Squash legend joins Camille Serme and Borja Golan on WSF trip
By HOWARD HARDING – Squash Mad International Correspondent

Shortly after bringing her illustrious professional squash career to a close, the sport’s ultimate ambassador Nicol David will join fellow players Camille Serme and Borja Golan for the 2019 WSF Ambassador Programme visit to Kenya, where the latest World Squash Federation initiative will be hosted by Kenyan Squash community in the country’s capital Nairobi.

Launched in 2011, the WSF international promotional initiative takes leading squash players, together with an international coach and referee, into younger squash nations to help raise the sport’s profile – through clinics, exhibition matches, refereeing and coaching seminars, and media presentations.

Joining Malaysia’s former world No.1 David, France’s world No.4 Serme and Spaniard Golan, a former world No.5, will be Belgian national coach Ronny Vlassaks and international referee Marko Podgorsek, from Slovenia. The 2019 campaign will take place from 27-30 June.

David is a tireless squash campaigner and ambassador. The 35-year-old record eight-time world champion played significant roles in all of the sport’s Olympic bids since 2005; was the leading light in several Women’s Tour Promotional visits to raise the profile of the sport in all corners of the globe in the 11 years preceding the WSF Programme; and participated in four of the ‘Ambassadors’ initiatives from 2011 to 2015.

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“We are all excited as this is truly the biggest event yet for our sport,” said national representative Gakuo Ndirangu.

“The timing is perfect: Squash is now really on the up and with all the squash clubs taking up a greater initiative in the promotion of the game at all levels and having great players, coach and referee here in June will stimulate this even more. Events will be hosted by Parklands Sports Club and the Nairobi Club, with all others joining in too.”

WSF CEO Andrew Shelley added: “As always, we are immensely grateful to Camille and Borja for taking time away from the busy international tour schedule to lead this vital promotional visit – and are thrilled that Nicol will be able be with us again too and delight Kenyans with both her charm and her skills.

“We look forward meeting and interacting with the Kenyan squash community and help the national federation boost the sport’s profile.”

The WSF Ambassador Programme first visited the Baltic country of Latvia in 2011, followed by a trip to the African countries of Malawi and Namibia, then Panama and Venezuela in 2013, Papua New Guinea in 2014, before focussing on the Balkan region in 2015 with appearances in Serbia, Romania and Croatia. In 2016, the team visited Dalian and Macau in China.

After the 2017 edition was postponed, the WSF team headed to Armenia (where Camille Serme was pictured above, with youngsters at Grand Sport in the country’s capital Yerevan) and Ukraine in 2018.

Pictures courtesy of WSF and PSA 

Inaugural event is $76,000 PSA Silver status
By SEAN REUTHE

Egypt’s Nour El Tayeb, one of the most amazing athletes in squash, heads up a world-class draw, featuring seven of the world’s top 10 female players, in the forthcoming Manchester Open. This PSA World Tour Silver event takes place between May 9-13.

The Manchester Open, a women’s-only tournament, will see players compete for the inaugural trophy and a $76,000 prize fund at Manchester’s National Squash Centre.

The Cairo-based World No.3 El Tayeb, runner-up in this season’s PSA World Championship, headlines the draw ahead of New Zealand’s World No.5 and 2018 Commonwealth Games Gold medallist Joelle King, England’s No.1 Sarah-Jane Perry and fellow Egyptian Nouran Gohar.

England’s former World No.1 Laura Massaro, British National champion Tesni Evans and England’s former World No.3 Alison Waters all feature, while United States No.1 Amanda Sobhy and eight-time World Champion Nicol David will also be involved.

The Manchester Open is supported by Manchester City Council and follows the successful staging of the award-winning AJ Bell PSA World Championships in the city in December 2017, where equal prize money was on offer across both the men’s and women’s events for the first time in the tournament’s history.

The top eight seeds receive a bye into round two, where current English No.1 Perry and Malaysian icon David are seeded to meet. Meanwhile, top seed El Tayeb could face former World Champion Massaro for a place in the semi-finals.

There could also be a British showdown between England No.1 Perry and Welsh World No.9 Evans in the quarter-finals should both players play to their seedings, with the Englishwoman aiming to avenge her round three defeat to Evans at the PSA World Championships.

Hong Kong Open winner and No.2 seed King will take on either Belgium’s Nele Gilis or Scotland’s Lisa Aitken for a place in the quarter-finals, depending on who comes out on top in their fiercely contested first-round meeting on May 9.

Elsewhere, home favourites Julianne Courtice and wildcard Rachael Chadwick will get their tournaments under way against recently crowned US National champion Olivia Blatchford Clyne and Netherlands’ Milou van der Heijden, respectively.

Live coverage of the entire tournament will be shown on SQUASHTV (rest of world), the PSA World Tour Facebook page (excluding Europe and Japan) and Eurosport Player (Europe only), while the semi-finals and final will also be shown live on mainstream broadcasters around the world such as BT Sport, Fox Sports Australia, Astro and more.

Tickets for the tournament are available to purchase via Ticketmaster or via the event website www.manchesteropensquash.com 

PSA Women’s $76,000 Manchester Open, National Squash Centre, Manchester, England.

Main Draw:
[1] Nour El Tayeb (EGY) [Bye]
Coline Aumard (FRA) v [9/16] Mayar Hany (EGY)
[9/16] Millie Tomlinson (ENG) v Danielle Letourneau (CAN)
[5] Laura Massaro (ENG) [Bye]
[6] Tesni Evans (WAL) [Bye]
[WC] Rachael Chadwick (ENG) v [9/16] Milou van der Heijden (NED)
[9/16] Nicol David (MAS) v Samantha Cornett (CAN)
[3] Sarah-Jane Perry (ENG) [Bye]
[4] Nouran Gohar (EGY) [Bye]
Amanda Landers-Murphy (NZL) v [9/16] Emily Whitlock (ENG)
[9/16] Olivia Blatchford Clyne (USA) v Julianne Courtice (ENG)
[8] Amanda Sobhy (USA) [Bye]
[7] Alison Waters (ENG) [Bye]
Hollie Naughton (CAN) v [9/16] Salma Hany (EGY)
[9/16] Nele Gilis (BEL) v Lisa Aitken (SCO)
[2] Joelle King (NZL) [Bye]

Pictures courtesy of  PSA

Diego Elias to make Macau debut as top seed alongside local favourite Annie Au
By ALEX WAN – Squash Mad Asian Bureau Editor

The annual Macau Squash Open returns onto the PSA calendar once again and will continue to feature equal prize money of US$ 50,000 each for both the men’s and women’s events. The PSA Bronze event will be held over five days from 10 – 14 April 2019.

The first three rounds will take place in the usual Macau Bowling Centre before play is moved onto the all-glass court at the Tap Seac Square in the St. Lazarus Quarter.

The men’s event has attracted a strong field and will feature two world top ten players. The draw will be headed by the “Peruvian Puma” Diego Elias and India’s Saurav Ghosal, who are ranked 9 and 10 in the April rankings. This is the Peruvian’s maiden appearance in Macau while Saurav was a runner-up at his last appearance here in 2017.

Ghosal, who broke into the coveted top ten for the first time this month, is seeded to face hard-hitting third seed Omar Mosaad in the last four. The Egyptian was a finalist last year and was two games up before losing out in five to Hong Kong’s Yip Tsz Fung in the final.

Hong Kong will have the biggest contingent in the men’s event with five entries. Yip is seeded fourth and he will have lovely memories of Macau after winning his biggest ever title here last year. He is drawn to meet compatriot Leo Au in the last eight, while 2016 finalist Max Lee is drawn to meet Elias in the same stage.

Manuel Gassmann will make his second appearance as a local wild card at the event. The 17-year old has been drawn to play Malaysian Ivan Yuen in the opening round. Hong Kong’s Lau Tsz Kwan will fill the second wild card spot and will play Spain’s Edmon Lopez.

An opening round encounter to watch would be the battle between 2017 World Junior runner-up Victor Crouin of France and Ng Eain Yow, the 2016 World Junior champion from Malaysian. The pair, currently ranked 74 and 37 respectively, will battle it out for a slot in the last sixteen against “The Komodo” Nafiizwan Adnan.

The women’s event, while not having any top ten players, is not short of quality entries. Local favourite Annie Au of Hong Kong is the top player in the field. The world number 11 has always been drawing local support and was a finalist in 2016 and semi-finalist in the last two editions.

Second seed Salma Hany of Egypt will be looking to relish her great performance here last year. The 22-year old was a surprise finalist after taking out top seed Camille Serme in the last eight and Hong Kong’s Joey Chan in the semis. Since that breakthrough run, she has had her best results on tour, including a quarter-final showing at a World Series event. In June 2018, she broke into the top 15 and then reached her career-high of 12 in March this year.

However, former world number 5 Low Wee Wern has been drawn to play Hany and could potentially be a party spoiler for the Egyptian. Low will be making her debut in the event and will be looking to further improve her ranking after breaking back into the top 40 in February.

Asian pair Joshna Chinappa of India and Hong Kong’s Joey Chan are third and fourth seeds. Both potentially have tricky Egyptians in their quarter if matches go to seeding in the form of Mayar Hany and Zeina Mickawy.

Local challenge will be spearheaded by Liu Kwai Chi, who will be playing Japanese number one Satomi Watanabe. Hong Kong youngster Chan Sin Yuk has been given the second local wildcard and will face Kiwi Amanda Landers-Murphy.

The 2019 Macau Squash Open is organised by the Macau Squash Association and is jointly supported by Galaxy Entertainment Group Limited, Companhia de Telecomunicações de Macau S.A.R.L., MC Sportswear & Uniform Ltd., Kings Media, Macau Coca-Cola Beverage. Co. Ltd. and Macau Business & Business News Agency.

Entry to the first round up to the quarter-finals at the Macau Bowling Centre is free of charge. Semi-finals and finals tickets at all-glass court on Tap Seac Square will be ticketed. They are free of charge but are limited. Squash fans interested to reserve their tickets may contact the ticketing hotline at +853 2853 0497 or email [email protected]

There will also be a carnival at the venue on 14 April 2019 that is open to the public, where visitors will have a chance to experience playing squash.
 

Pictures courtesy of PSA

Saracens back row Hayden Thompson-Stringer will join French second-tier side CA Brive on a two-year contract this summer.

The 24-year-old came through the Saracens academy and has made 31 appearances for the Premiership club.

"It's been a hard decision to make but I feel it's time for a new challenge in France," Thompson-Stringer said.

"Saracens is a great club and I'd like to thank everyone who has helped me develop from the academy to now."

Rhys Webb is resigned to not playing for Wales again until his contract at Toulon ends in 2021.

The 30-year-old scrum-half is ruled out of international selection because he plays outside Wales and has fewer than 60 caps.

Reports have suggested he might be recalled for the 2019 World Cup, but the player himself ruled that out.

"It's pretty simple. I'm contracted with Toulon for another two years so there's nothing more to say," he said.

"The 60 cap rule came in after I signed for Toulon and that's where I stand at the moment.

Webb told the Scrum V podcast: "I'm a Toulon player for the next two years.

"To be honest it would be easy for me to pack my bags now and walk away just because Toulon haven't had a very good season, but I'm a hungry person.

"I've got a lot of drive in me and I want to get Toulon back to where they belong and hopefully in the next two years I can help do that."

Webb is the highest-profile casualty of the 60-cap rule.

Toulon claimed they had an agreement with Wales that Webb could continue playing international rugby when they announced his signing on 10 October 2017.

The Welsh Rugby Union announced their new selection policy six days later.

Players already on contracts outside Wales before the new rule was introduced have moved back to Wales when those deals have come to an end - notably Ross Moriarty at Dragons (from Gloucester) and Josh Adams' move from Worcester to Cardiff Blues.

However, a couple of loopholes have been exposed with prop Tomos Francis still eligible to play for Wales despite staying at Exeter, because he activated a clause for an extension in an existing contract.

While Cardiff Blues prop Rhys Carre's move to Saracens will not affect his selection chances because he has not yet been involved in a senior squad.

"It does confuse me, but I'm not going to say too much," added Webb.

"Personally I don't know how people can still play for Wales if they play outside of Wales."

However, the former Ospreys scrum-half still harbours a long-term ambition to play for Wales.

"I haven't shut the door on playing for Wales but there's a 60 cap rule in place at the moment," he added.

"Who knows after my Toulon contract, I can come back to Wales and play and maybe I can play for Wales then, but it's simple at the moment."

Ex-Wales and Lions flanker Martyn Williams: "There's too many grey areas at the minute.

"It should be black and white - if you don't play in Wales you don't play for Wales and if you stay in Wales you play for Wales. Then it's a lot easier to understand, it's a lot easier for players like Webby to take on board.

"When there's these loopholes left right and centre it doesn't do anybody any good. I've got a feeling they will iron it all out and it will become more black and white and that's how it should be."

For the latest Welsh rugby news follow @BBCScrumV on Twitter.

Sale Sharks prop Jake Pope has been banned for six months after testing positive for cocaine for a second time.

Pope is the first player to be found guilty of twice breaching the Rugby Football Union's illicit drugs policy.

He is banned from 4 December 2018, the date of his provisional suspension, until 4 June 2019.

The 21-year-old admitted a first offence after a test in September 2017 found "cocaine or its metabolites", for which he was fined £1,000.

RFU policy means first-time offences are not made public, but a second positive test in November 2018 found "adverse analytical finding" for cannabis and cocaine.

"The purpose of the Illicit Drugs Policy is primarily to protect the health and welfare of players," said Anti-Doping and Illicit Drugs Programme manager Stephen Watkins. "This means that, in the first instance, the problem can be dealt with as a confidential health-related issue.

"This is the first time we have had a second offence since the policy was established in 2010. It should send a strong deterrent message to all players that the RFU takes the misuse of substances seriously."

Pope has made a total of six appearances for Premiership side Sale, but has not played for the club this season.

A Sharks statement said Pope's behaviour was "unacceptable", but pledged to support him.

It said: "The club does not condone the misuse of drugs from any player and accept the decision made by the RFU, however Sale Sharks prides itself on being able to offer a career pathway into rugby for people of all backgrounds and circumstances and for this reason we feel it is right that, as a young man who has made mistakes, Jake be given a fair chance to redeem himself.

"Jake will be available to play again from 4 June 2019."

TULSA, Okla. – The countdown has almost hit zero for fans to renew their tickets for the 34th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire with the deadline set to pass at 5 p.m. (CT) on Thursday, April 11.

A reminder that tickets are sold in 4, 5, or 6-day packages. Prices for the 2020 event are as follows: 4-Day (Wednesday-Saturday) $227; 5-Day (Tuesday-Saturday) $282; 6-Day (Monday-Saturday) $337 Prices shown don’t include Tax or Shipping. The Tax rate for Tulsa, Okla., is 8.517 percent. Shipping is $7 for orders up to 15 sets of tickets and $10 for orders of 16 ticket orders up.

Domestic orders will be sent via USPS Certified Mail. You can opt for Will Call instead. All International orders are kept in Will Call.

The Chili Bowl ticket office accepts Visa, MasterCard, Cash, Check, and Money Orders are taken by phone at (918) 838-3777, by Fax at (918) 836-5517, or by mail to 1140 S. 83rd East Ave. Tulsa, OK 74112. The Chili Bowl ticket office will not accept any order over Social Media or Email.

The Chili Bowl ticket office is open Monday-Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (CT).

Orders will be processed for payment during the month of May and are slated to ship sometime in June. When we process orders, they are done by hand. If you have any other questions, you can find the Ticket FAQ online at https://www.chilibowl.com/ticketinfo/ or you can call the Chili Bowl ticket office.

If you’re on the list for new tickets, and a reserved seat ticket cannot be procured, Pit Passes will be on sale at the event and never sell out. The Pit Pass double as a General Admission pass and allows fans access to the back straightaway on a first come, first served basis. Pit Passes are $45 per weekday and $60 on Saturday. Passes can be purchased for multiple consecutive days. Pit Passes are not sold in advance.

The 34th annual Lucas Oil Chili Bowl Nationals presented by General Tire takes place Jan. 13-18, 2020 atop the Tulsa Expo Raceway, located under the giant roof of the River Spirit Expo.

The racing season really kicked into high gear last weekend, with many tracks across the country hosting their first races of the season. Are there any changes in the Power Rankings as a result? Click below to find out!

KNOXVILLE, Iowa – My Place Hotels has partnered with Knoxville Raceway to be the title sponsor of the 360 Knoxville Nationals presented by Great Southern Bank.

The partnership makes My Place Hotels the official hotel partner of the 360 Knoxville Nationals and the nearby locations in Altoona and Ankeny will offer discounted rates to race fans during the event week.

The multi-year partnership will include the 30th annual My Place Hotels 360 Knoxville Nationals presented by Great Southern Bank in 2020.

“The My Place Hotels 360 Knoxville Nationals presented by Great Southern Bank officially kicks off the greatest 10 days of racing in America,” said Kendra Jacobs, Director of Marketing for Knoxville Raceway. “Fans from around the world travel to Iowa, which means that fans from around the world are looking for a place to stay. My Place Hotels has two nearby locations in Altoona and Ankeny with generously discounted rates for our fans. This is a partnership that not only supports the race track and the event, but also the race fans.”

The My Place Hotels locations in Altoona, roughly 45 minutes northwest of Knoxville Raceway, and in Ankeny, roughly 50 minutes northwest from Knoxville Raceway, are now the official hotel partner of the My Place Hotels 360 Knoxville Nationals presented by Great Southern Bank.

Drivers, race teams and fans can take advantage of a special promotional rate at either of the two hotels. Any guests who use the promotional code Knoxville when booking will receive a $99 per night rate for the July 31 through Aug. 5 nights. A limited amount of rooms will be available Aug. 6 through Aug. 11 at $139 per night with the promo code.

To receive the promotional discount, reservations must be made by calling the two hotels directly at 515-348-7161 (Altoona) and 515-381-0589 (Ankeny).

“The partnership with Knoxville Raceway demonstrates the fun-loving spirit of the owners and operators behind the My Place Hotels locations in Ankeny and Altoona, Iowa,” said Ryan Rivett, president and CEO of My Place Hotels. “As exceptional hospitality providers and the official hotel partner, I’m confident these nearby hotels will be an outstanding home base for race fans during the 360 Knoxville Nationals and throughout the phenomenal season at The Sprint Car Capital of the World.”

SUZUKA, Japan – Two-time Formula One champion Mika Häkkinen is making a rare return to racing in August to compete in the Suzuka 10 Hour endurance race.

Häkkinen, who won back-to-back Formula One titles in 1998-99, will co-drive a customer racing McLaren 720S GT3 in the 10-hour endurance event at the Suzuka Int’l Circuit. He’ll share driving duties with two-time Super Formula champion Hiroaki Ishiura and Japanese Formula 3 racer Katsuaki Kubota.

The trio will drive the new 720S GT3 during the fourth round of the Intercontinental GT Challenge Powered by Pirelli on Aug. 23-25. Further information on the entry, including details of the customer team that will be running the car, will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

Häkkinen spent 11 years competing in Formula One, nearly all of it driving for McLaren. He earned 20 victories during his career, including a victory in the Monaco Grand Prix in 1998.

After retiring from Formula One competition at the end of the 2001 season, Häkkinen competed in rally events before returning to racing full-time in the Deutsche Tourenwagen Masters (DTM) series for three seasons from 2005 to 2007.

Since then he has raced sparingly, occasionally entering sports car or rally races.