19 December 2004	Sunday	06 Ziqa'ad 1425

LAHORE, Dec 18: The Pakistan Badminton Federation (PBF) has decided to field its men and women teams in three International tournaments to be held next year.

PBF secretary Aamer Hayat Khan Rokhari, said on Saturday that a six-member team would take part in the first women's competition of Islamic countries being held at Tehran from Jan 22 to 27. Later, a men's team would feature in the 15th Al-Fajr International tournament to be staged from Feb 2 to 5.

Pakistan had participated in the last two editions of the Al-Fajr competition. The secretary said that Pakistan would also compete in Sudirman world team championships to be held in Beijing, China, from May 10 to 15 as it would help the players to improve their international ranking.

Rokhari, said it had also been decided to send two junior (U-20) players, a boy and a girl, with the seniors teams to Iran to give them international exposure. "It will help Pakistan prepare strong teams for the forthcoming Colombo SAF Games," he said.

The Games are scheduled to be held from Aug 15.

He said in addition to preparing strong teams for SAF Games, the PBF was working on a plan to send a male and female player for advanced training at the International Badminton Federation centre in Germany. The world body would provide boarding and lodging facilities while the PBF would bear the travelling.

He pointed out that Sri Lanka had earmarked an amount equal to Pakistan rupees five million to prepare its badminton team for the SAF Games.

He said though the Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) had increased the PBF annual grant by three times, the federation had approached the board to provide funding to hire a good International coach for one year.

He said a foreign coach was not available for less than US $2,000 per month. He hoped the PBF would get its due share from the PSB because of its exceptional performance during the last two years.