By Renad Ghanem
CAIRO — El Gouna will be hosting two huge events for the Squash world — El Gouna International Squash Open Men’s 2017 sixth edition that will take place from 5th of April to 14th of April and Orascom Development PSA Women’s World Championship — delayed from 2016 which will also be held in the spectacular El Gouna in Hurghada, Egypt for the first time.
56 top female squash players from more than 20 countries will be participating in Orascom Development PSA Women’s World Championship including the current world number one and world champion Nour El Sherbiny from Egypt and the eight times world champion Nicol David from Malaysia. Ladies will be competing on a grand cash prize of $165,000.
While El Gouna International Squash Open Men’s 2017 is valued by $150,000 cash prize, this tournament is ranked as one of the seven squash international tournaments based on its money prize and the points earned by each player.
Amr Mansi, Tournament Director said in a press conference held recently, “We are extremely happy to be bringing to Egypt and El Gouna, the delayed 2016 Women’s World Championship after successful negotiation with Professional Squash Association (PSA).”
He added, "During last year’s men’s El Gouna International, I pledged to stage a women’s event in 2017. So to not only do that, but to stage the biggest tournament on the women’s calendar, is a fantastic opportunity and I would like to thank all my sponsors for making it happen.” said Mansi.
In support of the Women’s World Championship and El Gouna International Squash Open for Men, Amr Mansi launched #KeepTheBallRolling hashtag; he served the ball without a destination for it to keep rolling around the world. They are inviting people to hit or throw a ball and pass it to someone who they know is going to #KeepTheBallRolling around the world and asked people to post their video on Facebook & Instagram with the respective hashtag.
