Dubai: The next two editions of the season-ending Professional Squash Association (PSA) World Series Finals will be held at Dubai Opera, a 2,000-seat facility which will form the centrepiece of The Opera District in Downtown Dubai, it was announced on Thursday.
The 2016 edition of the tournament is currently under way in a purpose-built venue at Burj Park in the same vicinity, but the 2017 and 2018 editions will move into a more permanent structure, according to a two-year agreement with the PSA which has been facilitated by Falcon and Associates.
Secretary general of Dubai Sports Council Saeed Hareb said: “Dubai continually looks for new ways to develop its state-of-the-art facilities to improve the experience of elite athletes and spectators alike. The 2016 PSA Dubai World Series Finals has been a fantastic spectacle so far and by securing the superb Dubai Opera venue for the 2017 and 2018 editions, the future of the tournament looks very bright indeed. By delivering this world-class sporting event in a completely new and exciting way, we hope not only to enhance the emirate’s growing reputation as an international home for racket sports but inspire thousands across the region to play this fantastic sport.”
Chief executive of Dubai Opera Jasper Hope added: “As the emirate’s first purpose-built multi-format theatre, Dubai Opera has been designed specifically to host a wide spectrum of events that appeal to the cosmopolitan population that visit, live and work in Dubai. The venue’s unique ability to harness the state-of-the art technology and support systems in-house to create a truly first class entertainment experience is as perfectly well suited to sport as it is to culture. This is hopefully the first of many more elite sporting contests to share the Dubai Opera stage with our world-class artistic programme and we very much look forward to hosting the world of squash next year.”
Professional Squash Association chairman Ziad Al Turki said: “By hosting the PSA Dubai World Series Finals in Dubai Opera, thousands of fans around the world will be treated to high-quality squash in a simply breathtaking setting, while our players will feel privileged to play in such an iconic arena. The quality of play on court, coupled with the atmosphere within the venue, will make for a spectacular occasion and we are excited to be a part of the city’s impressive sporting story.”
Dates for the PSA Dubai World Series Finals tournaments were also announced as June 6-10 in 2017 and June 5-9th in 2018. Tickets for the ongoing event are on sale at: http://bit.ly/20rBVjD with further information available at: http://bit.ly/23VVrVA.
