Powerplaysports To Sponsor British Junior Open

Powerplaysports will sponsor the 2005 British Junior Open Championships, according to an announcement made today by England Squash.

Powerplaysports Ltd are a Manchester-based sports equipment supplier, specialising in high quality Squash, Tennis and Badminton rackets and accessories. The brand is proud to be associated with the British Junior Open 2005, an event that attracts junior players from all over the world.

Director Steve Cooper said: "As a company, we have a commitment to the future of squash, and currently sponsor the North West Counties, Lancashire and Yorkshire Squash leagues."

January's British Junior Open plays host to nearly 500 players from almost 30 countries - from as far a field as New Zealand, Japan, Mexico and St Vincent and the Grenadines.

Egypt has entered 54 players and look like being as strong as ever as they bid to improve on last year's haul of 4 titles. However they will be without World Junior Champion Omneya Abdel Kawy, who has now entered the senior ranks after holding the Girl's Under 19 title for an unprecedented four years. They are also without Ramy Ashour, the new Men's World Junior Champion who will miss out on the chance to add the coveted Drysdale Cup to his collection.

Pakistan have proved themselves to be a formidable force in junior men's squash again over recent seasons and will certainly challenge again for the honours in Sheffield after retaining their World Junior Team title earlier in the season. The Girl's Under 19 championship looks like being highly competitive with India's Joshna Chinappa and Belgium's European Champion Charlie de Rycke likely to head the seedings.

The English challenge is likely to be spearheaded by Chris Simpson (Hants) and James Wright (Leics) in the Drysdale Cup and six-times National Champion Rachel Willmott (Sussex) in the Girl's Under 17's. After her wonderful recent win in the British Under 17 Championships over Rachel Willmott, Yorkshire's Deon Saffery will also be hoping to challenge, as will fellow British U17 Champion Chris Tasker-Grindley, from Gloucestershire.

"Once again we can count on the fantastic support of the Sheffield Events Unit, Hallamshire SC and Abbeydale SC, without whom the event would not be possible," said Chris Nutley of England Squash. "Abbeydale's all glass show court proved to be a great setting for last season's finals and will once again play host on finals day."