Micah Franklin says it will be “an honour” to showcase his talents against some of the world’s elite at next month’s Legends of Squash at the Bermuda Squash Rackets Association in Devonshire.

The three-times national champion is among the eight-man draw featuring seven players who were either former individual or team world champions or world No 1 — including defending Legends title-holder David Palmer, who won the World Open in 2002 and 2006.

“I can’t quite believe the names on the draw sheet next to my own,” Franklin, who retained his national title last week, said. “These players are quite literally idols to me and all the other young players coming through and it’s an honour to be asked to be part of the event.”

Franklin has enjoyed a stellar season, that saw him reach his first Professional Squash Association Tour final.

The remaining field includes 1998 world champion Jonathon Power, from Canada; England’s Peter Nicol (the 1999 world champion), Simon Parke (1995 and 1997 world team champion) and Lee Beachill (2005 and 2007 world team champion). Making his debut this year is megastar Peter Marshall, a 1997 world team champion who finished runner-up to eight-times world champion Jansher Khan in the 1994 World Open.

“It’s a really interesting situation where I’m obviously a few years younger and training full time to perform at the best level I can,” Franklin said. “I’m fit and improving all the time so hoping to be able to pull off some major wins.

“It is a daunting prospect though; each of my opponents is actually a World Champion ... in Palmer’s case a double World Champion. I’m just going to go for it and hope the crowd can boost me to a big win.”

The Legends of Squash event is now in its fourth year and stands as the pinnacle Legends event in the world, attracting the largest field of former world champions and providing a tantalising week of squash for local enthusiasts.

“On top of four amazing matches every night we have a number of opportunities for young players to get on court with the Legends both at the BSRA and at official tournament hotel Coral Beach Club,” BSRA director and event organiser Patrick Foster said. “We will be hosting clinics and lessons at the BSRA through the week and each evening the players will be accessible to all spectators wishing to meet their squash heroes and chat about squash.”

The tournament runs from April 18-21 with tickets available exclusively at the BSRA.

For further information on the Legends of Squash visit http://bermudasquash.com/legends/