Squash chief confident that world No 1 Ali Farag’s withdrawal will not affect Hong Kong Open ticket sales
- Egypt’s Farag, a two-time Hong Kong runner-up, has not recovered from a knee injury sustained at the US Open in October
- More than 80 per cent of final-day seats are sold out before the major event begins on Monday, according to Emily Mak
Squash chief Emily Mak believes world No 1 Ali Farag’s withdrawal will have no effect on ticket sales for the upcoming Hong Kong Open, with more than 80 per cent of final-day seats sold out before the major event begins on Monday.
The Professional Squash Association (PSA) announced on Friday that Egypt’s Farag, a two-time Hong Kong runner-up, has not recovered from a knee injury sustained at the US Open in October, which forced him to withdraw from the Everbright Securities Hong Kong Squash Open, which has a total prize purse of US$340,000.
The “M” mark event, which runs from Monday to December 4, is returning to Hong Kong after a four-year absence, with the government granting an exemption that allows overseas players to enter the Squash Centre for practice immediately upon arrival.
According to Mak, around 80 overseas players had arrived by Saturday, with all PCR tests coming back negative, and around 20 more will arrive by Sunday.
“We have asked the government for an exemption from November 25-27, so all of the international players must be here for these three days,” Mak said.
A PCR test station has been set up at the Hong Kong Squash Centre, which has seen the budget for the tournament swell to around HK$7 million.
