The 20th staging of the KPMG League, one of the most highly anticipated events on the local squash calendar, will kick off tomorrow.

Close to 60 players will contest the team-based competition, that is distinguished by its handicap format which creates a level playing field across gender, age groups and skill levels. The unique seeding system ensures intensively competitive matches throughout the tournament and most players have a genuine shot at progressing through the ranks as the contest unfolds.

Defending champions, the Cereal Killers, will be looking for a repeat win, with All Jamaica Under 15 boys’ champion Tobias Levy heading the line-up. However, standing firmly in their way are last year’s runners-up, The Saints, as well as 2018 semi-finalists Stoneleigh Coffee, both of whom have refreshed their slates in a bid to go the distance this time around.

Another team to watch is former champions the Milex Eagles, whose roster includes former Caribbean Junior champions Akelia and Larissa Wiltshire as well as former All Jamaica Junior champion Tahjia Lumley. Then also in the mix are the newly formed Power Bolts, which features Junior National champions Savannah Thomson and Aman Dhiman, current holders of the Under-13 titles.

At a ceremony held at Liguanea Club over the weekend, KPMG handed over their $300,000 sponsorship contribution to officially launch the tournament.

President of the Jamaica Squash Association, Chris Hind, said: “The 20th anniversary of the KPMG League is a major milestone, as it cements KPMG’s position as one of the longest-standing supporters of Jamaican squash and it marks the continuation of a tournament that the entire squash community looks forward to contesting and supporting each year.”

Managing partner for KPMG in Jamaica, Tarun Handa added: “KPMG keeps coming back as sponsors because this tournament creates a huge amount of camaraderie. It’s one of the most outstanding competitions in terms of the quality of play, the sportsmanship, and the level of crowd support, and it continues to get bigger every year — and we’re pleased to align our brand with it.”

The 2019 KPMG Squash League is scheduled to run for six weeks. The four-week round robin competition will be followed by a three-stage knockout round and a plate competition. All matches will be played at the Liguanea Club in New Kingston on Tuesdays and Thursdays starting at 5:00 pm.