Manchester will host the 2017 World Squash Championships over the next eight days. The competition proper begins on the 9th of December, with a qualification round taking place today, and will take place at the National Squash Centre until the 13th. As the tournament progresses to the later stages it will switch location to the Manchester Central Convention Complex from the 14th to the 17th of December.
The city held the Men’s Squash World Championships in 2013. That year saw Englishman Nick Matthew successfully win the title. The victory in Manchester saw Matthew claim his third World Championship in four years.
Sheffield born Matthew relived his 2013 success saying, “Winning the title in Manchester in 2013, in front of one of the best crowds and atmospheres I have ever experienced, is one of the most special moments of my career and I’m really excited to be returning. Its’ testament to the work of Manchester Council.”
In 2013 the city did not have the privilege of holding the Women’s World Championship, which took place in Penang. However, British success continued that year with Laura Massaro winning the title in Malaysia. In doing so she became the third female from England to win the competition and the first to do so since 1999.
Massoro will be hoping to use the hometown advantage to drive her to another success. “Knowing we’ll have a home crowd, which has inspired me to victories at the British Open before and provided that extra motivation needed in tough matches, behind us is such an extra boost,” she said.
England number one Massoro also praised the significance of Manchester hosting such a prestigious tournament, “World Championships happens only once a year, but a home worlds comes once, if you’re lucky twice, a career. So for me it’s a huge incentive and for the next generation of British players it’s a great opportunity to get test themselves against the very best in the world and hopefully take that step towards competing at that next level as well.”
Both Matthew and Massoro will be hoping to clinch the title once again. The competition will have extra importance to Matthew, “It will be the last World Championships I get to play in my own country – and maybe the last of my career full stop – so I’ll be doing everything I can to try and end it on a high.”
Hopefully the passionate Manchester crowd can inspire the home-grown talent to succeed in the tournament.
If you would like to attend the event tickets are available here.
