British Open on Sky TV

9.1.00 London

SQUASH GOES LIVE ON SKY
Next month's British Open Squash Championships will herald a major television breakthrough for the sport with live coverage of the semi-finals and final on Sky TV.

It will be the first time in the prestigious event's 79-year history that action has been screened live on national television. Sky coverage of the semi-finals will be broadcast from 15.00 on Saturday 14 October with the Sunday programme beginning at 16.00.

"The British Open Squash Championship is, for our viewers, the most important event in the Professional Squash Association Hi-Tec Super Series," said Sky TV's Roger Moody. "We have shown highlights from the Super Series in previous years, but to be covering the British Open live for two days is the icing on the cake. We are delighted to be associated with the event."

This year's new-look British Open, at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham from 11-15 October, promises to be the most high-tech tournament ever staged in this country. The Open will see a new way of televising squash. Special cameras are being installed, allowing screening of shots never seen before. There will be special gantry cameras and a super-slow-motion machine, allowing analysts to fully explain what is happening.

Squash legend and six-times British Open champion Jonah Barrington will be joined by England's former women's world No3 Sue Wright to provide the expert comments. The only snag is that Sue hopes to be playing rather than commentating.

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Production console at the '99 British Open (Photo © Squashtalk, 2000)

Sue explained: "I've agreed to help out Sky TV with their coverage, but obviously I'd rather be playing. If it means that people rarely hear my voice, I'll be delighted because it will mean that I've reached the women's final. However, if things don't go to plan, I'm looking forward to sitting in the commentary box watching my colleagues."

Sky TV will be providing extensive coverage of the tournament with updates throughout the week in addition to the live coverage of the final and semi-finals. The main action at the NIA from 11-15 October will be preceded by qualifying rounds at the nearby Edgbaston Priory Club on Monday 9 and Tuesday 10 October.

The innovative Sky TV commitment, which will delight squash enthusiasts throughout the UK, was initiated by event promoters The Eye Group. For full details of tickets for the 2000 British Open, call the ticket hotline on 0121-780 4444.

Issued on behalf of: SRA For further information: Howard Harding Email: HowHard@aol.com

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