KARACHI, Nov 23: In a bid to promote squash in the nations struggling to popularise the game, World Squash Federation (WSF) and the Professional Squash Association (PSA) have invited five players ranked below the top 100 for next month’s World Open in Lahore.

The five players belong to Europe and Africa and will compete in the $170,000 World Open squash championship in Lahore as the result of a co-operation between the WSF and the PSA.

The players from Hungary, Yugoslavia, Italy, Germany and South Africa have been allowed to take part in qualifying round after which eight will qualify for the main round which starts from Dec 14 to 21.

The qualifying round will be played on Dec 12 and 13.

“The WSF and PSA work closely together to ensure that all WSF member nations have the opportunity to showcase their top players in the premier men’s individual championship of the year,” said WSF chief executive Ted Wallbutton.

The players who will be having opportunity to feature in the prestigious event are; Mark Krajcsak (Hungary, ranked 254), Andrea Capella (Italy, 155), Stefan Leifels (Germany, 110), Ivan Djordjevic (Yugoslavia, 274), and Adrian Hansen (South Africa, unranked).—PPI