WISPA introduced its Premiere Series of events with the twin aims of encouraging and providing extra support for new tournament promoters. Unrelated to prize fund, the new scheme recognises the opportunity to assist new events both in their execution and exploitation of local benefits.
With prize money secured by WISPA and hosting organised by the Chinese Squash Association (CSA), the $10,900 WISPA Hangzhou Open 2008 will be staged from 23-25 January at the city located in the Yangtze River delta, around 180km southwest of Shanghai.
The area is famed for its beautiful natural scenery - and an opportunity to experience it will be arranged for the participants. Matches will be played in the squash hall of the Hangzhou Gymnasium. "While strengthening our relationships with current promoters, it is also important for WISPA to take its Tour to new areas, hence focussing on this with our Premiere Series," explained WISPA Chief Executive Andrew Shelley.
"Sometimes, as here, we have been able to find the prize money, and in conjunction with CSA, together with Hong Kong Squash assistance, we are very excited by the opportunity to assist CSA efforts to develop interest in squash in China." The WISPA Premiere Series was launched with the Icelandair Group Classic in the Icelandic capital city of Reykjavik in September. This was followed by the Colombo Open in Lisbon, Portugal, in October and by the Iran Open in the north western Iranian city of Rasht in November.
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Issued by Howard Harding on behalf of WISPA Women’s International Squash Players' Association Tel: (+44) 1737-243333; Mobile: (+44) 7773-325130; Email: [email protected] WISPA: Tel: (+44) 20 7222 1667; Email: [email protected] WSQ 4219 19 November 2007 |