BBC TV Back At The Crucible - For Mamut English Open Squash!

The BBC TV cameras which have made the Crucible Theatre famous around the world as the venue for the World Snooker Championships will return to Sheffield this summer to cover the Mamut English Open, one of the biggest events on the sport's world circuit.

Hosted by Sheffield City Council - and now in its fourth year in the English city - the Mamut English Open will take place between 15-19 August. The championship has been upgraded to a five-star PSA Tour event and is expected to attract its strongest ever draw this year.

"We are delighted to be able to confirm that this year's event has secured BBC TV 'Grandstand' coverage for the first time," said Tournament Director Tim Garner.

"The BBC terrestrial coverage will enable us to be seen by well over a million viewers, which will raise the profile not only of the event and all those associated with it, but will also be a welcome boost for the sport," added the Eventis Sports Marketing Director. "The BBC coverage will be shown at 12noon on Sunday the 20th August."

Michael Cole, Deputy Editor Grandstand, also commented: "We're really pleased to be able to feature the English Open on Sunday Grandstand. After such a successful Commonwealth Games, it's great to be able showcase the medallists in a world class event held in Britain. The prestige of a venue like the Crucible can only add to the excitement."

With a $50,000 prize fund for the first time, Garner is confident that the majority of the world's top ten players will compete in the 2006 Mamut English Open.

England's Peter Nicol, who sensationally clinched two gold medals in this year's Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, will be back to defend the title he won at the Crucible last year. The former world No1 combines his playing career with that of co-organiser of the tournament with his Eventis business partners Tim Garner and Angus Kirkland.

"This is Pete's tournament and he loved winning it last year," said Garner. "But he's unlikely to be the only former world number one in the draw as we are also expecting his England team-mate Lee Beachill, as well as Scotsman John White and France's Thierry Lincou to be entering. We're also in talks with Egypt's current world number one Amr Shabana.

"But if Pete does win, it will mark the 50th PSA Tour title of his career - an incredible milestone that I'm sure he would love to achieve at the Crucible."

Tickets for the Mamut English Open are on sale from the Crucible box office via the ticket hotline 0114-249 6000, or via www.iSportTicketing.com (07973 544 719)

Official website: www.englishopensquash.com