Pakistan, Egypt squash series in jeopardy

KARACHI: The bilateral series between top Egyptian squash players and Pakistani players is in jeopardy as main sponsors of the event have backed out.

It has been learnt that Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) is in trouble as major sponsors they had found for the event have backed out and now it is looking for other sponsors.

“A top PSF official called me today to once again provide them the sponsors we arranged for the series earlier. When I asked what happened to their own sponsors, the official said they backed out,” said a source involved in this project.

The source added that they provided PSF with the title sponsors for the series but they declined and joined hands with the organisers of Pakistan Super League (PSL), a cricket event.

“PSF was closely working with Salman Sarwar Butt and they held a press conference in this regard at PAF museum earlier this month but it seems they have parted their ways now,” said the source.

“We are helping them find new sponsors and hopefully they will organise this event,” said the source, adding that they had to arrange good sponsorship since Egyptian players had shown concerns over low prize money PSF offered to them.

The source added that one of the Egyptian players coming to Pakistan had shown concerns over the low prize money.

“PSF has to work on war footing to resolve these issues to make this event a success,” said the source.

PSF secretary and other officials were not available for comments.  Some of the top Egypt squash players and their Pakistani counterparts will be in action in the Legends versus Champions series to be held here at PAF Museum from April 5 to 7.

PSF has termed the event a “milestone on the road to reviving the sport” that made Pakistan proud for more than four decades. Besides the series, a squash carnival will also be held on April 4.

PSF earlier this month stated that it had joined hands with the top sports management professionals who organised PSL.

The PSF also announced that ten-time British Open champion Jahangir Khan and other squash legends had endorsed the event.