The PSA Canary Wharf Classic will return to East Wintergarden in March ©PSA

The Professional Squash Association (PSA) have announced that fine wine investment firm Veblen Wines and financial management company Ashmax Associates will sponsor the upcoming Canary Wharf Classic, which takes place from March 5 to 9.

Veblen Wines founder and director Lazare Morel and Ashmax Associates financial advisor Ryan Briggs, a former professional footballer, play in the same squash team and have decided to come together to sponsor the tournament at East Wintergarden in London.

Morel says that squash plays a big part in his life.

"Squash has helped my health and fitness and I have met some great people through playing the game," he said.

Ryan Briggs, left, and Lazare Morel, right, play in the same squash club in Kent ©PSA
Ryan Briggs, left, and Lazare Morel, right, play in the same squash club in Kent ©PSA

Briggs added: "Since retiring from playing professional football, I have started playing competitive squash and am passionate about the game.

"Both Lazare [Morel] and I are excited about being involved with the Canary Wharf Classic, one of the greatest tournaments in the game, and watching many of the world's leading players in action at the East Wintergarden."

The Canary Wharf Classic will be headlined by Egypt's world champion Mohamed Elshorbagy alongside compatriot Ali Farag and home athletes Nick Matthew and James Willstrop.

This year's edition of the tournament is the first ranking PSA World Tour event to be played using a best-of-three games scoring format in the opening rounds. 

It will revert back to the traditional best-of-five format for the semi-final and final stages.