LAHORE, Nov 22: Fifty players from six countries will take part in Pakistan Asian Satellite International badminton tournament, being held at Liaqat Gymnasium Hall, Islamabad from Nov 26 to 30.

India, Japan, Indonesia, Iran, Nepal and hosts Pakistan are competing in men's singles, doubles, ladies' singles, doubles and mixed doubles events. Pakistan Badminton Federation (PBF) secretary Aamir Hayat Khan Rokri stated that India would send a 14-member team of men and six ladies for this event, which was being held first time in the country.

The prize money of the tournament is $9,000. The Asian Badminton Confederation has paid $5,000 to PBF, he said. The International Badminton Federation (IBF) has graded the tournament "A grade" and its points would be included in world ranking, he said.

He said that Pakistan would field a 16-member team comprising mostly juniors as PBF wanted to give them international exposure. From among them, the best would be selected to take part in next year's Asian Junior championships, he said and added the federation was considering sending two top men and two junior players to Prakash Academy in Bangalore or to an academy in Indonesia for training.

Similarly, he said four men and two ladies would be sent to participate in the 15th Al-Fajr International to be held in Tehran from Feb 2 to 5 next year. A team of two ladies and four men would also participate in Asian championship to be held at New Delhi, next year, he added. The PBF would hire the services of foreign coach to hone the skills of the players, he concluded.