Press Conference By Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng In Komtar, George Town, Penang On 29.1.2014.
Penang will host the 29th WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 2013 for the 1st time in our history on March 15-23, 2014 at sPICE (Subterranean Penang International Conference & Exhibition Centre) in Penang. This follows the cancellation of the 2013 Women’s World Championship when both Hong Kong and Egypt rejected proposals to organize it last year.
Penang aspires to be a sporting city as part of a clean, green, healthy and safe Penang. WSA’s agreement to permit Penang to host this event is a strong recognition that Penang possesses the facilities, amenities and infrastructure of a fitting location for an international event as well as the experience and expertise to organize a world championship.
The cancellation of the Women’s World Squash Championship last year meant world No. 1 Nicol David was compelled to keep her world crown for an extended period. The Penang state government felt that it was a real shame that Penang’s very own world squash queen will not be able to add to her already impressive collection of seven world titles earned in 2005, 2006, 2008 – 2012. Malaysians, especially Penangites, are eagerly awaiting her to defend her title for a record eighth time.
For this reason, the Penang state government decided to step in to allow the 2013 championship to continue as well as give Penangites an unique opportunity to see our very own squash queen in action, and hopefully live up to expectations by winning the World title again. The Women’s Squash Association (WSA) premier event, which may cost up to RM1 million, will involve a prize money of USD 120,000. The state government will be approaching sponsors to assist in sharing the cost of this tournament. We are also happy to announce that Eastin Hotel will be the official hotel for this Championship.
A permanent show court or demountable all-glass court must be used for the quarter-finals, semi-finals and final of the Championship. This world championship would generate truly worldwide TV and general media coverage.
The Women’s World Championship feature a 32 player main draw played over 5 / 6 days as agreed, and a preceding maximum 64 player qualification draw played over 3 days, March 15th to 17th. The qualification draw will be held at the Nicol David International Squash Center, Bukit Dumbar with the final games at sPICE.
World class players from 20 countries will be involved. Streamers publishing this World Championship will be put up in Penang beginning today and we urge all Penangites to give their support. Tickets for the world championship will be sold after Chinese New Year.
LIM GUAN ENG
—–Mandarin Version —-
槟城州首席部长林冠英于2014年1月29日在槟城乔治市光大发表声明。
槟城将于2014年3月15至23日在槟城湖内国际体育馆主办2013年第29届世界女子壁球锦标赛。
槟城州政府于2014年3月15至23日，在槟城国际会展中心承办2013年第29届世界女子壁球锦标赛，这是槟城史上首次承办这项国际锦标赛。原本2013年世界女子壁球锦标赛是因为香港和埃及相继拒绝承办曾被迫一度腰斩。
为了符合更干净、绿化、健康及安全的城市大方向，槟城立志要成为一座爱好运动的城市。世界女子壁球总会允许槟城主办这项国际赛事，是肯定槟城的运动设备、赛事设施及基础设施是足以举办世界级活动项目，而槟城的经验及专业能力更是赢得主办这项世界锦标赛的条件。
随着去年赛事被取消，意味着世界第一的妮科大卫自动获得延长保留其世界冠军头衔。槟城州政府对于槟城自家的世界壁球王后无法继2005、2006及2008至2012称霸7届世界冠军之后，无法在2013年凭她的实力在赛场上卫冕世界冠军觉得说不过去。马来西亚人，尤其是槟城人是渴望看到妮科可以第8度成功卫冕世界冠军。
因此，槟城州政府决定毛遂自荐让2013年世界女子壁球锦标赛重生，同时让槟城人借机现场亲睹我们的壁球女王，希望能在槟城父老面前再次荣获世界冠军头衔。世界女子壁球总会的顶级赛事举办费用多达100万令吉，这包括了12万美元的参赛奖金。州政府将会寻求其他赞助支持活动经费，而州政府也欣然宣布易思廷酒店（Eastin Hotel）将会成为赛会指定酒店。
世界女子壁球锦标赛的八强、半决赛及冠军战必须是在永久式壁球场或是可拆卸式玻璃壁球场地中举行。这项世界女子壁球锦标赛将会获得世界国内外的电子及主要媒体广泛报导。
届时，世界前32名种子选手将在5至6天内竞技争冠，多达64位选手在3月15日至3月17日参与入选赛，15日至17日在妮可大卫国际壁球中心，接着赛事将会在槟城国际会展中心(sPICE)进行竞技。
这项赛事将会吸引来自20个国家的世界顶级壁球选手参加。而主办单位将会在今天悬挂赛会宣传布条，因此我们呼吁槟城人民积极支持响应这项世界级的运动赛事。相关比赛的入门票将会在农历新年后公开发售。
林冠英