LAHORE, July 24: Twelve teams, comprising all top players of the country will vie for the top honours in the first national squash team championship-2003 which begins at the Punjab Squash Complex from Friday. The final will be played on July 29.

The teams are Pakistan International Airlines, (PIA), Mari Gas, Pakistan Air Force (PAF), Army, NWFP, Sindh, CAA, Punjab, Balochsitan, Railways, Navy and UGC.

Unfolding the details of the championship, chairman Punjab Squash Association Lt. Gen. Zarar Azeem said at a press conference on Thursday that the teams had been divided into two groups.

He said that the championship was also a source for the national selection committee to pick up the best side for the forthcoming World team championship to be held in Vienna, Austria in October this year.

Later, Khawer Irfan of Slazenger handed over a cheque of Rs 300,000 to Zarar as sponsorship amount.