallikal and Joshna Chinappa.
Action in
the JSW SDAT WSF World Cup will take place initially in two
pools, with the top two teams in each pool moving on to the semi-finals.
The pool
stage will be played at the Indian Squash Academy (ISA) from 8-10 March, and
at the Express Avenue from 10-12 March 2011.
"We are
taking the sport to the masses and I believe this will create a greater
awareness amongst the general public," said SRFI secretary general
Srivatsan Subramaniam. Mr Subramaniam also expresses his gratitude to
the SDAT and Tamil Nadu Government for their sponsorship and support, to JSW
Steel for becoming the title sponsors, and to all other co-sponsors who have
generously contributed to this gala event.
The pool
line-up (with seeding in brackets) is as follows:
Pool A: [1] EGYPT, [4] FRANCE, [5] MALAYSIA, [8] S.AFRICA, [9] SRI LANKA
Pool B: [2] ENGLAND, [3] AUSTRALIA, [6] INDIA, [7] MEXICO
The prize
money breakdown is as follows:
1st: US$50,000; 2nd: US$25,000; 3rd: US$15,000; 4th: US$10,000; Pool 3rd:
US$6,500 each; Pool 4th: US$4,000 each; Pool 5th: US$2,500
Official
website:
www.wsfworldcup.com
|
|
