The world's best squash players are heading to El Gouna International Squash Open which returns for the seventh edition from April 20-27, under the auspices of the Ministry of Youth and the Egyptian Tourism Authority. This year's edition features Men and Women PSA World series events offering an equal prize money of $165,000 each. El Gouna International Squash Open brings together the Top 112 players from 17 countries, with the men's entry list including 23 from the top 34 in the main draw, defending champion Gregory Gaultier seeded to meet World Champion and World's number one Mohamed El Shorbagy in the final. As for the women's entry list, the top 16 are confirmed in the draw with defending champion and World's number one, Nour El Sherbini seeded to meet World Champion Raneem El Welily in the final. Egyptian business tycoon Naguib Sawiris is main sponsor of the tournament for the third year in a row. "El Gouna International Squash Open is playing a significant role in boosting a sport where Egypt and Egyptian players have recognized a leading position worldwide. This year, we will introduce an equal prize money for Men and Women competitors for the first time in Egypt, following suit with the major International Squash tournaments like the PSA World Squash Championship and the British Open who moved to prize parity in 2017." Sawiris said. El Gouna International Squash Open is part of the Seven World Series Tournaments that are the largest International tournaments in the world in terms of Prize Money and points on the PSA World Tour Calendar, they are held annually in six different countries worldwide, namely the United States, Hong Kong, England, Egypt, Dubai, and Qatar. "Although my squash playing career may not have carried me except to the top 50, it left me with plenty of ambition. My vision for the El Gouna International Squash Open from day one was to seek out opportunities for Egyptian squash players to succeed in their home country and at the same time, support Egypt's tourism industry." the Founder of El Gouna Squash Open and CEO of I-Events, Amr Mansi said. "The success of the tournament and its continued presence in Egypt will be the largest proof of Egypt's high standing and its ability to host world events and after seven tournaments, I'm happy to say that my ambitions have turned into reality." Mansi added. The tournament which grabbed the attention of the whole world, is organised by I-Events in partnership with Orascom Development Egypt and El Gouna and is sponsored by the Arab African International Bank, CI Capital, Orascom Telecom Media and Technology Holding (OTMT), Ayia Napa Marina, El Gouna Film Festival, platinum sponsors are Carrier and Pier 88, silver sponsors are Moods, Miele, transportation partner is Uber and the official automotive is Maserati. Qualifications take place on the 18th and 19th of April at El Gouna Squash Complex and the main draw runs from 20th-27th of April at the complex and on the Glass Court at Abu Tig Marina. "Orascom Development are proud to host, for the seventh successful year in a row the El Gouna International Squash Open. The event has been hailed by sports magazines and TV for its prowess, organizational skills in line with International standards simultaneously shedding light on the sports industry in Egypt." Orascom Development Holding CEO Khaled Bichara said.
