The already strong programme of squash 'majors' has been enlivened today by the announcement that the SDAT WSF World Cup will take place in India next year from 8-12 March.
Spearheaded by the Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu (SDAT), the biennial event will be held in Chennai in 2011, 2013, and 2015, with the final rounds next year being played on an all-glass show court erected at the Express Avenue Mall, the largest shopping complex in southern India.
Sixteen national teams featuring top players from all over the world will compete, with two men and one woman being the format. Favourites to be vying for the title are expected to include Australia, Egypt, England, France, Malaysia, Netherlands, and hosts India.
Thanks to the relentless efforts of World Squash Federation President Mr N Ramachandran, the Tamil Nadu Government is contributing a total of one million dollars for the next five years. In granting this sponsorship, the TN Government spoke highly of the efficient and professional manner in which the Tamil Nadu Squash Rackets Association functions:
"We are eagerly looking forward to hosting the world's best squash players in Chennai," said a delighted TNSRA Secretary General Mr Srivatsan Subramaniam. The event next year will feature a prize fund of $(US)125,000, with $(US)50,000 going to the winning team.
Enthusiastically welcoming the championship which will be played in his home city, WSF President Ramachandran explained: "Not only is this exciting event a great boost for India, with the opportunity of watching top stars competing in the flesh and on TV, but the bigger picture is that we have added an important international event to our shop-window."
Endorsing this, WSF Chief Executive Andrew Shelley added: "We see it as essential to work with the men's and women's Tours to maximise our media impact and to provide a full range of world titles for our sport.
"The World Cup is the only event in the squash calendar in which we have a single competition for both men and women. Having one which is staged every other year, starting next March, is a major step forward."