Partners and Sponsors

HI-TEC SPORTS was founded in the UK in 1974 and has since become a global brand with presence in over 90 countries worldwide. Cementing the importance of the sport of Squash to the brand, the original success of the company can be attributed to Hi-Tec's (and the sport's) first ever shoe, THE HI-TEC SQUASH. Specifically designed for the then fast growing game of squash it is an industry benchmark then and now, in fact few shoes in athletic footwear history have recorded unit sales of over 18 million pairs worldwide to date. The Hi-Tec Squash remains Britain's all time best selling sports shoe model to this day.

As host of the Hi-Tec World Squash Championships 2008, Manchester continues to strengthen its impressive reputation for successfully hosting major international sports championships. 2008 will see Manchester host five other World Class events including World Championships in Swimming and Track Cycling. These events raise the City's global profile as a sporting 'Mecca' whilst bringing long-term social and economic benefits to Manchester and its residents. The City's excellent range of accessible sports venues and facilities, combined with its school and community sports development programmes, provide the springboard for Manchester's sporting stars of the future.

England Squash is the governing body for squash in England and is responsible for the organisation and promotion of the sport. It comprises 38 County Associations, approximately 1,000 Clubs and 50,000 Individual members aged from 8 to 80. England Squash develops programmes and resources across the whole spectrum of the sport, from grassroots development, through coaching and competitions for all ages and abilities, to producing World, European and Commonwealth champions on a regular basis.

The Hi-Tec World Squash Championships 2008 has been part funded by UK Sport's National Lottery-funded World Class Events Programme, which aims to secure events of strategic importance that deliver a range of lasting benefits. These include economic, social and cultural benefits as well as improving sporting performance by home athletes, encouraging participation and leaving a legacy of facilities and development initiatives. Over 120 sporting events have been staged in the UK through the programme since 1997. More at www.uksport.gov.uk.

Major events make an important contribution to the economic development of the region, as well as helping to project the Northwest on the world stage. Over the last two years, events supported by the NWDA have resulted in 1.2 million visitors, 180,000 bed nights and a £40 million contribution to regional economy - as well as 32 hours of national television coverage. Through its Major Events Strategy the NWDA will continue to attract and support events such as the Hi-Tec World Squash Championships - Manchester 2008 and will work hard to capitalise on the economic, tourism, and image benefits that can be achieved through hosting of events of this nature.

Dunlop, the number one brand in squash equipment, is committed to sport at all levels from grass roots to elite play. Within squash Dunlop dominates the racket and ball market as the No.1 choice for discerning players worldwide. On the Professional World Tour Dunlop is the most used racket and also the choice of World No.1 Amr Shabana. Dunlop squash balls are used at all major squash events as the Official Ball of the World Squash Federation, Professional Squash Association and the Women's International Squash Players Association. As market leaders Dunlop is also at the forefront of new product development and has recently launched Aerogel as the next generation in high performance racket technology. For more information visit www.dunlopsport.com.

The Manchester Evening News is the UK's highest circulating and most widely read regional daily newspaper. It is part of the M.E.N. media portfolio of companies in Greater Manchester. M.E.N. Media is a wholly owned subsidiary of Guardian Media Group plc. Along with the Manchester Evening News, the M.E.N. Media portfolio includes more than 20 daily and weekly paid and free newspapers, Channel M Television, the UK's most successful city TV station, available via a free to air terrestrial analogue signal on channel 39, Virgin Media, channel 878 and on the SKY platform, EPG Guide No. 203 and a large number of local and regional websites which serve the whole of the Greater Manchester region and beyond. As the best source of sporting information for the region, the Manchester Evening News is delighted to be a Media Sponsor for the Hi-Tec World Squash Championships 2008.

sportdiscount.com™ is the World's leading online squash equipment, clothing and footwear supplier, offering the best brands, best prices, best delivery and secure online shopping. Whether you are an amateur or professional player you can browse the online range of squash equipment, from squash rackets, balls, clothing, footwear and more. sportdiscount.com is the Official Retailer at many leading squash championships, including: British National Championships, Dunlop British Open, British Grand Prix, English Grand Prix, Canary Wharf Classic & English Open.