Hong Kong Squash Open will put city ‘back on the map’ says sport’s chairman Duncan Chiu
- Return of flagship event from three-year hiatus should cement Hong Kong’s status on the sport’s world calendar, says boss Duncan Chiu
- After leaving the city for more than a year to train and compete, Hong Kong’s top stars are excited to put on a showcase for home crowd
Hong Kong squash chief Duncan Chiu has said the return of its flagship from a three-year absence will cement the tournament’s status as a permanent fixture on the calendar.
Speaking at the official launch of the Everbright Securities Hong Kong Squash Open in Happy Valley on Tuesday, Chiu said governing body the World Squash Federation sees the city as an important stop on its annual schedule, and its return to the fold was a welcomed move.
“We definitely will be a permanent fixture,” Chiu said. “For us this is putting Hong Kong back on the map for squash. It’s important for us to keep doing it.
“There’s only a small number of platinum events on the tour and if you don’t hold the event over an extended time, that slot might get taken up by someone else. So we really have to get this back on the schedule every year.”
Chiu said it was also a relief to have the event back after what he said were three years of “incredibly tough decisions”.
