Qatar Squash Federation (QSF) Secretary-General Tariq Zainal (left) shaking hands with the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Chief Executive Alex Gough during a press conference held in Doha yesterday. Pic: Ibrahim Kutty
Doha: Qatar will host the 2019-20 Men’s World Squash Championships, the Professional Squash Association (PSA) announced here yesterday
The 40th edition of the iconic championships, the most prestigious and lucrative tournament of the PSA Tour Calendar, will take place between October 31 - November 8, 2019 at the Khalifa International Tennis & Squash Complex and will make a return to Qatar for the fifth time.
In all, 64 players including the 56 highest ranked players and 8 wild card entrants will compete for the share of the $325,000 total cash prize up for grabs at the tournament.
Qatar had previously hosted the sport’s pinnacle tournament in 1998, 2004, 2012 and 2014, with the 2014 final between Egyptian duo Ramy Ashour and Mohamed El Shorbagy going down in history as one of the sport’s greatest ever matches.
“We are delighted to announce that the 2019/20 PSA Men’s World Championships will take place in Qatar next season and are looking forward to seeing the world’s greatest players return to the country for what promises to be an exciting week of action,” said PSA Chief Executive Alex Gough.
“Qatar is a major destination on the international squash scene and has hosted some incredible tournaments and matches down the years. There is also a promising crop of young Qatari players starting to make their mark on the PSA Tour, including Abdullah Al Tamimi, who is on the verge of making the world’s top 20.”
“The Qatar Squash Federation has taken the tournament to another level in terms of the presentation and production values of the event in recent years and we are looking forward to working with them over the coming months,” he added.
Meanwhile, India’s Sourav Ghoshal, who is taking part in the ongoing Qatar Classic 2018 was happy that Qatar will host another world championship.
“It’s great news. Qatar Classic is a very good example of how to hold platinum-level (PSA World Tour Platinum) events. They have done a fantastic job in the past and I think they have the capacity to do organise big events and I am sure they will do even better next November,” Ghosal said while talking to reporters yesterday.
“I have played here (Qatar) in a World Championship in the past and have enjoyed the hospitality and the organisation has been of the top order,” he added.
Qatar Squash Federation (QSF) Secretary-General Tariq Zainal said: “Hosting the PSA Men’s World Championships for the fifth time is another proof of Qatar’s commitment to the development of our sport. Over the years, Qatar has grown to be a global destination for top sporting events of which squash occupies a major place in the top hierarchy. We are happy and prepared to host once again a memorable event that promises to be the best ever.
“I’m sure all the players and participants are looking forward to the wonderful hospitality and superb organization of which Qatar is reputed for. We believe the championships will be another opportunity for squash fans, especially in the region, to enjoy watching their beloved players compete at the topmost level of the game.
“It will also provide an opportunity for upcoming stars to gain valuable experience which a tournament of such nature provides. We are delighted to host this tournament and we look forward to welcoming the world in 2019.” Tareq added.
The 2019/20 PSA Men’s World Championships will replace the Qatar Classic, PSA World Tour Platinum event on the PSA Tour calendar next season. The Qatar Classic will return to the calendar for the 2020/21 campaign.
