World-class line-up for the 6th CIMB KL Open Squash Championships 2011

Press Release 
16/3/2011

Kuala Lumpur: CIMB today announced its title sponsorship of the CIMB KL Open Squash Championships 2011 for the sixth consecutive year. Taking place from 15 March to 20 March 2011, the tournament boasts a world-class line-up and promises exciting action for all squash fans, both from Malaysia and abroad.


To mark the sponsorship of the event, Dato’ Mohd Shukri Hussin, Chief Executive Officer of CIMB Foundation, presented a mock cheque to Dato’ Syed Mustaffa Syed Ali, President of Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) and Organising Chairman of CIMB KL Open, witnessed by Dato’ Charon Wardini Mokhzani, Deputy CEO, Corporate & Investment Banking, CIMB Group, and Dato’ Zolkples Embong, Director-General of The National Sports Council of Malaysia (NSC).

Dato’ Mohd Shukri Hussin, Chief Executive Officer of CIMB Foundation handing over the title sponsor mock cheque to  Dato’ Syed Mustaffa Syed Ali, President of Squash Racquets Association of Malaysia (SRAM). Witnessing the handover were Dato’ Charon Wardini Mokhzani, Deputy CEO, Corporate & Investment Banking, CIMB Group, and Dato’ Zolkples Embong, Director-General of The National Sports Council of Malaysia. 

“A top-notch championship such as the CIMB KL Open is very important as a good run at the championship provides our local budding players an opportunity to gain valuable world ranking points. We are pleased to have the support from CIMB to make this tournament a world-class sporting event,” said Dato’ Syed. 

Reiterating Dato’ Syed’s message, Dato’ Shukri added that CIMB is indeed proud to maintain its title sponsorship of this tournament that has not only gained international recognition, but it is also serving exceedingly well as a platform for the advancement of squash in Malaysia.

Fans can again expect to be captivated and inspired by the skill, determination and sheer talent of athletes at the top of their game. In the Women’s event, it will be a battle among the world’s best as 12 out of the top 13 women players in the world will be vying for the title.

Leading the pack as the defending champion and World No. 1 is our very own Dato’ Nicol David, who will be facing stiff competition from rivals Jenny Duncalf (World No. 2 from England) and Rachel Grinham (World No. 3 from Australia). Also in the Main Draw is Laura Massaro (World No. 8 from England) who is hoping to repeat her victory of defeating Dato’ Nicol earlier this year, ending Dato’ Nicol’s unbeaten 14-month winning streak. Malaysia’s fast rising star, Low Wee Wern (World No. 13) also makes the Main Draw on her own merit. Other Malaysians starting in the qualifying round are Delia Arnold (World No. 20) and Siti Munirah Jusoh (World No. 44). This star-studded line-up makes it almost equivalent to a World Women’s Championship.

In the Men’s event, former World No. 1 and current World No. 3, Karim Darwish, is back to avenge his defeat in the finals last year, but he will first have to fend off competition from former two-time World Junior Champion and current World No. 9, Mohamed El Shorbagy, who is seeded No. 2 in this championship. The Main Draw will also feature three Malaysians, namely Mohd Azlan Iskandar (World No. 10), Ong Beng Hee (World No. 23), and wildcard Mohd Nafiizwan Adnan (World No. 47).

As with previous years, the preliminary rounds will be held at the National Squash Centre, Bukit Jalil. Quarterfinals onwards will be staged in a glass court mounted at the concourse area of Berjaya Times Square, Kuala Lumpur.

CIMB KL Open remains a highly rated Women’s International Squash Players Association (WISPA) Gold-45 for the Women’s event with total prize money of US$53,500, while the Men’s event is a Professional Squash Association (PSA) International 50 with total prize money of US$50,000.

In conjunction with the title sponsorship announcement, CIMB Foundation, SRAM and the NSC also inked an agreement renewing CIMB Foundation’s commitment as Rakan Sukan Squash. This covers title sponsorship of the KL and Malaysian Open, the CIMB Junior Squash Development Programme, and administrative expenses of SRAM.


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