Dazzling new venue for PSA World Series Finals
By Alan Thatcher, Squash Mad Editor
The promotion of top-class professional squash made another massive step forward today with the announcement that the World Series Finals will be staged in a spectacular new venue in Dubai.
The Professional Squash Association (PSA) revealed today that the event will move to the Dubai Opera centre for the next two years.
The venue is a 2000-seat multi-format venue which forms the centerpiece of The Opera District in Downtown Dubai.
The two-year agreement, facilitated by Falcon and Associates, will see the world’s top male and female squash players perform on one of the region’s grandest stages in front of thousands of anticipated spectators.
The announcement builds on the excitement generated by the inaugural 2016 PSA Dubai World Series Finals which is currently underway in a purpose built venue in Burj Park, Downtown Dubai, where tickets have been in high demand.
“By hosting the PSA Dubai World Series Finals in Dubai Opera, thousands of fans around the world will be treated to high-quality squash in a simply breath taking setting, while our players will feel privileged to play in such an iconic arena,” said PSA Chairman Ziad Al-Turki.
“The quality of play on court, coupled with the atmosphere within the venue, will make for a spectacular occasion and we are excited to be a part of the city’s impressive sporting story.”
The PSA Dubai World Series Finals is the season-ending climax to the both the men’s and women’s PSA World Series tours, featuring only the world’s best eight qualified players as they battle it out for the last title of the season.
Players compete for ‘Road To Dubai’ Ranking points at each PSA World Series Tournament in a bid to earn one of the coveted eight berths and a chance to compete in one of the sport’s most lucrative events.
Commenting on the announcement, Secretary General of Dubai Sports Council, His Excellency Saeed Hareb said: “Dubai continually looks for new ways to develop its state-of-the-art facilities to improve the experience of elite athletes and spectators alike. The 2016 PSA Dubai World Series Finals has been a fantastic spectacle so far and by securing the superb Dubai Opera venue for the 2017 and 2018 editions, the future of the tournament looks very bright indeed.
“By delivering this world-class sporting event in a completely new and exciting way, we hope not only to enhance the emirate’s growing reputation as an international home for racquet sports but inspire thousands across the region to play this fantastic sport.”
Chief Executive of Dubai Opera, Jasper Hope, added: “As the emirate’s first purpose-built multi-format theatre, Dubai Opera has been designed specifically to host a wide spectrum of events that appeal to the cosmopolitan population that visit, live and work in Dubai. The venue’s unique ability to harness the state-of-the art technology and support systems in-house to create a truly first class entertainment experience is as perfectly well suited to sport as it is to culture. This is hopefully the first of many more elite sporting contests to share the Dubai Opera stage with our world-class artistic programme and we very much look forward to hosting the world of squash next year.”
Dates for the PSA Dubai World Series Finals tournaments were also announced as June 6th – 10th in 2017 and June 5th – 9th in 2018.
Tickets are now on sale now for the 2016 event through Ticketmaster online here: http://bit.ly/20rBVjD and further information on both the PSA World Series and the PSA World Tour is available online here: http://bit.ly/23VVrVA.
About Dubai Opera:
Dubai Opera will be a truly unique venue and the city’s first purpose built multi-format performing arts theatre situated in the heart of Downtown Dubai. Set to open late 2016, Dubai Opera will offer the ultimate flexibility of a proscenium arch theatre, an acoustic concert hall and a 2000m2 flat floor event space. The configuration will allow for approximately 2000 seats for a concert and up to 1000 for a gala dinner. Outside of the main auditorium, the venue has a smaller performance space and rehearsal room and a stunning rooftop restaurant and sky garden with views of Burj Khalifa and The Dubai Fountain.
Website: www.dubaiopera.com
About Dubai Sports Council:
Dubai Sports Council was founded on November 30, 2005 with the aim of developing and improving sport in Dubai. It aims to create a comprehensive sports environment that meets the requirements of society and paves the way for the youth to cultivate their sporting and cultural talents and aptitudes in a way that leads them to achieve tangible results, so that Dubai can become a leading name in the world of sports.
Website: www.dubaisportscouncil.ae
About Professional Squash Association:
An affiliate of the World Squash Federation (WSF), the Professional Squash Association (PSA) is the global governing body responsible for the administration of both men’s and women’s professional squash around the world. With over 800 registered players and over 200 events taking place in all four corners of the globe every year, the PSA World Tour showcases the game of squash at its highest level in some of the world’s most unique and stunning locations. Encapsulating all that is good about top flight professional squash, combining athleticism, skill, fitness, tenacity, power, drama and above all else, passion, the PSA World Tour is the pinnacle of world squash.
Website: www.psaworldtour.com
About Falcon and Associates:
Falcon and Associates FZ-LLC is an independent strategic advisory and implementation company working on behalf of the Dubai leadership to enhance the emirate’s position as a global hub for finance, business and tourism. Falcon partners with government and private entities to build on the emirate’s many successes to date, helping it fulfil its long-term potential.
Website: www.falconandassociates.ae
Pictures courtesy of PSA