26-Oct-07:
Madrid World Open Attracts Royal Interest

Amongst the distinguished guests attending the semi-finals of the Madrid Women's World Open Squash Championship in the Spanish capital was HRH Infanta Pilar de Borbon, sister of the King of Spain, HM Juan Carlos.

It was the second day of action on the open-air all-glass court set in the Jardines del Cabo Noval, adjacent to the Palacio Real - in the first sports event ever to be held alongside Madrid's historic Royal Palace.

Together with Her Royal Highness, watching the historic action which produced the first ever World Open final between two sisters, were HRH Prince Imran, President of the Olympic Council of Malaysia and Patron of the World Squash Federation (WSF); and fellow IOC Members Juan Antonio Samaranch Jnr and Kai Holm, from Spain and Denmark, respectively.

IOC members (L to R) HRH Prince Imran, Juan Antonio Samaranch Jnr, and Kai Holm, flanked by
Madrid 16 CEO Mercedes Coghen (far left) and WSF Emeritus President Susie Simcock (far right).

25-Oct-07:
Madrid Mayor Welcomes Women's
World Open To Unique Royal Setting

At a special reception to celebrate the staging of the Women's World Open Squash Championship adjacent to the Palacio Real in the Spanish capital Madrid, the city's Mayor, Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon, addressed a distinguished group of guests, proposing that "this combination of sport and beautiful scenery will amaze both the spectators and the players".

Guests included His Royal Highness Prince Imran, President of the Olympic Council of Malaysia and Patron of the World Squash Federation (WSF); Jahangir Khan, President of the WSF; Susie Simcock, Emeritus President of the WSF; Manuel Cobo, Deputy Mayor of Madrid; Mercedes Coghen, CEO of Madrid 16; Rogelio Chantada, President of the Spanish Squash Federation; and Malaysia's world number one Nicol David.

After two rounds at the city's Club Palestra, action has switched to an open-air all-glass court at the Jardines del Cabo Noval, adjacent to the Palacio Real.  The 2007 World Open Championship is the first sports event ever to be held alongside Madrid's historic Royal Palace.

"This is a unique location in the City of Madrid because it is surrounded by the Royal Palace and the Royal Theatre, as well as amazing views over the Sabatini Gardens, the "Campo del Moro" Gardens, the Manzanares River and the Casa de Campo Park," said Mayor Ruiz-Gallardon.

"The fact that Madrid is hosting this event proves that all Spanish institutions support every sport event that is held in our city.  Especially, I want to thank the backing of HRH Queen Sofia of Spain,

 who is the President of the Honour Committee of the tournament.

"The success of this important championship, as well as the other sport events that have been held recently in our city - including the Tennis Master Series and the European Basketball Championships -  represent the best possible promotion for the Madrid 16 Olympic bid.

"Madrid has a well-proven experience in the organisation of sport competitions and it projects the image of a city committed to sport," concluded the Mayor.

Jahangir Khan, a former six times winner of the men's World Open title, presented a special plaque to the Mayor in appreciation of the city's generous sponsorship of the 2007 Women's World Open Championship.

Pictured on the all-glass court at the Jardines del Cabo Noval in Madrid, with the Royal Palace in the background, are: (L to R) Rogelio Chantada, President of the Spanish Squash Federation; Manuel Cobo, Deputy Mayor of Madrid; Nicol David, the world number one from Malaysia; Susie Simcock, Emeritus President of the WSF; Mercedes Coghen, CEO of Madrid 16; His Royal Highness Prince Imran, President of the Olympic Council of Malaysia and Patron of the WSF; Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon, Mayor of Madrid; and Jahangir Khan, President of the WSF.

22-Oct:
Madrid 16 Welcomes World's Top Women
To The Spanish Capital

At a special Opening Ceremony tonight (Monday) in Madrid, hosted by Madrid 16 in honour of the staging of the 2007 Women's World Open Squash Championship in the Spanish capital, CEO Mercedes Coghen welcomed the world's top players to the city and thanked the World Squash Federation (WSF) and the Women's International Squash Players' Association (WISPA) for choosing Madrid to host the sport's biggest event.

"We wish all the best to squash in its bid to become part of the Olympic programme - and we urge you to think of Madrid as the capital city for sport," Ms Coghen told the distinguished audience.

Angus Kirkland, the WSF Technical Director addressed the gathering on behalf of the Federation's celebrated President Jahangir Khan, the former six times World Champion. 

"This event is the most important competition in Women’s Squash.  Only the best 32 from some 21 nations have qualified - and I am convinced they will delight you all with their skill, athleticism, determination and friendliness," said Kirkland for the WSF President.

"I would like to thank the city of Madrid for hosting this World Championship. You have shown us your generosity and vision, your passion for sport and your organisational capabilities by embracing the event with open arms.  Your efforts will leave us all with unforgettable moments and pictures that we will treasure forever.  In particular, my sincerest gratitude to the Mayor of the City of Madrid, Mr. Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon, to Mr. Miguel de la Villa at the Sports Department, and to the Community of Madrid's Councillor of Sport Mr Alberto Lopez-Viego.

"I am also very grateful to Madrid 16.  We would not be here today without the leadership and drive of Mercedes Coghen and her team.  You have done so much for this event to become the success it will be.  Thank you Mercedes.  Thank you Ramona.  Thank you Carmen.  Thank you Madrid 16.

"In a final round of thanks, I would like to acknowledge the Real Federacion Espanola de Squash for accepting and participating in the organisation of this event.  I know this marks a historic moment in Spanish Squash and I trust our Federation will seize on the development opportunity that has been presented to them.

"I would like to wish Madrid best of luck in its initiative to bring the Olympic Games to the city in 2016.  Squash is trying to achieve inclusion in the sports programme and the next opportunity is also in 2016.  I sincerely hope that our collective dreams and efforts come to fruition in Copenhagen in 2009."

Malaysia's title-holder Nicol David addressed the gathering on behalf of the players:  "When we first heard that this year's World Open was going to be in Madrid, we were all so pleased to be coming to this great city.  It's going to be a spectacular setting for the final stages, on the all-glass court by the Royal Palace.

"Hopefully squash and Madrid 16 will both fulfil our dreams for 2016 - and that I will still be playing in order to compete in the sport's first appearance in the Olympic Games!"

Rogelio Chantada, President of the Spanish Squash Federation, added his thanks to the assembled crowd:  "We thank the WSF and WISPA - but particularly Madrid 16, without whose help the city would not have been able to stage this event."

In accepting the WSF flag from Angus Kirkland, Madrid City Council's General Director of Sport Miguel de la Villa said:  "It is a pleasure to have the world championships for squash in our city - the best of luck to you all, and we hope to see you again in 2016 - here in Madrid!"
 

19-Oct-07:
Madrid Unveils Women's World Open
Championship Website

Organisers of the Women's World Open Squash Championship, the sport's biggest-ever event which will be staged in Madrid next week from 23-27 October, have unveiled the new event website http://squash.sportec.com

In addition to history of the event, background information about the World Squash Federation (WSF) and ranking details of the players, the site will also feature information about the Spanish capital, a virtual magazine, and links to other official websites of Madrid.

The new site has been developed by specialist Spanish company Sportec.

"On the dynamic side, we will be constantly updating news about the championship and the results," explained Sportec's Rosa Pena.  "There are links to the competition schedule, the general programme and the entry list by event. 

"When the competition begins, we will update all the matches and the results table.  At the end of competition, we’ll show the final standings with its medallists," added Pena.

The 2007 Madrid Women's World Open will be staged adjacent to the Royal Palace (the Palacio Real) in the Spanish capital, from 23-27 October, following qualifying at the city's Pallestra Squash Club from 21-22 October.

Official website: http://squash.sportec.com