2005 Canary Wharf Classic Boasts New Sponsor

The world's leading squash players will be heading to London's Docklands once again for the 2005 ISS Canary Wharf Classic. The event, featuring eight of the game's star names, will be staged on the all-glass showcourt at the spectacular East Wintergarden venue in Jubilee Place, Canary Wharf, from March 14-18 next year.

England's rising star James Willstrop will be back to defend the title he won this year against top seed Thierry Lincou in a magnificent contest that created squash history as it was the first competitive match to be staged in a best-of-seven games format.

The event features a new sponsor in 2005 and Jim Hayes, Managing Director of ISS Facility Services (London Division), said: "We are delighted to step up from Associate Sponsors this year to Title Sponsors in 2005. It illustrates our commitment to the sport and this event in particular.

"This year's tournament was an outstanding success and our guests thoroughly enjoyed watching such breathtaking squash staged in a superb venue. We look forward to seeing squash of a similar high standard in March."

The Host Sponsors are again Canary Wharf Group plc, and Maureen Lynch, Manager of the Arts and Events Department, said: "The first annual Canary Wharf Squash Classic proved to be a highlight of the 2004 Arts & Events calendar here at Canary Wharf Group, and we're delighted to bring the tournament back in 2005. The East Wintergarden serves as a breathtaking backdrop for such an exciting week of sport, and we could not be happier to host what is certainly one of the most unique events on the squash circuit."

The tournament is jointly promoted by Eventis Sports Marketing and Squash247 and former world champion Peter Nicol MBE, a founding director of Eventis, said: "We are keen to build on the success of our first event and stage an even more successful tournament in 2005.

"Everyone, the players, sponsors and spectators, enjoyed our first tournament this year, and we are delighted that ISS have shown such significant commitment to next year's event.

"We will be announcing the full line-up of players in due course, but I can confirm that it will be a star-studded cast once again, with players fully determined to showcase their skills in a wonderful setting at Canary Wharf."