Featuring World Top Players

Cairo – Egypt 15 April 2019: Main Draws for the 8th edition of El Gouna International Squash Open have been released. The world’s top men and women contenders, prepare to vie for atotal prize money of $352,000 in the penultimate PSA World Tour Platinum tournament of the 2018/19 season, which takes place from 17th to 26th of April in El Gouna, Red Sea.

El Gouna Squash Complex will host the first round matches on April 17-18. Matches will be split between the glass court at Abu Tig Marina and the El Gouna Squash Complex from April 19-22. All matches from the quarterfinals onwards will be held at the Glass Court at Abu Tig Marina between April 23-26.

Commenting on the draw announcement, Amr Mansi, Founder of El Gouna International Squash Open tournament said:"We are delighted to organize the 8th edition of the tournament for the eighth year in a row now. Despite the great successes the tournament has achieved over the past seven years, we still work very hard throughout the year to ensure the championship is enhanced”

"All these successes would not have been possible without the ongoing support of our sponsors, who share our interest in sports. Their support is an ideal reflection of the role played by the private sector in supporting sports and tourism in the country. For the first time this year at El Gouna International Squash Open, we will be awarding the legend Nicol David with our career achievement award. Nicol David has exceeded extraordinary barriers in her career, winning 81 PSA tour titles, 102 final matches and hitting a record of 8 world championships” He added.

Men’s World No.1 Ali Farag will top a PSA Platinum event for the first time and he will look to improve on last year’s runner-up finish to fellow Egyptian Marwan ElShorbagy.

Reigning women’s champion Raneem El Welily tops the women’s draw and could face eight-time World Champion Nicol David as early as round two. David, a former World No.1, will be granted a career achievement award at EL Gouna International Squash open as she will retire at the end of the season and will make her last appearance in El Gouna.


El Welily beat World Champion Nour El Sherbini to win the inaugural women’s title last year, but the current World No.1 has a difficult path to the final, with the likes of India’s JoshnaChinappa, Hong Kong Open champion Joelle King and World Championship runner-up Nour El Tayeb standing between her and a place in the title decider.
El Sherbini, who beat El Welily in El Gouna two years ago to win the second of her three World Championship titles, is seeded alongside World No.9 Alison Waters, World No.8 NouranGohar and World No.4 Camille Serme on the bottom half of the draw.

It is also worth mentioning the importance of the role of the private sector in supporting sports and tourism sustainability in the country. This year El Gouna Squash Open has an excessive line-up of sponsors, which includes big names from different industries and fields; including theArab African Bank (AAIB) and CI Capital as the main sponsors. Carrier as the platinum sponsor and O West as the gold sponsor. Miele, Moods, Bridgestone and Bupa as silver sponsors. In addition to On Sport, the Official Media Partner who will broadcast live free for the first time on Egyptian TV. Seat and Volkswagen also joined the line-up as the Official Automotive sponsors. Steigenberger Golf Resort and Ancient Sands as Official hosts. Nile FM and Nogoum FM as Official Radio Partners. Cairo West as the Official Magazine and finally the tournament’s co-sponsors; Ancient sands the villas and Cook’s club hotel.