RAWALPINDI: The inaugural Commissioner Rawal­pindi National Squash Championship, organised by the Rawalpindi-Islamabad Zonal Squash Association, begins on Tuesday here at the Benazir Bhutto Squash Complex.

Addressing a news conference at a local hotel on Monday, the office-bearers of the Zonal Squash Association including Sheikh Atif Ikram, Chaudhry Zaheer and former national coach Faheem Gul said that around 130 squash players will be seen contesting at the championships.

“The aim of this tournament is to groom the squash players for international matches to regain Pakistan’s lost glory in the sport,” Zaheer, vice president of Zonal Squash Association, said.

The championships will see events in three categories: Men’s Open, Women’s Open and the Boys’ U-17.

“Besides newcomers, leading national players namely Farhan Mahboob, Nasir Iqbal, Amir Atlas and Danish Atlas will also participate in the championships,” Faheem told Dawn.

“Almost all top players have sent their entries for the tournament. Let’s see how many of them participate ... the situation will be clearer tomorrow.”

Fahim, who is the referee for the tournament, added that qualifying rounds will be played on the first two days of the championships.

“The opening ceremony will be held on Dec 11 with the Rawalpindi Commis­sioner as chief guest and the final will be played three days later,” he informed.

Published in Dawn December 9th , 2014