KARACHI, Jan 6: The United States Embassy in Islamabad has denied visas to Pakistan’s squash players thus depriving them of the chance to compete in the US Open squash championship, an official said Sunday.

“It’s a setback for Pakistan players — Mansoor Zaman and Shahid Zman — that both were denied visas by US Embassy in Islamabad despite showing them invitation from Players Squash Association,” Qamar Zaman, vice-president of Asian Squash Federation, told SADA.

“I will write a protest letter to the US Ambassador that even after showing them invitation to compete at an international event they were denied visas,” he said.

Qamar, a former British open champion, said Pakistan players would have gained valuable points from the event.

“Mansoor is my son and Shahid is my nephew and I am former world champion, it’s a pity that they meted out such treatment to us,” he said.

Zaman said Mansoor has informed the PSA and hoped that he would not get zero ranking points after submitting his entry.

“The year starters are good for Pakistani players as Europeans are relaxed after the new year’s festivities,” Zaman said.

The US Open was earlier postponed in the aftermath of the September 11 attacks on the US.

The event commences in Boston from Monday with the qualifying rounds completed Saturday.

World number one Peter Nicol will start the event as favorite, but faces tough challenge from defending champion Jonathan Power and last year’s runners-up Simon Parke.

Parke, from the UK, came through the qualifying rounds along with Shahier Razik of Canada, Joseph Kneipp of Australia and Stefan Casteleyn of Belgium.—SADA