KARACHI, July 24: National squash officials are hoping to get a positive response within the next couple of days from the Professional Squash Association (PSA) regarding their bid to host the 2004 edition of the prestigious World Open Squash Championship.

A top Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) official said on Thursday that so far the response from the representatives of the Cardiff-based PSA has been very encouraging and chances were bright that the association will sanction the tournament to Pakistan.

Air Marshal Raashid Kaleem, Senior Vice President of the PSF, said that he was expecting a final answer from the PSA by the end of this week.

Pakistan had sent a comprehensive bid to the PSA - the governing body of the game at the international professional level - to host next year’s World Open.

According to the bid, Pakistan was ready to offer a lucrative prize purse of US$150,000 for the World Open, ensuring it to be the biggest professional event of the international squash circuit. In addition to that the PSF has assured the PSA of foolproof security arrangement for the visiting players and officials if the World Open is granted to Pakistan.

Raashid said that initial correspondence with PSA has been very positive and chances are bright that the association will award the hosting rights of the showpiece event of the world squash circuit to Pakistan soon.

Pakistan has played host to the World Open twice during the last ten years, in 1993 and 1996 in Karachi.

But if Pakistan are awarded the 2004 World Open, it will most likely be held in either Lahore or Islamabad.

Lahore has in recent years established itself as a major squash centre by successfully organising a number of major national and international events including the prestigious Pakistan Open.

Islamabad can also be chosen as the venue of the World Open because of the establishing a new sports complex named after the late Pakistan Air Force chief and former PSF President Air Chief Marshal Mushaf Ali Mir.

The complex is being established to host the 2004 World Men’s Junior Team Championships to be held next August.—PPI