World Class Field to be Featured at Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Squash Open 2008

Once again, fans will be treated with world class squash when the annual “Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Squash Open 2008” takes place at the world’s most vibrant city in November.

Presented by Hong Kong Squash with the full support of Cathay Pacific, the sporting extravaganza will be held from November 17 to 23 at the Hong Kong Squash Centre in Central and the Hong Kong Cultural Centre Piazza in Tsim Sha Tsui.

With a winning purse of HK$1.6 million at stake, the world’s top 30 players will certainly be ready to compete for the prestigious men and women’s titles. Current world no. 1 and last year’s champion, Egypt’s Amr Shabana, world no. 2 and last year’s runner-up French Gregory Gaultier, new world champion Egypt’s Ramy Ashour and Asian Games gold medalist, Malaysia’s Ong Beng Hee have confirmed their participation in the men's event.

While the women players including current world no. 1 and 3-time world champion Malayia's Nicol David, world no. 2 & 3 Aussie's sisters Natalie and Rachael Grinham also confirmed their participation to this world “Platinum Series” event.

To showcase the beautiful view of the Victoria Harbour, the tournament will be staged at the Tsim Sha Tsui water front when entering the semi-final stages. Matches will be held in a state-of-the-art glass court erected at the HK Cultural Centre Piazza, with the grand Harbour as its natural backdrop. A big screen will also be set up at the Piazza where people visiting one of the world’s busiest shopping areas can take a break and enjoy some world class sport.

The qualifying draws will be staged on 17 & 18 November, offers local players 11 places in the women’s and 8 places in the men’s event while Asian Games Medalist Rebecca Chiu Wing-yin together with the wide-card holders including Annie Au Wing-chi, Christina Mak Pui-hin and Dick Lau Siu-wai will be entered the main draw.

The Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Open, which is also supported by the Hong Kong government’s Major Event Sports Committee and is awarded “M” mark status, is always popular with the domestic and international squash community. A large contingent of players, coaches, families, fans and international media will be in Hong Kong in November to witness this spectacular event.

Cathay Pacific's Director Sales & Marketing Mr. James Barrington said: "We are happy to be lending our support once again to the Hong Kong Squash Open - a great event that provides an annual opportunity for local squash lovers to see the world's best players in action. This is the 23rd consecutive year for Cathay Pacific to support the event, which ties in with our ongoing commitment to make Hong Kong an even more exciting place to live and an even better place to visit. Hong Kong Squash has done a tremendous job organising the Open over the years and I am confident the 2008 event will be another resounding success."