PSA Sanctions New International 100 Event Tier by Nathan Clarke
September 9, 2014
- The Professional Squash Association (PSA) have sanctioned the
licensing of a brand new tournament tier, PSA International 100, which
will come into effect immediately from September 2014.
Sitting immediately
below the coveted PSA World Series, PSA International 100 events will
be the second most lucrative tournaments on the PSA World Tour,
offering a total prize money fund of $100,000, and are certain to
attract some of the biggest names in world squash to contest their
titles.
With the recent
amalgamation of World Series Gold and World Series Platinum events to
create a unified PSA World Series event standard, International 100
tournaments will bridge the gap between the elite circuit and the
existing International standard tournaments, which are currently capped
at International 70 level.
"Following the recent
announcement regarding the re-structuring of the PSA World Series we
are pleased to be able to create this brand new tournament level which
we feel will help to increase the competitiveness the PSA World Tour,"
said PSA Chief Executive Alex Gough.
"International 100
events, especially when staged as a 16-man draw, are certain to become
some of the most lucrative on the tour and no doubt some of the most
hotly contested titles around with further potential to create more
movement at the top of the World Rankings.
"We have already begun
to receive enquiries from promoters interested in staging International
100 tournaments and we look forward to continuing to strengthen the
world tour in every possible facet."
Staged as either a 16
or 32-man draws, up to 1750 ranking points will be on offer for
winners, equivalent to finishing as runner-up in a World Series event,
while up to $17,500 will be on offer for the trophy winner.