Fate of Pak Open Squash hangs in the balance

ISLAMABAD: The prestigious Pakistan Open Squash 2020’s fate hangs in balance as luring sponsors becomes a difficult proposition for the organisers amid economic crunch. At the start of the season, Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) had announced holding the Open in Karachi with the help and support of former great Jahangir Khan.

The Open was scheduled to be held in February or March 2020 but due to lack of interest by sponsors, it is now highly unlikely that the Pakistan Open could well be organized in the first half of the year as was planned.

Jahangir Khan who was given the responsibility to organise the mega event when approached admitted that he was finding it hard to attract the required sponsorship for the big event. “Look, it is one of the major events on the squash calendar and you need major sponsors to get things moving. It is not $ 10 or $ 20 thousand tournament, it is one of the major events and as such requires big amount. You need 60 to 70 thousand dollars plus other support to hold such a prestigious event in a befitting manner. I have been trying hard to lure sponsors but to no avail. Though my efforts are still on, I am not sure at this point of time as when I would succeed,” Jahangir said while talking to The News. The former world and British Open champion said he had made his best efforts to get things moving. “Everyone knows well that country is going through an economic crunch and asking sponsors to set aside such a huge amount is not all that easy. I have tried hard and have met leading sponsors in recent times but am not getting positive signs. My efforts are on and as soon as I succeed in getting any reasonable sponsors, I would go on to organize the Open.”

Jahangir at the same time also threw the ball in the PSF court, saying that if federation had any connections, they should come forward. “Look I organise the Open last year with immense success and I want to do it this fall also. The offer is very much open for the federation and if PSF wants to organize the Open, they can do that. Working for the promotion of the game is a collective responsibility but the onus is more on the federation. If I am not getting positive response from the sponsors, the PSF must come forward this year and hold the event according to its whims and wishes,” Jahangir said.

When asked whether he had intimated PSF about that he confirmed talking to PSF officials. “Yes, I have communicated to PSF that if federation wants to organize the Open and if they can locate sponsors they should come forward. It is rather easier for the federation to lure sponsors and organize the Open.”

All these years, the PSF has been complaining of not getting the hosting rights of the leading mega events but when the opportunity finally comes, there seems a complete stalemate. One wonders whether at all we would see the Open to be held in the country in 2020.