India bags World Open squash rights

Tuesday, October 17, was a red letter day for Indian squash. It won the rights and title for the men's World Open for the years 2001, 2003, 2004 and 2005, and the World Grand Prix finals in 2002.

In a historic agreement, Bombay-based promoters Procam International clinched a million-dollar prize-money deal with the Professional Squash Association to stage the most prestigious event on the world tour.

"This is a big day not only for squash, but also for India," said PCA board director Robert Edwards while making the announcement at a press briefing at Hotel Taj President on Tuesday evening.

Edwards, who has been involved with over 120 world events, said the World Open, which started in 1975, is the pinnacle of world squash and it is the first time that rights have been awarded for a period of five years. "This is indeed the biggest day in my career," he declared, adding that it is because of the organisational expertise of Procam managing director Anil Singh and his brother Vivek that the PCA awarded the rights for five years.

Gawain Briars, executive director of the PCA and a former world No. 4, said it is a historic moment and expressed confidence that Procam International will "improve and upgrade the prestige" of the World Open.

Though the dates and venue of the 2001 event will be decided later, Edwards said it will be a 32-player main draw with every member country being accommodated in a preliminary tournament.

For his part, Anil Singh said the shifting of the 1998 World Cup from Bombay to Qatar provided the inspiration to stage the event in India again.