Foreign squash players term Pak security, facilities best

ISLAMABAD: Foreign players who have started arriving in the city for back-to-back international events termed atmosphere, security and facilities as the best they have seen anywhere in the world.

As many as nine foreigners have so far reached Islamabad Friday out of 33 men and women players drawn to compete in CAS Open, Women International and Serena Hotels-Huawei International Squash all to be contested within a space of first ten days of April at the Mushaf Ali Mir Complex Islamabad.

Pakistan is the only squash playing country in the world that offers free boarding and lodging and that too in a top class hotel of the city.“Yes, we never receive such treatment anywhere else except for Pakistan. It is always been nice and comfortable to compete and stay in Islamabad. I have to admit it that city of Islamabad provides the best squash playing facilities when we compare it from other countries,” Egyptian world No 74 Mohamed Elsherbini when approached said.

After arriving in Islamabad he along with other foreign had their practice matches. “The courts are nice and of highest quality. The weather is good here and on top of all this the free boarding and lodging have no match. Surely Pakistan is above rest of the world,” he said. Besides Pakistan, a large number of international players from Egypt, Iran, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Spain, Czech Republic, Ireland, South Korea, Switzerland, South Africa, Belgium, Germany, Scotland and Zimbabwe have confirmed their participation.

Carlos Cornes Ribadas, the world No 81 Egyptian said he was too excited to be here. “I think Pakistan is one of the best places to be in for squash. Nowhere in the world have we find such hospitality. Security wise there has never been a problem in Islamabad. We would be having very competitive next week,” he said.

He said Pakistan had s history of squash. “No country in the world is known more for the game than Pakistan. The country has the history of producing world beater. Jansher Khan and Jahangir have always rated as the best the game has produced.”

Seventeen foreign players are to compete in the CAS Open and it would be followed by Serena Hotels-Huawei International Open that would see 13 foreigners including three from the CAS International. Seven women foreign players are also scheduled to compete in the International meant for female players.