Al-Ahram Return Hopes Dashed

Hopes of a return of one of squash's most high-profile events have been dashed by the announcement that the 2005 Al-Ahram International will now not take place at the end of this month.

The staging of the inaugural Al-Ahram International on an open air court adjacent to the world-famous Great Pyramids of Giza, near Cairo, in May 1996 began a five-year run of the most-photographed squash event of all-time. The Professional Squash Association (PSA) Super Series tournament, promoted by the Al-Ahram Group, attracted the world's top players including world number ones Jansher Khan, the 1996 champion, and Peter Nicol, champion in 1997, 2000 and 2001, and local hero Ahmed Barada, the 1998 winner.

Difficulties in finalising sponsorship deals for the 2005 event have led to its postponement.

"This is a real disappointment to those PSA players that have entered," said PSA Chief Executive Gawain Briars. "But the PSA looks forward greatly to working closely in the future with one of the Tour's most prestigious promoters, the Al-Ahram Group, who we believe will soon return to hosting major events outside again at the pyramids of Giza - one of the most iconic venues in squash."