17 April 2005	Sunday	07 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1426

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KARACHI, April 16: The international squash community has no objection on Pakistan Squash Federation’s (PSF) plan to host the 2005 Pakistan Open in Karachi, a PSF official said on Saturday.

PSF Secretary Wing Comdr. Zulfiqar Ahmed told the media on Saturday that the Professional Squash Association (PSA) had approved the dates for the Pakistan Open without raising any objections over any issue including security. The US$85,000 tournament, a PSA Super Series event, would be played in Karachi from July 15 to 22.

The PSF was initially reluctant in staging the prestigious tournament in Karachi because of security concerns.

In fact the security threat is one of the major reason why Karachi, once the biggest squash centre of the country, has not played host to the Pakistan Open or any other major international squash tournament since 1999.

However, after international cricket and hockey matches were played in the city during the last couple of years, the PSF decided to go ahead with their plans to bring back the Pakistan Open.

The PSF Secretary said that Pakistan would assure foolproof security measures for the visiting players and officials of the tournament.

Zulfiqar said that efforts were being made to bring the DHA Asif Nawaz Squash Complex in Karachi in best shape ahead of the Pakistan Open.

The championship court of the complex needs renovation and the PSF official was confident that the concerned authorities would make the facility ready for international action ahead of the June deadline.

Some of the world’s top players are likely to compete in the Pakistan Open, which would be one of the most lucrative events of the World Squash Tour this year.—PPI