World's Top Players on Board for Bear Stearns Tournament of Champions

The world's top squash players have all got their tickets to ride into Grand Central Terminal from February 24 to March 2 to compete in the Bear Stearns Tournament of Champions, one of the most prestigious events on the international PSA Tour.

World No1 Amr Shabana of Egypt will return to New York to defend his title and will be joined in the 32-player draw by virtually all the world's top players.

"On its tenth anniversary in Grand Central Terminal, the Bear Stearns Tournament of Champions continues to be one of the most significant events on the professional world squash tour," said Tournament Director John Nimick. "Since the tournament's launch in this iconic venue in 1995 more than 1,000,000 visitors have watched squash at its best. I am delighted that, once again in 2007, virtually all the world's top squash players are returning to carry on ToC's rich and prestigious legacy."

Among the top players joining the defending champion in pursuit of the prized Tournament of Champions title will be reigning World Open champion David Palmer, the world No2 from Australia, and former world No1 Thierry Lincou, a two-time ToC finalist. Rounding out the top four is teen sensation and two-times World Junior Champion Ramy Ashour of Egypt - the 19-year-old who has rocketed from 38 to 5 in the world rankings in the past twelve months. Christopher Gordon of the US is in the main draw for the first time as a wildcard entry.

Grand Central's only annual sports championship, the 2007 Bear Stearns Tournament of Champions, will take place on the portable, see-through squash court. The Vanderbilt Hall set-up contains a state-of-the-art portable glass squash court, gallery seating for 500, and free viewing for the public. A PSA Super Series event, the Bear Stearns Tournament of Champions features a 32-player main draw and a 32-player qualification tournament.

Tournament week will also feature the country's top amateur players competing in the US Skill Level Championships from February 22-25. Other activities during tournament week include the inaugural SuperSTARS Lunch Benefit on 28 February in support of PowerPlay NYC, Inc., a non-profit providing fundamental sports and life skills training for girls in underserved communities in New York City. The Tournament also highlights the accomplishments of StreetSquash and CitySquash, two New York-based, youth-orientated after-school programmes which blend squash, academics, community service and mentoring.

In addition to title sponsor Bear Stearns, event sponsors include Dunlop, New York Sports Clubs, Executive Fliteways and the Columbia Center for Shoulder Surgery. The championships are also supported by AdWeek, Grand Hyatt New York and the Campbell Apartment.

Welshman Alex Gough will be making his 11th successive appearance in the event since his Tournament of Champions debut in 1995 - when he was beaten in the first round by Australia's defending champion Rodney Eyles. The 36-year-old world No23, who is the No12 seed, will face Brazilian event debutant Rafael F Alarcon in the first round.