August 21, 2008	Thursday	Sha'aban 18, 1429

TAXILA, Aug 20: The fourth POF-Women’s International Squash Players Association (WISPA) Championship 2008 began at the Jahangir Khan Squash Complex Pakistan Ordnance Factories (POF) Wah Cantonment on Wednesday.

Briefing the media about the tournament at a press conference, at POF Hotel on Wednesday, President Pakistan Ordnance Factories Sports Control Board (POFSCB) Akbar Marjan said six foreign players and fifteen Pakistani players were participating in the tournament.

Those vying for honours include Australian Lisa Camilleri, World No 41, who is the top seed of the event, (71) Fiona Moverley (England), (119) Nouran El Torkey (Egypt), (142) Padbod (Iran), (190) Kenzy Emad El-Defrawy (Egypt) and (196) Irina Assal (Russia).

He further pointed out that Pakistan No 1 and World No 67 Maria Toor is the second seed of the championship. Pakistan’s Muqadas Ashraf (107), Zoya Khalid (146), Rushna Mehboob (150) and Saima Shoukat (150) are among the top 10 of the main draw.

He said that the tournament carries prize money of 10,900 US dollars.

Responding to a question he said that the entry of the foreign players has increased in this tournament.

Elaborating about the tournament, he said that the main round would be held on Thursday and Friday while both the semi-finals would be played on Saturday.

The final is scheduled for Sunday in which Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mehmood Ahmed would be the chief guest.

Akbar stressed that foolproof security would be provided to all the participants especially the foreigners.

He specified that that Women’s International Squash Players Association (WISPA) is the body responsible of looking after the affairs of women’s squash around the globe.

More than 200 countries of the squash federations are members of this London-based organisation. He said that women players under the banner of WISPA are participating in World Championships, Asian Games and Commonwealth Games.

Akbar added that Pakistan is the home of squash and has won laurels in men’s squash and hosting a women’s event in Pakistan is to groom the women players here so that Pakistan could revive its past glory in the game both in the men as well as women’s category.

The qualifying round was held at the Jahangir Khan Squash Complex on Wednesday in which Mehwish Hanif beat Riffat, Habiba Khan beat Milha, Gull Zaman beat Andleeb and Zeba Pervaiz beat Amna to go into the main round where they would compete with international players.