HYDERABAD: The Pakistan Women’s Squash Champ­ionship 2021 will get under way at Hyderabad Gymkhana from Sunday in which 16 top ranked players would be participating. It would conclude on Tuesday. Hyderabad Gymkhana is organising the championship, according to secretary of the club Sajid Bhutto.

Sajid told the journalists in a media briefing at the local press club here on Friday that the women players will be provided best facilities during their stay in Hyderabad and would be properly taken care of. “The championship will help promote the sports culture in the city for which it is known historically,” said Sajid.

Dr Zulfikar Yousfani, convenor organising committee, said that opening ceremony will be held on Jan 17 where Sindh Sports Secretary Syed Imtiaz Shah will be the chief guest. He said the championship is registered with the United Kingdom-based Professional Squash Association (PSA), Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) and Sindh Squash Association (SSA) and it would be played on knock out basis. The final will be held on Jan 19.

Zulfikar further said it is a Pakistan level championship and hoped that this event would help revive sports activities in the city. “We are hopeful that this event will be a boost to sports activities in Hyderabad and will help revive cricket and other sporting events here. People want to see restoration of cricket at Hyderabad’s Niaz Stadium and are keen to see Pakistan Super League (PSL) matches getting staged here,” Zulfikar concluded.

Published in Dawn, January 16th, 2021