Tayyab, Ashab, Abbas, Fahad in National Junior Squash semis

LAHORE: Tayyab Rauf, Ashab Irfan, Abbas Nawaz and Fahad Sharif breezed into the Under-17 semifinals of the first Aitchison College National Junior Squash Championship after winning their respective matches, here on Thursday at Aitchison College courts.

Principal Aitchison College Michael Alester Thomson was the chief guest on the occasion and witnessed matches. Also present were tournament Director M Mansoor and former world number two squash player, Gogi Alauddin and a large number of fans.

In the U-17 quarterfinals, Tayyab outplayed Asadullah 7/11, 7/11, 11/5, 11/5, 11/7, Ashab outstroked Huzaifa Zahid 11/13, 11/2, 11/7, 11/3, Abbad routed Khaqan Malik 11/4, 11/8, 11/9, Fahad defeaed Hammad Khan 3/11, 11/6, 11/7, 11/5.

In the U-15 quarterfinals, Anas Bukhari, Usman Nadeem, M Ammad, M Hanif posted victories to sail into the last four. Anas outplaced, Azlan Khawar 11/6, 11/6, 2/11, 11/8, Usman prevailed over Huzaifa Zahid 11/13, 11/2, 11/7, 11/3, Abbas eliminated Kh Malik 11/4, 11/8, 11/9 and Fahad proved too good for Hammad Khan 3/11, 11/6, 11/7.

APP adds: Michael Alester Thomson said his institution was laying special emphasis on the promotion of sports by organizing regular sports events in various disciplines.

He said the inaugural squash tournament was a step forward to motivate the college players to take up squash as a sport and to find new talent.“We will hold squash tournament on annual basis to contribute in identifying new squash talent,” he said.

The tournament director, M Mansoor highlighted the importance of the tournament and termed it is a right step to unearth new talent. “Punjab Squash Association is playing its role in the further development of game and with the holding of this tournament new talent will be noticed to form national junior team,” he said adding “We are thankful to the Aitchison college management for organizing this event to benefit squash at grass root level,” he said.