World Class Squash Action Returns To Sheffield

The world's top squash players will once again be heading for the Crucible Theatre in Sheffield this summer for the Mamut English Open.

Staged by world number one Peter Nicol's company Eventis Sports Marketing Ltd, the Mamut English Open will be held at the traditional home of the World Snooker Championships, for the third successive year, from 17-21 August 2005.

The first major event of the 2005/6 season, the event is part of the PSA World Tour and is again expected to attract many of the top 16 players in the world.

"We are starting to see The Crucible become an established name in the world of squash. It is a magnificent setting for the sport and we are excited at the prospect of returning to its world renowned stage this August," said Nicol, who has dominated the world rankings for the past six years.

"All the feedback we had last year was extremely positive, so we are absolutely delighted to announce that Mamut are returning as title sponsor - and this will help us make it even better!"

This year's now established event is to be hosted by Sheffield City Council's Major Sports Events Unit, with Capita Symonds and the Hilton Sheffield back on board as sponsors.

Tim Garner, one of Nicol's business partners at Eventis Sports Marketing, explains: "Last year's event was a fantastic success and we now have a very good relationship with the city's Major Sports Event Unit and the other sponsors involved in the event. This will enable us to build on that success and to begin to establish the event as one of the sport's premier titles to be won.

"John White won the inaugural event and went on to claim the world No1 spot, albeit briefly, and last year's Champion Lee Beachill managed exactly the same feat - so it is clearly a good indicator of form!" added Garner, the Tournament Director.

Alan Moody, regional director of Mamut Software Ltd, added: "We are delighted to be involved in this year's Mamut English Open Squash Championship. Having seen the benefits from last year, we had no hesitation in signing up again and see the event as an integral part in building on what has been a very successful year in the UK market."

Sheffield itself is also embracing the event: "Sheffield is very pleased and excited to offer its support once more to the Mamut English Open Squash Championships at the world famous Crucible Theatre right in the heart of Sheffield City Centre in August 2005," commented Gary Clifton, Sheffield's Major Sports Events Manager.

"This event has brought the world's top squash players to the city and has become firmly established on the city's ever growing major sports events programme. We very much look forward to working with Eventis on what I know will be an event of the highest order."