‘Time running very short’ for Hong Kong Squash Open, with government yet to give the green light
- November’s top-tier tournament at risk of being cancelled if quarantine requirements are not confirmed by next week
- Squash chiefs desperate not to cancel event for fourth year in a row, ‘but must have approval to start all required procedures’
Officials fear “time is running very short” to hold the Hong Kong Squash Open for the first time since 2018, with the government yet to approve quarantine requirements for November’s top-tier event.
Organisers plan to kick off the US$$329,000 tournament – a platinum event on the sport’s world tour – on November 28, a week after the Malaysia Open, with the finals to take place on December 4 at the Hong Kong Park Sports Centre.
The Professional Squash Association’s website is yet to list the event, however, because the local governing body is still waiting for the green light from government officials, with the tournament at risk of being cancelled for a fourth year in a row.
“We are very keen to have the event back after missing it for the last three years,” said Hong Kong Squash executive director Emily Mak. “It is one of the most popular events among the players and is welcomed by the fans with a top-class field.
“Also, it’s a top-tier competition offering significant ranking points to the players. We need these points to help our players get a better draw ahead of the Hangzhou Asian Games which is our prime target next year.”
As the hosts, Hong Kong can enter two men and two women as wild cards, while other players will have to rely on their world rankings to qualify for the 48-player main draw in each category.
