Pro event will walk on water

Dubai: The list of world-class sporting events Dubai has to offer is impressive, but come 2010, yet another event will be added to the already buzzing calendar.

Vying for attention with the Barclays Dubai Tennis Championships will be the World Outdoor Squash Pro-Am Dubai, from February 28 to March 7.

What sets the new sporting event apart is its spectacular venue. The week-long extravaganza will be held at the Madinat Jumeirah Amphitheatre with the squash courts being built on water overlooking the magnificent Burj Al Arab in the background.

The event, which is going to be an important stop on the PSA calendar will feature at least four of the world's top 10 players in its first year.

Australia's world No 7 David Palmer has already confirmed his availability and talks are on to bring two of the three top Egyptians in the world - No 2 Amr Shabana, No 3 Karim Darwish and No 5 Ramy Ashour.

Talking to XPRESS at the Premier League, Andy Staines, chairman of the sub-committee representing the UAE Squash Association, said: "The contract for this huge event has just been signed with Classic Events Company.

"While we are not aiming very high in the first year itself, we still want to make it an event to remember. Besides bringing in the top players with help from sponsors Prince, we also intend to have the premier amateur squash, international squash threes and a juniors event alongside the week-long showpiece," he said.

"We also intend to make it a social event with other forms of entertainment like fashion shows and fireworks to go with the matches," Staines added.