WSA Strike Three-Year World Championship Deal With Hallmark Events Group by Howard Harding 6 August 2014
- The Women's Squash Association (WSA) has finalised a major long-term
agreement with Hallmark Events Group to stage the Women's World Squash
Championships in 2014, 2015 and 2016 - and guarantee a total prize-fund
in excess of US$ 500,000.
The 2014 championship
will be staged from December 12-19 (venue to be confirmed) and will be
held as the last event of the year on the WSA World Tour in 2015 and
2016 as well.
Total player
compensation will rise from US$ 150,000 in 2014, to US$ 175,000 in
2015, before reaching a record US$ 215,000 in 2016.
"We are delighted to
have secured the Women's World Championships for the next three years,"
said WSA President Kasey Brown. "The increase in prize money levels is
not only fantastic news for the players, but also a prime example of
the growth the WSA World Tour is experiencing.
"We are excited to
collaborate with Hallmark and work together to showcase the finest
women's squash has to offer at our premier event."
Hallmark Events Group
Founder and Managing Director Simon Arnold stated that Hallmark is
equally thrilled to reach a long-term arrangement with the WSA in
conjunction with the World Squash Federation (WSF). "We're looking
forward to working with the WSA to continue to grow the Women's World
Championship as the pinnacle event on the WSA World Tour.
"Our plans for the championship include iconic venues, new sponsors and greater fan engagement."
England's reigning
world champion Laura Massaro will be looking to defend her title in
December, while Malaysia's world No1 Nicol David will also be eager to
extend her seven-title record.
The venue for the 2014 championship, which uses dates for the now re-scheduled WSF World Cup, will be announced shortly.
