ISLAMABAD, May 6: As many as 20 countries have so far agreed to compete in this August's World Junior squash championship in Islamabad, officials said on Thursday.

Secretary of the Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) Wng. Cdr Sajid Waheed told Dawn that all the major European countries and top Asian nations had confirmed their participation.

"We expect to have a total of 24 countries in all as there is still time for the entries to close," Sajid said. The Aug 16 to 27 championship to be held at the new Mushaf Squash Complex which is now nearing completion, will see the finest upcoming players from across the world competing for honours.

The World Squash Federation (WSF) has nominated Pakistan's Fahim Gul as the tournament referee on the recommendation of PSF. Four world referees are to be named shortly. Fahim, who has now returned from a long coaching stint in Singapore is a respected figure on the squash circuit.

His younger Jamshed Gul who until recently was coaching in Malaysia is now training the Pakistan senior team, his immediate task being next month's Asian Championship in Kuala Lumpur.

The juniors on the other hand are preparing for the Islamabad championship under Rehmat Khan. "Our preparations are on track but the only thing is that we want the players to play some kind of a league abroad before the world event," Rehmat said.

The PSF is said to be communicating with their counterparts in England in this regard. "The Asian Junior Championship in Nepal this month could have given us a good exposure but the event has now been cancelled."