22 January 2004	Thursday	29 Ziqa'ad 1424

ISLAMABAD, Jan 21: The Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) has asked the sports ministry to help release a special grant of Rs 30 million announced by the Prime Minister last year for the Mushaf Complex in Islamabad.

"We have dispatched a summary to the ministry apprising them of the progress that has been made on the project," Wing Cdr. Sajid Waheed, secretary of the PSF told Dawn on Wednesday.

"Payments of Rs 20 million for combi courts and other civil works from our own sources have been made and now we want more money so that everything is completed in time," Sajid said.

The PSF plans to stage the World Junior championship this August at the new complex which will become part of the existing Roshan Khan courts. The project, to be completed by April this year, has now reached the roofing stage and combi courts purchased from Germany have arrived in Karachi, Sajid said. "In 10 days the courts will reach Islamabad." A four-side glass wall court for the complex at a cost of Rs 9million was procured earlier.

While it has now become almost mandatory that all major international events be played in all-glass courts, the World Squash Federation (WSF) also wants member countries to have facilities for doubles.

Once completed, the complex which is named after the former president of PSF Air Chief Marshal Mushaf Ali Mir who died in a plane crash last year, will be the biggest in Asia.

The architectural design of the complex provides for big gates for dismantling/installation and transportation of the all- glass court for use elsewhere.

Meanwhile upgradation work on Peshawar's Hashim Khan and Abbottabad Complexes is also on. "Backside glass walls are to be put up in five of the courts in Peshawar while two wooden floors will be added," Sajid said. "One arena will be made a championship court."

Similarly in Abbottabad a championship court is to be made besides accommodation of four rooms for players and officials at a cost of Rs 13million.

The Liaquat Bagh courts in Rawalpindi are also to be upgraded with funds already earmarked. A meeting between top officials of the PSF and the district management is to be held on Friday to decide who will have the administrative control of the courts. A sum of Rs 30 million is to be spent on the projects in Peshawar, Abbottabad, Rawalpindi and Quetta.