PREPARATIONS for the Costa North Coast Open Squash Championships in Coffs Harbour are rapidly taking shape with players expected to begin arriving in little over a week’s time.

The Challenger Tour 10 tournament has attracted strong representatives from 12 countries largely from Asia, the Middle East, and Europe, Brazil and the USA to contest the men’s and women’s open.

The calibre of players competing will provide plenty of entertainment for spectator viewing throughout the five days of competition with the finals set for Sunday 21 August commencing at 1pm.

Tournament Director Peter Saxby said “We are delighted to have nine players who represented their home countries at the Commonwealth Games including Malaysia, India, New Zealand, and Australia arriving in Coffs Harbour to make a challenge to win the Costa North Coast Open for 2022”.

The top seeds are Henry Leung from Hong Kong world ranked (WR) 57 and Chan Sin Yuk WR 36, this will be the first time these players have competed at the Costa North Coast Open and their main challengers include Muhammad Asim Khan Pakistan WR 58 and Muhammad Syafiq Kamal Malaysia WR 87.

Top seed for the Women’s Open, Chan Sin Yuk’s main opposition includes Grace Gear England WR 59, and Nareen Kotb of Egypt WR 79.

The program gets underway on Wednesday 17 August with the men’s first-round matches.

On Thursday the women take to the courts to begin their campaign followed by the men’s second round.

Spectators will be treated to world-class matches on Friday night with players competing for a larger slice of world ranking points on offer in the Challenger Tour 10.

Visitors can see the top eight men and women in action from 5.30pm applying their skills and craft for a place in the semi- finals scheduled for Saturday afternoon.

Finals day on Sunday will see action get underway from 1pm with the women’s final followed by the men’s decider.

There will be a support program of graded and junior events with the juniors getting to spend time on court with the professionals on Thursday afternoon from 4pm in a junior clinic.

Juniors should contact the squash centre to secure a place in this popular program.

“The support of Costa Group and Coffs Harbour Council and Coffs Coast Events is very encouraging and contributes to showcasing world-class squash to the whole Coffs Harbour community,” said tournament director Peter Saxby.

“Spectators and visitors are welcome to come to the squash centre at any time during the week of activities with free entry to see and enjoy all the excitement and action.”

ITINERARY:
Wednesday – 17 August
6pm – first round men’s open
Thursday – 18 August
6pm – second round men’s open, first round women’s open
FRIDAY 19 August
5.30pm official welcome to players
6.15pm – quarter finals men’s and women’s open
Saturday 20 August
1pm – 4pm semi-final’s women’s and men’s open
Sunday 21 August
1pm – women’s open final
2pm – men’s open final
3.15pm – conclusion and presentations.

By David WIGLEY