Lahore, Karachi to hold int’l squash events

ISLAMABAD: Following years of planning, efforts and wait, Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) has gone ahead to organise high prize money events in Lahore and Karachi apart from the capital city that has already been staging such events.

A well-placed source in the PSF has confirmed to The News that Professional Squash Association (PSA) has not only allowed Pakistan to stage international events in Lahore and Karachi, it also given go ahead to hold unlimited bigger prize money. “The doors of international squash have been set open for Pakistan as PSA in its latest communiqué has allowed PSF to host higher prize money events in Lahore and Karachi apart from Islamabad,” a PSF official when contacted said.

In another encouraging development for Pakistan squash the PSA has also allowed the country to host as many events as the federation likes in the prize money ranging from $ 20, 000 to $ 70,000. “Earlier, the PSA has pulled back the option of holding higher prize money events. Following recent efforts, negotiations and exchanges, the PSA has allowed Pakistan to host as many events as it likes. “It is a big achievement for Pakistan squash. Air Marshal Shahid Akhtar Alvi’s efforts finally brought positive results home. Karachi and Lahore have been cleared to stage international events. The two centres that had already hosted Pakistan Open on numerous times in the past would now restart hosting international events from the current year onward,” the official said.

He also expressed his happiness that the restriction on the number of events has also been lifted. “We have been communicated by the PSA that now there is no bar on Pakistan regarding hosting of international events of their choice till the time tight security measures are observed for foreign players and officials.”

Pakistan has already been maintaining high standard of security for all the sporting events including cricket and squash. “We have given security guarantee to PSA and World Squash Federation (WSF) that top notched security measures would be maintained as the federation had been doing in the past during all the events held in Islamabad.”

The PSA has conducted independent security recently alongside Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches held in Lahore and Karachi. “The independent security has cleared Karachi and Lahore, provided security measures remains the same that was there during PSL matches.”

When the PSF official was questioned as how many big prize money international events the federation plans this year, he said matter had already been referred to affiliated units. “We have sought consent from all the affiliated units including Army, Navy, four provinces, ZTBL and OGDC. It all depends on their willingness.

The only problem is that we have to communicate on the proposed tournament to PSA almost four months in advance. Chances are that we may go on to hold four to six events ranging from $ 20 thousand to $ 70 thousand including a women event this year. From next year onward the total numbers would be higher”

These tournaments would be apart from the six low prize money events that had already been allocated to Pakistan for domestic players. “Pakistan has already been allocated six PSA events (ranging from $ 5 to 10 thousand) that are meant for local players. Apart from these, four to six higher prize money events that would also be competed by foreign players would also be organized.”