WSA Hails New British Open Agreement by Howard Harding 10 February 2015 -
The Women's Squash Association is hailing the 'wonderful commitment' by
Dr Assem Allam to extend the sponsorship of the prestigious British
Open in Hull for a further three years, including the goal to provide
prize-money parity by 2017.
The Allam British Open Squash Championships are set to return to the
Yorkshire city for a further three years after Dr Allam signed an
agreement with England Squash & Racketball to continue as title
sponsor of the most prestigious tournament in squash.
The three-year agreement will keep the event named 'a national
treasure' in Hull until 2017, the year the city will take the spotlight
as the UK City of Culture.
The deal will also guarantee equal prize money for the women's event by
2017. Dr Allam, who has raised prize money for the women's event
year-on-year since 2012, promises to match the total women's prize fund
with the men's.
Often referred to as the 'Wimbledon of Squash', the Allam British Open
will be held at the Airco Arena in Hull between 11-17 May 2015 and will
attract the world's best squash players including England stars Nick
Matthew, the three-time world champion from Sheffield, and WSA board
member Laura Massaro, winner of both the World Championship and British
Open in 2013.
"I am very happy to support the Allam British Open for a further three
years," said Dr Allam at the signing. "This event is truly a 'national
treasure' and it is fantastic that this three-year deal will take us to
2017 when Hull will take the spotlight as the UK City of Culture."
WSA CEO Tommy Berden added: "With a rich history going back to 1922,
the British Open has always had a special place on the WSA World Tour
and now we are delighted that its future is assured for the next three
years thanks to this wonderful commitment by Dr Allam.
"It is especially rewarding that Dr Allam's vision includes prize-money
parity and we look forward to working with his team to fulfil his dream
of establishing this 'national treasure' in Hull."
Massaro, who joined Dr Allam at the signing (and is pictured during a
TV interview after the launch), said: "I'm always happy to come back to
Hull. I had a great win here in 2013 and will be hoping to repeat that
this year. I am also pleased that with Dr. Allam's support this
important tournament will achieve equal prize money for men and women
by 2017, a step that will hopefully encourage tournaments across the
world to do the same."
