ABU DHABI // The Abu Dhabi Squash Open has been put back until later in the year following the row over a press statement released by the Abu Dhabi Squash Racquets Association (ADSRA) against the wishes of the championship hosts, the Sheraton hotel. The capital's premier squash tournament, which was due to be competed for by more than 100 players who had prepared for the event at the end of a long season, was scheduled to take place at the Sheraton from June 22-July 12, but it has now been delayed because the press release failed to receive prior approval from the hotel.
"The championship has now been postponed following the withdrawal of the sponsorship from Sheraton," said The ADSRA chairman Mabrouk al Nahdy. "The Abu Dhabi Open is the traditional grand finale event after the league and it was quite unfortunate it had to be put back. "It will now take place at the beginning of the new season because a majority of the players are leaving or left for their summer holidays.
"We have already shortlisted a few options and the new dates and the venue will be announced in September." The hotel's PR director, Mouna Ouni, said: "We have certain rules and policy matters and any news that involves the Sheraton should go through the proper channels. It is a serious matter when a press release gets published in the newspapers without the prior approval of the management." The Sheraton has played host to the championship over the past four years and it is the first time in more than 25 years that it has been postponed.
apassela@thenational.ae
