Hansi Lands World Games Break

German squash champion Hansi Seestaller is determined to make the most of a last-minute invitation to compete in the World Games, after the disappointment of being overlooked for the original place in the men's draw of the multi-sport event which is being staged in his home country.

Many of the top players in the world are aiming for gold in the men's and women's squash events in the World Games, which is being staged in the city of Duisburg under the patronage of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

3,500 athletes from 100 nations are taking part in the Games, competing at 27 venues in 40 sports. The squash action will be staged in Mülheim an der Ruhr, near Duisburg, beginning tomorrow.

Stefan Leifels, the German No1, was the host nation's original choice to participate in the event. The 32-year-old from Paderborn is drawn against top seed Thierry Lincou, the world No1 from France. However, after eighth seed Shahid Zaman was forced to withdraw from the event, Hansi Seestaller was offered the Pakistani's slot, where he will meet Austria's unseeded Andreas Fuchs.

"Andreas and I always have close games, and though he beat me in five games the last time we played, I think I have a real chance of getting through to the quarter-finals," said Seestaller, the 22-year-old who is ranked 160 in the world, 29 places below Fuchs.

"Though I live in Rosenheim, around 700 kilometres south of Mulheim, this is where I won the German title earlier this year - and it's one of my favourite venues!

"So after feeling quite disappointed about not being given the first German place in the World Games draw, I'm now delighted to have this chance - and a better draw!" explained the former German army soldier, now a coach in Munich.

Thursday evening's spectacular opening ceremony in the magnificent MSV-Arena stadium in Duisburg featured a huge parade of athletes from all participating countries. "Being involved in that was something really special, which I've never experienced before," said Seestaller. "It was a great chance to meet fellow countrymen competing in other sports."

Finishing touches were being put to the 15-court Sport-Treff-Punkt centre in Mulheim today in readiness for the opening first round women's matches at 1.00pm between Great Britain's No3 seed Linda Elriani and Mexico's Samantha Teran, and France's fifth seed Isabelle Stoehr and Germany's Katharina Witt.

Later in the day top men's seed Thierry Lincou takes on Stefan Leifels, and women's favourite Rachael Grinham, the world No1 from Australia, faces Italy's Sonia Pasteris.

"It should be a fantastic event - I'm really happy with the quality of the draws," said Technical Director Peter Kock.