LAHORE, Dec 12: Pakistan will host an international badminton tournament from Nov 1 to 6, 2004, which is expected to be participated by about ten countries, said Pakistan Badminton Federation (PBF) after a meeting on Thursday.

The meeting, presided over by PBF president Sayid Mohib Asad, also finalized a hectic schedule, under which an eight-member Pakistan men’s team is expected to participate in Thomas Cup competition to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from Feb 17 to 22.

A women’s team will contest in the 14th Farj International badminton event to be played at Tehran, Iran, from Feb 2 to 5.

Friendly matches between East Punjab (India) and Pakistan on home and away basis will be held in Oct, 2004, and the 48th national championship will be staged in Lahore in April, 2004. An all-Pakistan ranking tournament in Quetta in June and another in Peshawar in Dec will also be held.

Venu Gopal, development officer of Asian Badminton Confederation, will conduct a three-day oral and written test of Pakistan technical officials prior to SAF Games to be held at Islamabad in March-April, according to the finalized schedule.