ISLAMABAD, July 8: The 6th Hashim Khan National Junior Squash Championship that opens later this month in Wah will see for the first time girls competing in the event alongside the boys.

The Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) has now decided to encourage the female players who in the past have not had enough squash to play.

“Previously there was just one tournament being held for girls - the PC Bhurban Championship, but now we intend to give more opportunities to the girls,” PSF secretary Sqd. Ldr. Sajid Waheed said Monday.

Squash in Pakistan has been the domain of men but now, Sajid said that the women would be given every chance to make the top grade. It is with this mindset that the PSF is introducing a girls event in the championship which will only have a main draw of 16 running between July 27 and 29.

The boys event will get under way with the two day qualifiers on July 24 and 25 followed by the main round starting on the 26th.

A prize money of Rs 150,000 is on offer for the boys in the four different age groups (U-13, U-15, U-17, U-19). The girls too can scoop up cash with Rs 50,000 up for grabs in the age brackets of U-13, U-15, U-17 and U-19.