June 20, 2002	Thursday	Rabi-us-Sani 8, 1423

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ISLAMABAD, June 19: Doubts of the Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) that some of its players would become overage for this year’s World Junior Championship if it were to be put back, have been removed by the game’s international governing body.

The World Squash Federation (WSF) responding to a query of the PSF has said that all its players could compete in the under-19 championship even if it were to take place as late as December this year.

The championship was to take place in the Indian city of Chennai from August 13 to 24 but as tensions between nuclear rivals India and Pakistan rose, the PSF felt that its players could be at risk playing in India. Therefore they requested the WSF in May to move the event to some other country in Asia.

However, with tensions now having eased somewhat, there are indications that WSF may not announce a new venue but could reschedule the tournament for a later date, a move that could also render some of the players of the other participating countries ineligible because of age.

Meanwhile, the trials to select a team for the championship began in Islamabad Wednesday. Majid Khan, Khayal Mohammad and Naseem Tehakali are some of the prominent players attending the trials.