Doha, Qatar : Qatar Airways has announced Qatar National Bank, Toyota and Fauchon as major sponsors of the 2004 Qatar Airways Squash Challenge, which will witness 32 of the world's top ranked squash players compete in the richest women's Grand Prix event this year.

Qatar Airways' Chief Executive Mr Akbar Al Baker announced the new sponsorship agreements with Qatar National Bank, Toyota and Fauchon at a crowded press conference today, that was attended by Qatar National Bank's Chairman of Community Support Committee and Board Member Mr. Mohammed Al Shamlan, Director of the Women's Squash Players Association Mr. Andrew Shelly and the world's number one ranked women's squash player Ms. Cassie Jackman.

"I'm pleased to announce that Qatar National Bank, Toyota and Fauchon have come aboard to be sponsors of the Qatar Airways Squash Challenge which will attract the world's top women squash players to Doha.

"This inaugural Qatar Airways Squash Challenge is a new Grand Prix event on the Women's International Squash Players Association's (WISPA) world squash circuit, and will be this year's richest event with US$70,000 in prize money.

"The support of Qatar National Bank, Toyota and Fauchon means that we can showcase the best women's squash in the world here in Qatar.

"The support of our sponsors with the 2004 Qatar Airways Squash Challenge has also meant that we can continue to create Qatar as a prime venue for major international sporting events," said Mr Al Baker.

The Qatar Airways Squash Challenge is expected to create a lot of interest as the US's Natalie Grainger attempts to reclaim the number one ranking from England's Cassie Jackman - who regained it early this month.

Grainger still goes into the tournament as the event's number one seed. Both Grainger and Jackman will start the competition on Tuesday February 24 with games against qualifiers, who will be decided in special qualifying round of matches on February 23.

World number three, Australia's Rachel Grinham, is also expected to perform well in the tournament. She presently leads the Grand Prix points ladder, ahead of Jackman, her sister Natalie Grinham, and Grainger.

The Qatar Airways Squash Challenge will be played at the Khalifa International Tennis-Squash Complex. The semi finals will be played on Friday, Saturday 27 and the final on Saturday, February 28.

For more information about the event go to www.qatarairways.com or www.wispa.net