Equal Pay On Show As World No 1s Lead Squash Back To Great Pyramid Of Giza, DRAWS by Nathan Clarke
photo squashpics.com
August 9, 2016
- The Great Pyramid of Giza - one of the seven wonders of the world -
will provide the backdrop to a five-day squash extravaganza this
September that will see Egyptian World No.1s Mohamed ElShorbagy and
Nour El Sherbini lead a star-studded field at the 2016 Al Ahram
International - the iconic tournament which returns to the PSA World
Tour calendar for the first time since 2006.
Taking place in an open-air court in front of the Pyramids from
September 19-23, the Al Ahram International will see players competing
for a share of the $200k prize fund which will be split evenly across
the Men's and Women's draws - the first time a major tournament in
Egypt has offered parity in prize money.
Having dominated the Men's Tour in 2015/16, claiming an unprecedented
six of seven World Series titles, ElShorbagy will be firm favourite to
claim the men's crown while fellow Alexandrian El Sherbini, the
20-year-old World Champion and British Open Champion, is odds-on to
deliver double home success.
ElShorbagy's main rivals will come in the form of compatriots Omar
Mosaad, the 2015 World Championship runner-up, three-time World
Champion Ramy Ashour and French danger-man Mathieu Castagnet while El
Sherbini will have to be at her best to hold off the challenge of
Malaysian eight-time World Champion Nicol David and former World No.1
Raneem El Welily.
"This September's tournament in front of the Great Pyramid of Giza is
certain to be one the most spectacular settings in world sport and we
are excited to be working with all partners to help ensure the
tournament is a success," said PSA CEO Alex Gough.
"Squash has an unmatched ability to showcase the most stunning
locations in the world and the strength and depth in the playing field
will lead to a truly spectacular exhibition of world class sport for
both spectators and television viewers."
A total of 56 players from 13 nations will travel to Giza for the
tournament, with qualification beginning on Saturday September 17 at
Cairo's Le Lido City View Clubhouse.
Al Ahram International - Men's First Round Draw
[1] Mohamed Elshorbagy (EGY) v Cameron Pilley (AUS)
[WC] Youssef Soliman (EGY) v [7] Simon Rösner (GER)
[8] Ramy Ashour (EGY) v [Qualifier]
Fares Dessouky (EGY) v [3] Mathieu Castagnet (FRA)
[4] Karim Abdel Gawad (EGY) v [Qualifier]
[Qualifier] v [6] Tarek Momen (EGY)
[5] Ali Farag (EGY) v Borja Golan (ESP)
[Qualifier] v [2] Omar Mosaad (EGY)
Al Ahram International - Women's First Round Draw
[1] Nour El Sherbini (EGY) v [Qualifier]
[Qualifier] v [6] Omneya Abdel Kawy (EGY)
[8] Alison Waters (ENG) v Victoria Lust (ENG)
[WC] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) v [4] Nouran Gohar (EGY)
[3] Raneem El Welily (EGY) v Joshna Chinappa (IND)
[Qualifier] v [7] Amanda Sobhy (USA)
[5] Camille Serme (FRA) v Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG)
[Qualifier] v [2] Nicol David (MAS)
