BERMUDA'S James Stout has been given a wild card entry into the biggest squash tournament on the planet ¿ the Endurance World Open which will be played in Bermuda next month on an all-glass court at the Fairmont Southampton Princess.

Stout will be first player on court following the opening ceremony on November 25 and he will be up against it as he plays Mohammed Abbas of Egypt who is ranked 15 in the world.

And four other players in Bermuda will have the chance to get into the main draw after they were allowed to compete in the qualifying before the tournament.

Announcing the draw yesterday was tournament director Ross Triffitt who said: "We are delighted to announce that literally all of the world's top players are competing in the World Open, with the exception of just one player who has had to withdraw because of an injury. Our seedings are based on the players' rankings as of October 1, and the top 23 players as of that date are included in the main draw.

"The only other player to gain automatic entry into the main draw of 24 is our own wild-card entry. After careful consideration we have chosen James Stout to represent Bermuda. James is presently working as squash professional and coach at the New York Racket Club, one of the most prestigious squash cubs in the world. "

At the qualifying tournament to be held just prior to the main event, Triffitt said that eight players will end up joining the 24 players in the main draw.

"A total of 32 players will be battling it out for these eight qualifying spots. This will be an exceptionally tough field, consisting of the next 24 players in the world rankings ¿ ranging from the world number 27 to world number 55 ¿ together with four of our top local players, and four players invited by the World Squash Federation (WSF)."

The four from Bermuda are Patrick Foster, Bermuda's National Development Coach and National Champion, Nick Kyme who recently left the professional squash circuit and is a former Caribbean Champion, Chase Toogood, and Melrindo Caines who has been representing Bermuda since competing in the World Junior Championships in Hong Kong in 1992.

"The final four places in the qualifying tournament are reserved for four World Squash Federation invitees who are chosen because they are the national number one players from their respective countries, and those are all countries which do not have a player in either the main draw or the qualifying draw. These invitees are from Sweden, South Africa, Hong Kong, and Denmark.

"This is a truly World Open Championship with over 50 players from 25 countries spread across six continents coming to Bermuda to compete in the Endurance World Open," said Triffitt.

The tournament runs from November 25 to December 1 and the players will be competing for $175,000 in prize money.

Triffitt said: "This is the final phase of the biggest contract in the history of squash, which has seen Bermuda hosting the PSA Masters for the past two years." Heading the line-up is Amr Shabana of Egypt who made history in Bermuda when he took over the world's top ranking last April after winning the Virtual Spectator PSA Masters 2006. He has remained at number one since his victory in Bermuda.

"Shabana will certainly be challenged by the current World Open champion, David Palmer of Australia who also resides here in Bermuda when he's not on the circuit," said Triffitt adding that other strong contenders for the title will include world number three Greg Gaultier and world number six Thierry Lincou, both from France ¿ and both of whom just reached the final of the British Open.

There is a strong English contingent led by James Willstrop (world number five) and world number seven John White of Scotland.

"And the new wonderboy of squash, world number two Ramy Ashour of Egypt who has recorded victories against literally all of the world's top players ¿ with the exception of Greg Gaultier, will be here."

The Endurance World Open Bermuda 2007 Championship will draw extensive global coverage, including presence from Reuters, BBC World, NBC News, Fox Australia and Orbit ESPN. TV coverage will be provided to potential viewers totalling up to 2.1 billion worldwide who will be provided with unique opportunity to see Bermuda at its best while watching the world's greatest squash players in action.

"We can promise you a feast of squash from start to finish," added Triffitt.

For more information about the Endurance World Open Bermuda 2007 Squash Championships check their website at www.squashworldopen.com