Stage set for Qatar Classic Squash tournament

The Qatar Tennis,Squash and Badminton Federation (QTSBF) is intensifying up its ongoingpreparations yesterday for the Qatar Classic Squash Tournament.Mostof the top players of the world are featuring in the five-day event,which will be held at the Khalifa International Tennis and SquashComplex from October 29.Tariq Zeinal, QTSBF secretary-general andtournament director, said the tournament is a major fixture in the worldand is important for the top players in terms of gaining valuablepoints and improving their rankings. He added that the prize money ofthe World Series event tournament has also been increased by QTSBFPresident Nasser al-Khelaifi to $165,000 this year.Current world No.1 Gregory Gaultier of France and three-time world champion Ramy Ashourwill lead a group of high-profile players in the tournament. EgyptiansKarim Abdel Gawad, Mohamed ElShorbagy and Ali Farag also feature in theevent along with Briton Nick Matthew.The QTSBF has awarded a wildcard to Qatari player Abdulla al-Tamimi, the world’s No. 42, in the mainround, while six other Qatar players will take part in the qualifyingrounds.  The winner of the event will take home $24,225 and therunner-up stands to gain $14,820.