MEN'S WORLD OPEN
RETURNS TO EGYPT
Following a competitive bidding process, the PSA has awarded the rights to
host and promote the Men's World Open Squash Championship to Egypt
Sponsored by the Al-Ahram Foundation and staged from 28 August to 6
September, the 2006 Al-Ahram Men's World Open will boast a world ranking
prize fund of $152,500 and bring elite squash back to the sport's most
spectacular setting on the all-glass court at the Giza Plateaux Cairo.
Not since September 2001 has the world enjoyed squash played alongside
Egypt's famous pyramids. The 2001 Al-Ahram International brought to an end a
memorable six-year run of PSA Super Series events staged at Giza, including
a World Open in 1999 when Britain's Peter Nicol beat local hero Ahmed Barada
in a final watched by an audience of more than 5,000 and shown live on
national TV!
The 2006 World Open will now give Egypt's latest star Amr Shabana - who
became the country's first ever world champion in 2003, then reclaimed his
title late last year a unique chance to defend his crown before local
fans.
Gawain Briars, Chief Executive of the
PSA, stated: This is a remarkable return of the World Open to Cairo. Every
time I talk to fans of professional squash around the world, they always
remind me of the incredible images of the Giza Plateaux and the pyramids
and now Im delighted to confirm that the PSA Men's World Open is returning
again to that iconic venue. Many of our new stars have never enjoyed the
experience, and this will be a World Open they will savour for its most
special history and atmosphere.
"PSA congratulates the Al-Ahram Foundation on their successful bid to host
the World Open 2006. The Al-Ahram Foundation is one of the lasting and most
generous sponsors of big time events on the world circuit, and they have
once again demonstrated their support and commitment to our game. PSA looks
forward to returning to Cairo to enjoy the famous hospitality and support of
our long-standing friends in Egypt."
The 2006 World Open in Cairo will be followed by the World Open in Bermuda
in 2007, and the 2008 World Open in Manchester, England.
"From a structural perspective, I am particularly delighted that the World
Open is now confirmed and secured for the next three years which reflects
the growing optimism and enthusiasm in support of the professional
divisions," added Briars.
"The World Open is the biggest and most prestigious event in the
professional calendar this is the tournament all the players want to win.
In particular, the world number one and current title holder, Amr Shabana,
will be as motivated as possible to re-lift his title in front of the home
crowd.
Tournament Director Abdel Monem El Sawy
added: On behalf of the Al-Ahram Foundation and Egyptian Squash, I am
pleased that we have secured the rights to host and promote the PSA Men's
World Open 2006.
"Having successfully promoted this event and the Al Ahram International
tournaments previously, it is particularly satisfying to us that the biggest
event in world squash is returning once again to the Giza Plateaux Cairo.
"No other event has the international prestige and prize fund of the World
Open, so Egypt - which has now such a strong and still increasing reputation
in squash - is proud to host the event. We look forward to welcoming back to
our country in August all our friends in squash for what will be the most
memorable tournament for many years.
Christian Leighton, Chief Executive of
the World Squash Federation (WSF) also responded to the news: "WSF is
delighted that the Men's World Open is returning to Africa. Egypt has been
leading the way for the continent and this event will create development
opportunities for the sport in other African nations.
"With this event now confirmed, all World Championships up to 2008 have now
been awarded," added the WSF chief. "This is a testament to the health of
the sport, the leadership of our Member Nations and the collaboration
between the governing bodies at all levels.
World Open Entry
| Seed |
Name |
Ctry |
Rank |
| 1 |
Amr Shabana |
EGY |
(1) |
| 2 |
David Palmer |
AUS |
(2) |
| 3 |
Thierry Lincou |
FRA |
(3) |
| 4 |
James Willstrop |
ENG |
(4) |
| 5 |
Anthony Ricketts |
AUS |
(5) |
| 6 |
Peter Nicol |
ENG |
(6) |
| 7 |
Nick Matthew |
ENG |
(7) |
| 8 |
Gregory Gaultier |
FRA |
(8) |
| 9 |
Karim Darwish |
EGY |
(9) |
| 10 |
Lee Beachill |
ENG |
(10) |
| 11 |
John White |
SCO |
(11) |
| 12 |
Mohd Azlan Iskandar |
MAS |
(12) |
| 13 |
Ong Beng Hee |
MAS |
(13) |
| 14 |
Olli Tuominen |
FIN |
(14) |
| 15 |
Stewart Boswell |
AUS |
(15) |
| 16 |
Adrian Grant |
ENG |
(16) |
| 17 |
Mohammed Abbas |
EGY |
(17) |
| 18 |
Alex Gough |
WAL |
(18) |
| 19 |
Graham Ryding |
CAN |
(19) |
| 20 |
Wael El Hindi |
EGY |
(20) |
| 21 |
Ramy Ashour |
EGY |
(21) |
| 22 |
Shahier Razik |
CAN |
(22) |
| 23 |
Cameron Pilley |
AUS |
(23) |
| 24 |
Peter Barker |
ENG |
(24) |
| 25 |
Jonathan Kemp |
ENG |
(25) |
| 26 |
Borja Golan |
ESP |
(26) |
| 27 |
Laurens Jan Anjema |
NED |
(27) |
| 28 |
Mansoor Zaman |
PAK |
(28) |
| 29 |
Joey Barrington |
ENG |
(29) |
| 30 |
Shahid Zaman |
PAK |
(30) |
| 31 |
Davide Bianchetti |
ITA |
(31) |
| 32 |
Joseph Kneipp |
AUS |
(32) |
| 33 |
Renan Lavigne |
FRA |
(33) |
| 34 |
Hisham Mohd Ashour |
EGY |
(34) |
| 35 |
Dan Jenson |
AUS |
(35) |
| 36 |
Mark Chaloner |
ENG |
(36) |
| 37 |
Simon Parke |
ENG |
(37) |
| 38 |
Matthew Giuffre |
CAN |
(38) |
| 39 |
Liam Kenny |
IRL |
(39) |
| 40 |
Rafael F. Alarcon |
BRA |
(41) |
| 41 |
Ritwik Bhattacharya |
IND |
(43) |
| 42 |
Daryl Selby |
ENG |
(46) |
| 43 |
Alister Walker |
ENG |
(47) |
| 44 |
Amr Mansi |
EGY |
(49) |
| 45 |
Raj Nanda |
AUS |
(51) |
| 46 |
Stacey Ross |
ENG |
(52) |
| 47 |
Dylan Bennett |
NED |
(53) |
| 48 |
Shawn Delierre |
CAN |
(54) |
| 49 |
Scott Handley |
ENG |
(55) |
| 50 |
Miguel Angel Rodriguez |
COL |
(56) |
| 51 |
Alex Stait |
ENG |
(57) |
| 52 |
Saurav Ghosal |
IND |
(59) |
| 53 |
Aamir Atlas Khan |
PAK |
(61) |
| 54 |
Lee Drew |
ENG |
(64) |
| 55 |
Bradley Hindle |
AUS |
(71) |
| 56 |
Jesse Engelbrecht |
ZIM |
(72) |
| 57 |
Omar Abdel Aziz |
EGY |
(74) |
| 58 |
Tom Richards |
ENG |
(75) |
| 59 |
Omar Mosaad |
EGY |
(76) |
| 60 |
Sherif Moustafa Kamel |
EGY |
(77) |
| 61 |
Badr Abdel Aziz |
SWE |
(78) |
| 62 |
Simon Rosner |
GER |
(81) |
| 63 |
Aaron Frankcomb |
AUS |
(85) |
| 64 |
Paul Davis |
AUS |
(86) |
| 65 |
Christopher Gordon |
USA |
(87) |
| 66 |
Yasir Butt |
PAK |
(88) |
| 67 |
Luca Mastrostefano |
ITA |
(94) |
| 68 |
Ian Power |
CAN |
(100) |
| 69 |
Tarek Momen |
EGY |
(101) |
| 70 |
Ahmed Maged Hamza |
EGY |
(106) |
| 71 |
Mohd. Ali Anwar Reda |
EGY |
(113) |
| 72 |
Ahmed Mohsen Hassaan |
EGY |
(115) |
| 73 |
Yasser El Halaby |
EGY |
(118) |
| 74 |
Amr Ramzy Swelim |
EGY |
(122) |
| 75 |
Jago Nardelli |
ENG |
(125) |
| 76 |
Andre Holderegger |
SUI |
(133) |
| 77 |
Darren Lewis |
ENG |
(137) |
| 78 |
Fabian Kalaitzis |
GRE |
(140) |
| 79 |
Mohamed Elkeiy |
EGY |
(146) |
| 80 |
Farhan Mehboob |
PAK |
(150) |
| 81 |
Duncan Walsh |
ENG |
(150) |
| 82 |
Ahmed Gamal Swaify |
EGY |
(153) |
| 83 |
Romain Tenant |
FRA |
(154) |
| 84 |
Petros Tzamaloukas |
GRE |
(159) |
| 85 |
Omar Abdel Meguid |
EGY |
(170) |
| 86 |
Graeme Wilson |
NZL |
(177) |
| 87 |
Rodrigo Pezzota |
ARG |
(191) |
| 88 |
Omar Elborolossy |
EGY |
(246) |
| 89 |
Yasin Amjad |
PAK |
(280) |
| 90 |
Mohamed El Shorbagy |
EGY |
(307) |
| 91 |
Karim A.g.a. Samy |
EGY |
(307) |
| 92 |
Omar Tarek Mahm Aly |
EGY |
(307) |
| 93 |
Gbenga Adeyi |
NGR |
(307) |
Schedule Of Play
Qualification:
30th August 1st round National Stadium
31st
August 2nd round National Stadium
Main Draw:
1st September 1st round National Stadium
2nd
September 2nd round National Stadium
3rd
September Qtr finals (split) Portable Court Pyramids
4th
September Qtr finals (split) Portable Court Pyramids
5th
September Semi-finals Portable Court Pyramids
6th
September Final Portable Court Pyramids
|
|
 |
| Nicol's last stand. Can Peter
Nicol, who won the World Open in front of the Pyramids in 1999,
challenge World Champion Amr Shabana for the 2006 title? |
 |
| Jonathon Power's absence from
the first World Open in ten years will be sorely felt. |
 |
| Lee Beachill withdrew from the
English Open. Will he be able to mount a serious challenge in Cairo? |
|
