Nicol David & Natalie Grainger Boost WISPA World Tour

Former world number one Natalie Grainger and reigning world champion Nicol David have shown that their expertise extends beyond the squash court - into the board room!

Each has recently concluded negotiations with a sponsor in her home country to stage a new women's event this year to add to the fast-growing WISPA World Tour.

Malaysian Nicol David, who collected eight major titles last year including the World Games, the Malaysian Open, the British Open and finally the World Open, has persuaded Hotel Equatorial Penang, part of the leading hotel group in Asia, to sponsor the Hotel Equatorial Penang Open.

The Silver WISPA event, from 31 July to 5 August, will be the first professional squash championship ever to be held in Penang, David's home town - and will immediately follow the country's prestigious CIMB Malaysian Open, in Kuala Lumpur.

Nicol David, who has just received a further honour in her home country by being named winner of the "Sportswriters Association of Malaysia 2005 Excellence Award", will be top seed in the new event at the Penang International Squash Centre.

"I am thrilled that Hotel Equatorial Penang, my personal sponsors, have given me the opportunity to welcome my fellow WISPA members to my home island," said David. "They will be in a wonderful hotel, will receive superb hospitality from Penang Squash and enjoy great food.

"It's going to be an exciting week in Penang with the girls around to create a boost for squash," added the world No2.

As a result of Grainger's efforts, the Women's Capitol Open will take place at the Union Station in Washington DC, the US number one's home town. Union Station, which when completed in 1908 was the largest terminus in the world, will stage the WISPA Silver event - featuring an all-glass court - from 23-26 August.

Andrew Shelley, Chief Executive of the Women's International Squash Players' Association, commented: "Nobody should be surprised that these players have made such a wonderful effort to help their own tour. WISPA members are not only committed to their own performance but to improve and expand the tour for their group and those that follow in years to come."