Opening Ceremony
Posted by Tom Quinn on 25-Nov-2007Categories: News Add Trackback
(photo courtesy Steve Line of squashpics.com)
The night begins with greetings from the Town Crier of Hamilton. He then welcomes Robert Edwards - the “Voice of Squash”.
The drums of the Bermuda Regiment then provide some musical accompaniment, and Robert Edwards introduces some of the players from the different countries being represented - led out by John White of Scotland.
He tells Bermuda to be proud of what has been achieved, and gives special thanks to Kim Carter, Tournament Chairman, Ross Triffitt, Tournament Director, and Marc de Verteuil, Facilities Director. He also thanks the team of volunteers who made all this happen.
Edwards then asks David Gibbons, Chairman of the BSRA, and Dr. The Hon. Ewart Brown, Premier of Bermuda and Minister for Tourism, to come to the stage. The Premier tells Edwards that it has been a great year for Bermuda in terms of “Sports Tourism”, with the PGA Grand Slam, the World Triathlon Championship, the Gold Cup and now this event. He says that such events only serve to increase the focus on the island and help tourism.
The dignitaries and Drum band depart the stage, and Edwards welcomes Frenchman Renan Lavigne - one of the “three musketeers” who was a qualifier until Egyptian Karim Darwish dropped out through injury and Lavigne made it to the main draw. But his luck ran out when he drew his opponent…Then he welcomes the “Prince of Cairo” - one year and seven months at the top of the world. Amr Shabana. And the first match in the main venue of the Endurance World Open Bermuda 2007 begins in earnest.
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