09 January 2004	Friday	16 Ziqa'ad 1424

LAHORE, Jan 8: Over 200 players from 15 teams will feature in the 47th national badminton championship to be held at Iqbal Park Sports Complex from Jan 11 to 18.

Besides the four provinces, Allied Bank, PTCL, New Khan, PMAD, KESC, Wapda, Railways, Army, Fata, Northern Areas and Azad Jammu and Kashmir will participate in the championship.

Outlining the details of the championship, Pakistan Badminton Federation (PBF) secretary, Aamer Hayat Khan Rokri, who is alsochairman organising committee, explained that besides team events, singles and doubles competition for men, women and veterans will also be held.

Mixed doubles will also be played. Aamir specified that this would be the first time that cash prizes of Rs 175,000 would be distributed among the top players, with the men's singles winner receiving Rs 20,000.

He said that Fata, Northern Areas and Azad Jammu and Kashmir were sending their teams for the first time. Speaking about the PBF programme, Aamir stated that Pakistan Satellite International Badminton Tournament, with a purse of $ 8500 would be held at Islamabad from Nov 1 to 6.

At least, ten countries were expected to participate in this "A" Grade tournament which will carry points for world ranking. Futhermore, a six-member men's team will participate in the Asian badminton championship to be held at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia soon after the ninth SAF Games.

A four-member Under-19 team will also compete in the Asian Junior Championship to be staged at Colombo, Sri Lanka in July, this year. Pakistan will also take part in Thomas Cup Asian Zone, after a lapse of six years.

An eight-member men's team along with two officials will compete in that competition in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from Feb 17 to 22 this year. Twelve countries of Asia are participating.

Similarly, a six-member ladies team along with two officials will take part in the 14th Al-Fajr International Badminton tournament to be held in Tehran, Iran from Feb 2 to 5.