September 09, 2007	Sunday	Sha'aban 26, 1428

KARACHI, Sept 8: Egypt’s world No 11 and top seed Karim Darwish recaptured Chief of the Naval Staff International Squash title, inflicting straight defeat on seventh seeded home player Farhan Mehboob on Saturday.

He took just 38 minutes to post 11-7, 11-8, 11-7 victory against the promising Peshawar player in the final at the PN Roshan-Jahangir Squash Complex.

Karim had beaten Mohammad Abbas in the all-Egypt final to land the previous crown in 2002.

With the exception of inaugural edition in 2000, the title has eluded Pakistan on the past seven occasions.

“It’s an honour to win the title on Pakistan soil which has produced a galaxy of stars,” a jubilant Karim told reporters after the final.

On course up to the final, he edged Tony James (Australia) in the opener, Shahid Zaman in quarter-final and qualifier Yasir Butt in semi-final.

Farhan, on the other hand, pulled two major upsets when he eliminated better ranked fellow countrymen Aamir Atlas Khan (quarter-final) and Mansoor Zaman (semi-final).

Playing his first final of the CNS squash, Farhan though put up resistance but bowed down due to lack of experience.

The 18-year-old Farhan, whose world ranking slipped to 54 due to injury, leaves for London next week to appear in British Open as a qualifier. He aims to come into top 30 soon.

Karim received a winning purse of US $3,971 and a glittering trophy while Farhan got richer by US $ 2,717 in addition to runner-up trophy from chief guest Vice Admiral Noman Bashir, Commander, Pakistan Fleet (COMPAK).

The senior vice-president of Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) Air Vice Marshal Asim Suleiman, who was also present on the occasion, wasted no time in announcing an additional Rs100,000 for Farhan and Rs25,000 apiece for losing finalists Yasir and Mansoor.

Meanwhile, a large number of guests including journalists and photographers were denied entry into the complex by the security sleuths who shut the main gate and refused to open it despite repeated requests.

The act of high-handedness from the security officials left a bad taste in the mouth on the final day of this high profile championship and warrants an immediate inquiry from the concerned quarters.

Result:

Final: Karim Darwish (Egy) bt Farhan Mehboob (Pak) 11-7, 11-8, 11-7.