BY HOWARD HARDING

The Women's International Squash Players' Association (WISPA) is planning to launch a Global Grand Slam series next year.

Discussions are under way with a number of prospective hosts for these events which will staged on all-glass courts in exciting locations - featuring prize funds of US$150,000 and with TV highlights programmes distributed worldwide.

Planned titles are Asian, European, North American, South American, African, Oceania and Gulf Grand Slams. Each event will feature main and qualification draws of 32 players, and will have places reserved for top players from the host region and country.

"Recognising the special status of these events, we will be introducing a new elevated ranking points band for these championships, together with the World Open - one step higher than our current top Platinum level, which features titles such as the Cathay Pacific Hong Kong Open," explained WISPA Chief Executive Andrew Shelley.

"These Grand Slam events will add a major new tier to our integrated World Tour, which ranges from the World Open, through the Grand Slam, into Platinum and then to our Gold, Silver and Tour levels: A really strong backbone providing competitive and promotional opportunities at all levels.

"WISPA is confident that this exciting step forward will significantly strengthen the WISPA Tour as well as public and media interest as we go forward - and hopefully support the momentum towards gaining a place in the Olympics programme," he added.