By Gary Anderson

August 29 - AJ Bell will sponsor the 2013 World Squash Championships in ManchesterManchester-based firm AJ Bell has been announced as the main title sponsor of the Professional Squash Association (PSA) 2013 men's World Squash Championships that are set to take place in Manchester from October 26 to November 3.

Formed in 1995, the company, which provides online investment platforms and stockbroker services, signed a three-year naming rights partnership with Lancashire County Cricket Club last month, and according to its marketing director Billy Mackay, AJ Bell sees squash players as a natural fit for its target demographic.

"With 1.5 million squash players distributed fairly evenly across the UK, our sponsorship of the event in Manchester is a chance to increase our brand awareness nationally," he said.

"Importantly, it also cements our strong connection to Manchester and the North West.

"With increasing interest in squash and a decision imminent on the sport's bid to gain Olympic Games recognition, it is an exciting time to add our support to the excellent work being carried out by the Championship's stakeholders, PSA, England Squash and Racketball (ESR), UK Sport and Manchester City Council."

This year represents the second time that the biggest event on the PSA World Tour will be staged in Manchester following the 2008 World Championships.

The heat stage of the event will be held at the National Squash Centre, Sport City with the final weekend - quarter-finals onwards - taking place at Manchester Central, formerly known as the G-Mex Arena.

England's Nick Matthew will be hoping to make it World Championship number three on home soil in ManchesterEngland's Nick Matthew will be hoping to make it World Championship number three on home soil in Manchester

























Just a matter of weeks after the end of the World Squash Championships, Manchester will also play host to the final of the Rugby League World Cup at Old Trafford, the home of Manchester United.

"Manchester is a major international sporting destination hosting global competitions that draw the eyes of the world to the city," said Manchester City Council Executive Member for Culture, Rosa Battle.

"The announcement that AJ Bell has chosen to sponsor the World Squash Championship can only be seen as positive and it is beneficial to both the company and sports fans throughout Manchester and beyond."

Ramy Ashour with the World Championship trophy he won in Manchester in 2008Ramy Ashour with the World Championship trophy he won in Manchester in 2008



















































Egyptian world number one, Ramy Ashour will have found memories of Manchester as it was here that he won his first World Championship crown in 2008, and the 25-year-old from Cairo will be looking to defend the title he won at last year's Championships in Doha.

He is likely to face stiff competition from home favourites James Willstrop, Peter Barker and double world champion Nick Matthew, Frenchman Gregory Gaultier, and fellow Egyptians Karim Darwish, Mohamed Elshorbagy, Tarek Momen and four-time winner Amr Shabana along with Spaniard Borja Golen, all of whom are currently in the world's top ten.

"We are delighted to see AJ Bell as the title sponsor for this year's World Championships," said Alex Gough, the PSA chief executive.

"The sport is gaining more and more exposure all of the time and to attract a sponsor that is already involved in other successful sports like cricket, shows the growing value of squash at the moment."

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