Bermuda's junior squash players will be handed the chance to test their skills against some of the best in the Americas later this month at the Bank of Bermuda Foundation Junior Open Squash Championships.

The event ? which will begin on March 31 and end two days later when the Virtual Spectator Bermuda Masters starts ? is to be sanctioned by the sport's governing body in the US, thereby attracting the region's top juniors in search of international ranking points.

The Junior Open has even attracted entrants from as far a field as South America, with Under 13 Colombian champion Daniel Peralta yesterday confirming his intention to compete.

"It should be a really good test for our youngsters who will have the advantage of playing at home," said local squash's national development coach Patrick Foster. "We usually have to travel abroad to play at events sanctioned by the United States Squash Racquets Association, but this tournament will give them a rare opportunity to pit their skills against overseas competition. We never quite know the strength of juniors coming from abroad, but we have our own quality players too."

These include the Under 19 Caribbean ladies champion Laura Robinson as well as highly-rated Under 15 national champion Kristian Muldoon.

Meanwhile Bank of Bermuda Foundation director David Lang said: "Squash is one of the healthiest of sports and we are delighted to sponsor this tournament which gives our own junior squash players an opportunity to compete on home soil against players from abroad."