World Squash Championships Set For Manchester 2013

The men’s World Squash Championships are due to return Manchester next year, five years after the National Squash Centre first hosted the prestigious Professional Squash Assoication (PSA) showcase event.

 

The announcement was made at the Hilton Manchester Deansgate, attended by two-time World Champion, Nick Matthew, and current world number one James Willstrop.

 

It will be the fifth time the World Open has been held in England since it began – at Wembley – in 1976.

 

Matthew said: “The World Championships is the biggest title in the game and hosting it on home soil will allow us to build on the current momentum squash is creating in the UK and showcase it to a wider global audience.”

 

Before adding: “It has been an honour to be crowned World Champion on two occasions and I would dearly love to reach Manchester as defending champion.

 

“The World Championships in Manchester will also play a massive part in proving squash’s credentials for an Olympic spot in 2020.”

 

Nick Rider, chief executive of England Squash & Racketball, commented: “The outstanding success of English squash on the world stage continues to attract the attention of the international community.

 

“The chance to host the World Championships endorses Manchester as a world leading centre for excellence providing elite coaching and facilities of the highest standard.”

 

The men’s World Squash Championships is the latest in a series of high-profile international events to be held in the Manchester since the Commonwealth Games in 2002.