Global sports brand adidas has become the Official Sportswear Partner to the Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Tour. The two-year agreement, which starts in January 2012, will see adidas provide clothing to all PSA staff and officials at each of the PSA World Series events - the top tier events of the PSA World Tour.
The deal comes as the PSA starts to implement its World Tour Partner Programme that looks to exploit the rapid expansion in the global broadcast coverage of squash in the past 18 months.
The deal comes as the PSA starts to implement its World Tour Partner Programme that looks to exploit the rapid expansion in the global broadcast coverage of squash in the past 18 months.
Alex Gough, Chief Executive of the PSA, commented: "I am delighted that we have entered into a partnership with adidas. Both the PSA and adidas have the very highest ambitions for the sport of squash and clear visions for the future of our sport.
"Squash is in an exciting phase of commercial development and we are looking to attract Tour partners across a range of categories - having adidas come on board is a real boost for the Tour."
Category: "associations"
adidas becomes official sportswear partner of the PSA World Tour!
January 17, 2012 • Tags: adidas, PSA, World Series • Categories: all posts, associations, tournaments
WSF World Junior Circuit Rankings 2012!
January 12, 2012 • Tags: Marwan El Shorbagy, Nour El Sherbini, World Junior Rankings, WSF • Categories: all posts, associations, players
Whilst Egyptian Marwan El Shorbagy (pic le) retains his men's number one ranking, England's Emily Whitlock makes her debut at the top of the women's list in the new January WSF World Junior Rankings. El Shorbagy, aged 18 and from Alexandria, is the reigning World Junior and British Junior Open Champion.
India's 17-year-old Mahesh Mangaonkar move up to second place - pushing Egypt's Mohamed Abouelghar, runner-up to El Shorbagy in Belgium, down to No3. Dutchman Tom de Mulder bursts into the rankings for the 1st time at No4 and Mexican Mario Yanez also makes his first appearance in the list at No5.
Emily Whitlock, the 17-year-old British national junior champion, is rewarded for her focus and success on the world junior circuit by taking over the top spot - succeeding Egypt's world junior champion Nour El Tayeb. And India's Anaka Alankamony also moved up in the list to take over 2nd place. American Maria Elena Ubina, 16-year-old winner of the US Junior Open, leaps up to fifth place, below Egyptians Nour El Tayeb and Nour El Sherbini, at 3 and 4, respectively.
The WSF World Junior Circuit Rankings - which are based on the under 19 age grouping and were launched last October - will be issued quarterly, based on results achieved in national junior opens, regional championships and WSF World Junior Individual Championships. In the coming months, as players compete in more events (there are sixteen already on the circuit in the first half of the year), players will have more results with which to find a level.
Men's top 10:
1 (1) Marwan El Shorbagy (Egypt) 66.67
2 (3) Mahesh Mangaonkar (India) 55.00
3 (2) Mohamed Abouelghar (Egypt) 46.67
4 (-) Tom de Mulder (Belgium) 44.33
5 (-) Mario Yanez (Mexico) 41.67
6 (-) Ahmed Abdel Khalek (Egypt) 41.67
7 (11) Declan James (England) 38.33
8 (7) Tatu Knuutila (Finland) 34.33
9 (15) Tom Ford (England) 34.33
10 (20) Tyler Osborne (Canada) 32.67
Women's top 10:
1 (5=) Emily Whitlock (England) 76.67
2 (4) Anaka Alankamony (India) 73.33
3 (1) Nour El Tayeb (Egypt) 66.67
4 (2) Nour El Sherbini (Egypt) 46.67
5 (29) Maria Elena Ubina (USA) 45.00
6 (3) Lee Ka Yi (Hong Kong China) 42.67
7 (29) Caroline Sayegh (Germany) 32.67
8 (12) Aparajitha Balamurukan (India) 29.33
9 (-) Julia Lecoq (France) 29.33
10 (5=) Amanda Sobhy (USA) 26.67
India's 17-year-old Mahesh Mangaonkar move up to second place - pushing Egypt's Mohamed Abouelghar, runner-up to El Shorbagy in Belgium, down to No3. Dutchman Tom de Mulder bursts into the rankings for the 1st time at No4 and Mexican Mario Yanez also makes his first appearance in the list at No5.
Emily Whitlock, the 17-year-old British national junior champion, is rewarded for her focus and success on the world junior circuit by taking over the top spot - succeeding Egypt's world junior champion Nour El Tayeb. And India's Anaka Alankamony also moved up in the list to take over 2nd place. American Maria Elena Ubina, 16-year-old winner of the US Junior Open, leaps up to fifth place, below Egyptians Nour El Tayeb and Nour El Sherbini, at 3 and 4, respectively.
The WSF World Junior Circuit Rankings - which are based on the under 19 age grouping and were launched last October - will be issued quarterly, based on results achieved in national junior opens, regional championships and WSF World Junior Individual Championships. In the coming months, as players compete in more events (there are sixteen already on the circuit in the first half of the year), players will have more results with which to find a level.
Men's top 10:
1 (1) Marwan El Shorbagy (Egypt) 66.67
2 (3) Mahesh Mangaonkar (India) 55.00
3 (2) Mohamed Abouelghar (Egypt) 46.67
4 (-) Tom de Mulder (Belgium) 44.33
5 (-) Mario Yanez (Mexico) 41.67
6 (-) Ahmed Abdel Khalek (Egypt) 41.67
7 (11) Declan James (England) 38.33
8 (7) Tatu Knuutila (Finland) 34.33
9 (15) Tom Ford (England) 34.33
10 (20) Tyler Osborne (Canada) 32.67
Women's top 10:
1 (5=) Emily Whitlock (England) 76.67
2 (4) Anaka Alankamony (India) 73.33
3 (1) Nour El Tayeb (Egypt) 66.67
4 (2) Nour El Sherbini (Egypt) 46.67
5 (29) Maria Elena Ubina (USA) 45.00
6 (3) Lee Ka Yi (Hong Kong China) 42.67
7 (29) Caroline Sayegh (Germany) 32.67
8 (12) Aparajitha Balamurukan (India) 29.33
9 (-) Julia Lecoq (France) 29.33
10 (5=) Amanda Sobhy (USA) 26.67
PSA secures Sky Sports live at Queen’s!
January 6, 2012 • Tags: Alex Gough, Natalie Pinkham, PSA, PSA TV, Sky Sports, Tony Wrighton, World Series, World Series Finals, Ziad Al Turki • Categories: all posts, associations, tournaments
Live coverage of the semi-finals and finals from the ATCO PSA World Series Finals on Sky TV is the latest breakthrough for SquashTV, the Professional Squash Association's dedicated online and TV operation. The Sky programme will be hosted by Sky Sports presenter Tony Wrighton and the MC for the event is Natalie Pinkham (pic right, together with World No1 James Willstrop), known for her role in the channel's Formula 1 coverage.
PSA CEO Alex Gough said: "We have been talking to Sky Sports for a few years about live coverage and we are delighted that they have now allowed us to broadcast our flagship event. The SquashTV team that we have built up over the last two years is now able to showcase the World Series Finals in full HD and will also produce a full Sky Sports Studio presentation.”
In addition to the Sky Sports feed, SquashTV is producing coverage for a separate world feed throughout the event on www.psasquashtv.com
"In our bid to enter the Olympics in 2020, this full HD show, with both men's and women's finals, is another milestone in an ambition that we feel is drawing ever closer. Furthermore, we will also be using an 'Extreme Super SloMo' in this coverage to highlight the incredible athleticism and finesse of our great athletes. It is going to be spectacular", Gough added.
Saudi businessman Ziad Al-Turki, Chairman of the PSA, has been the driving force behind many of the sport's initiatives since becoming involved in 2005. Vice-president of ATCO, the industrial conglomerate owned by his father which sponsors the unique PSA Tour event in London, Al-Turki will be at Queen's Club this week to oversee the best eight men and women compete for their end-of-year titles.
"We didn't really start with anything," said Al-Turki. "We had to work hard to change people's minds about squash but we now have the tools in place to succeed. Sky covering it is a step of approval, too."
Since its formation in January 2010, SquashTV has covered over 20 major events and has over 50,000 unique visitors a month, in addition to distribution to 20 broadcasters worldwide, with a potential reach of 340 million viewers.
Sky Sports 2 transmission details:
Saturday: 14.00-17.30
Sunday: 14.00- 17.00
PSA CEO Alex Gough said: "We have been talking to Sky Sports for a few years about live coverage and we are delighted that they have now allowed us to broadcast our flagship event. The SquashTV team that we have built up over the last two years is now able to showcase the World Series Finals in full HD and will also produce a full Sky Sports Studio presentation.”
In addition to the Sky Sports feed, SquashTV is producing coverage for a separate world feed throughout the event on www.psasquashtv.com
"In our bid to enter the Olympics in 2020, this full HD show, with both men's and women's finals, is another milestone in an ambition that we feel is drawing ever closer. Furthermore, we will also be using an 'Extreme Super SloMo' in this coverage to highlight the incredible athleticism and finesse of our great athletes. It is going to be spectacular", Gough added.
Saudi businessman Ziad Al-Turki, Chairman of the PSA, has been the driving force behind many of the sport's initiatives since becoming involved in 2005. Vice-president of ATCO, the industrial conglomerate owned by his father which sponsors the unique PSA Tour event in London, Al-Turki will be at Queen's Club this week to oversee the best eight men and women compete for their end-of-year titles.
"We didn't really start with anything," said Al-Turki. "We had to work hard to change people's minds about squash but we now have the tools in place to succeed. Sky covering it is a step of approval, too."
Since its formation in January 2010, SquashTV has covered over 20 major events and has over 50,000 unique visitors a month, in addition to distribution to 20 broadcasters worldwide, with a potential reach of 340 million viewers.
Sky Sports 2 transmission details:
Saturday: 14.00-17.30
Sunday: 14.00- 17.00
Massaro moves into Top 3 in December Rankings!
December 2, 2011 • Tags: Jenny Duncalf, Laura Massaro, Low Wee, Nicol David, WISPA, World Ranking • Categories: all posts, associations, players
Nicol David is on her 63rd consecutive month as world No1. The Malaysian left New Zealander Susan Devoy (58 month) far behind her in the all-over statistics. The world No2 position remains unchanged, as England's Jenny Duncalf (pic ri) established herself. Laura Massaro (pic le) has moved into the world’s top 3 for the 1st time. The Englishwoman started the year ranked at No10. Low Wee Wern records her highest ranking at No11.
December 2011 top 10 (inc. points average): 1 [1] Nicol David MAS 3,279; 2 [2] Jenny Duncalf ENG 1,934; 3 [4] Laura Massaro ENG 1,411; 4 [3] Madeline Perry IRL 1,409; 5 [6] Kasey Brown AUS 1,111; 6 [5] Rachael Grinham AUS 1,078; 7 [8] Raneem El Weleily EGY 1,022; 8 [7] Annie Au HKG 948; 9 [10] Natalie Grinham NED 920; 10 [9] Camille Serme FRA 877.
There were further career highs in the top 100:
Kanzy El Dafrawy up to no.29 after reaching the World Open last 16. That makes 6 Egyptians in the top 30. Gaby Huber makes her top 30 debut at no.30. She started the year outside the top 50.
Yathreb Adel up to no.32. The youngest player in the top 100 pushed Massaro in the World Open 1st round.
Melody Francis captured her 5th title of the year at the Mackay Open and moves to no.36, Siyoli Waters at no.38, Misaki Kobayashi up to no.39, Sina Wall up to no.41, Samantha Cornett up to no.44, Lauren Selby up to no.47, Olga Ertlova up to no.48, Ahn Eun Chan up to no.53, Lisa Aitken up to 55, Coline Aumard up to no.56, Amanda Landers-Murphy to 57, Salma Hany up to no.59, Tesni Evans up to no.65, Liu Tsz-Ling up to 68, Tamika Saxby up to 73, Kristen Lange up to no.82, Megan Craig up to no.84, Christine Nunn up to no.86 and Vanessa Pickard up to no.90.
Two Englishman at the top of the new World Rankings!
December 2, 2011 • Tags: Greg Gaultier, James Willstrop, Nick Matthew, PSA, World Ranking • Categories: all posts, associations, players
England boasts the top 2 squash players in the world for the 1st time since 2004 with the rise of James Willstrop (pic ri) to 2nd place in the December World Rankings. Fellow Nick Matthew (pic le) completes his first full year as No1. In the 1st PSA world rankings since December 2005 not to feature an Egyptian in the top 3, France's Gregory Gaultier leaps 2 places to No3. Egypt, however, takes the next 3 places in the ranking.
December 2011 top 10 (inc. points average): 1 [1] Nick Matthew ENG 1,716; 2 [3] James Willstrop ENG 1,392; 3 [5] Gregory Gaultier FRA 1,050; 4 [2] Ramy Ashour EGY 1,028; 5 [6] Karim Darwish EGY 980; 6 [4] Amr Shabana EGY 789; 7 [7] Peter Barker ENG 644; 8 [8] Mohamed El Shorbagy EGY 642; 9 [9] David Palmer AUS 514; 10 [13] Mohd Azlan Iskandar MAS 465.
2012 ATCO World Series Finals returns to Queen’s!
November 23, 2011 • Tags: England, London, PSA, WISPA, World Series, World Series Finals • Categories: all posts, associations, tournaments
The ATCO World Series Finals will return to The Queen's Club in London (4-8 January 2012). The flagship PSA event, which celebrates its 18th staging since 1993, will feature the top 8 players from the 2011 World Series standings in this year's 9 PSA World Series events (2 of which have yet to be completed).
But new for 2012 will be the simultaneous staging of the WISPA World Series Finals - featuring the top 8 women in the now-completed 2011 WISPA World Series, led by Malaysia's record 6-time world champion Nicol David. The women's event, launched in 1998, has not been staged since 2004. It will be run alongside the men's championship for the 1st time.
PSA launches innovative draw in Kuwait!
November 21, 2011 • Tags: Kuwait, Kuwait Cup, Kuwait Open, PSA • Categories: all posts, associations, tournaments
A brand new event format, reflecting the open draw style of English football's prestigious FA Cup, will be launched by the Professional Squash Association this week at the Kuwait PSA Cup which will feature the top 48 players in the world.
But the draw for the quarter-finals will be made (drawn randomly out of the hat) at a Gala Dinner in Kuwait once the line-up has been resolved - with the highest-ranked player drawing his opponent, then the remaining highest player is drawing next his opponnent, etc, until the quarters are confirmed. That means that No1 and No2 are able to meet in the quarters. What do you think about the new draw system?
Gaultier rises in PSA World Series standings!
October 24, 2011 • Tags: PSA, World Series, World Series Finals • Categories: all posts, associations, players, tournaments
Success in last week’s Qatar Classic in Doha has seen Greg Gaultier rise to 5th place in the latest 2011 Dunlop PSA World Series Standings. In his first major title success for more than two years, the Frenchman defeated England’s former champion James Willstrop in a 70-minute final of the 6th PSA World Series event of the year.
But, despite surprise early exits in Doha, England’s world No1 Nick Matthew and the 2nd-ranked Egyptian Ramy Ashour share the lead at the top of the standings, both with 375 points.
Egypt’s US Open champion Amr Shabana holds onto 3rd place, while Willstrop strengthens his grip on 4th place after reaching his first World Series final of the year.
Position/(Prev) Total
1/ 1 Ramy Ashour (EGY) 375
1/ 2 Nick Matthew (ENG) 375
3/ 3 Amr Shabana (EGY) 230
4/ 4 James Willstrop (ENG) 225
5/ 7 Gregory Gaultier (FRA) 190
6/ 5 Peter Barker (ENG) 150
7/ 6 David Palmer (AUS) 120
8/ 9 Karim Darwish (EGY) 115
9/ 8 Mohd Azlan Iskandar (MAS) 100
9/ 14 Stewart Boswell (AUS) 100
11/ 11 Tom Richards (ENG) 85
11/ 14 Nicolas Mueller (SUI) 85
13/ 12 Thierry Lincou (FRA) 80
14/ 9 Laurens Jan Anjema (NED) 75
15/ 22 Cameron Pilley (AUS) 70
16/ 17 Simon Rosner (GER) 65
16/ 12 Adrian Grant (ENG) 65
