WISPA Mines Bahrain Gold

The Kingdom of Bahrain becomes another top international squash host with the announcement that the Bahrain WISPA Classic will be staged there from 11-16 September this year.

It will be the fifth Women's International Squash Players' Association Gold event to be played so far in 2004, and will feature all the top women players battling for the $47,000 prize fund.

The new event, hosted by the Bahrain Badminton & Squash Federation, will be used to enthuse local public, as well as being part of WISPA's international Grand Prix TV programming, sponsored by Qatar Airways.

Championship Director Suhail Ismail pointed out the benefits: "We have a young but thriving squash community here, and the opportunity for them to see the best players in the world is one that will delight them. Additionally, the national TV coverage that we are arranging will be very beneficial in the efforts of our General Organisation for Youth & Sport, who together with the Squash Federation are keen to promote squash strongly here."

WISPA Executive Director Andrew Shelley is delighted that discussions with Bahrain have led to the event being finalised: "This is a really stimulating new partnership that has developed over recent months and we heartily welcome the initiative of the Bahrain Federation to bring women's international squash to their country. We know that our WISPA stars will provide a great squash show and integrate with the local players."