LAHORE, Mar 22: Punjab Squash Association (PSA), has undertaken a challenging task of re-starting construction work on the international squash complex and in the first phase roofs on the six practice courts will be laid before August.

The Federal Government has released a grant of Rs 10 million to the Punjab Government to re-start the project on which the work was halted midway, nine years ago with the structure of the building raised to its walls. The complex is opposite near the national hockey stadium.

“Money is with the Sports Board Punjab and will be soon released to PSA after which the complex will be built in phases,” Lt-Gen Zarrar, president of the PSA told a news conference Thursday.

Azeem said, Rs 60 to 70 million are required to complete the modern complex which has six practice courts and one three glass wall main championship court besides having all necessary facilities required for an international complex.

He hoped the entire project will be completed in two to three years and with its completion Lahore will become hub of squash activities.

He said, PSA also plans to launch its squash academy in near future at its existing complex where five courts were recently renovated and in the new part of the complex three modern courts will be available for the use of the academy.

He said, the idea of hiring a foreign coach was also under consideration to run the academy on scientific lines.

PSA Chief emphasised the need for motivating squash bodies of the province and said collective efforts at grassroots level can yield productive results.

The PSA President said, the money generated from the sponsorship of the ongoing Pakistan Open Squash tournament will also be spent on the promotion of the squash.—APPs