From the O2 to the KC Stadium, The Allam British Open, the most iconic and prestigious squash tournament in the world is confirmed as the first squash tournament to be held within a football stadium, when the world’s best players converge on the KC Stadium in Kingston upon Hull next year.
Sponsor Assem Allam is owner of the Hull City Football Club which shares the KC Stadium with one of two local rugby league teams, Hull FC.
From the May 20-26, 2013, the world’s best players head to Yorkshire, home to both world No.1 James Willstrop and double world champion and three-time British Open champion, Nick Matthew.
Tickets go on pre-sale exclusively to England Squash & Racketball members today and to the wider public from Friday December 7.
A Platinum World Series Event, The British Open promises to be a fantastic spectacle within the KC Stadium, building on the success of this season’s renewal at London’s O2 Arena.
Alongside the top 32 men in the world, the pre-eminent female player of her generation, Malaysia’s world champion Nicol David, returns to the these shores to try and complete a nap hand of British Open titles, with four victories to date.
Chief Executive of England Squash & Racketball, Nick Rider commented: “We’re delighted to welcome the Allam British Open to Hull, East Yorkshire, for what promises to be a spectacular tournament featuring the world’s best players. Dr. Allam’s support for squash is unequalled and we look forward to delivering an event in his home city that will reward his vision and showcase the sport at its highest level.”
Dr Assem Allam, title sponsor of the Allam British Open, said: “I am extremely proud to bring this most prestigious of contests to Hull and East Yorkshire as I don’t believe the region has ever staged a sporting event of such magnitude before. I believe my sponsorship of the Allam British Open is different to most sports because I am involved not for commercial reasons, but due to my long family association with the sport. Myself and my brother, Galal, have squash running through our veins and that continues to this day with my grandchildren who are becoming very good players.
“When I spoke at last year’s presentation ceremony, at the O2 arena, it was not as a corporate man but as a proud and passionate Ambassador for Squash. This year will be even more satisfying because we are bringing the world’s greatest players to Hull and East Yorkshire and so for one week the eyes of the world will be focused on a wonderful sport played at the highest level in a fantastic part of the UK.”
Chief Executive of the PSA, Alex Gough, said:  “With the British Open seeing a welcome return to the PSA World Tour last year, we are looking forward to another great event next May. PSA is excited to again be working with England Squash & Racketball for the event’s new location in Hull and would like to thank Dr Allam, the main sponsor of the event again, whose support has been invaluable for the tournament.”
WSA Chairman Ingrid Lofdahl-Bentzer added: “We are delighted to see the prestigious 2013 Allam British Open move to its new home in Hull. It will give fans in Yorkshire and surrounding areas an opportunity to see live world class women’s squash, including their local top-ranked stars, Laura Massaro and Jenny Duncalf.”
Tickets go on pre-sale exclusively to England Squash & Racketball members today.
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