KARACHI: An eight-member Pakistan team leaves for London on Tuesday morning to participate in the World Youth Scrabble Championship (WYSC) being played in Birmingham from Dec 7-9.

The team comprises Javeria Salman, Javeria Mirza, Mariam Arif, Jahanzaib Khan, M. Inshal, Yash Gandhi and Arham Abidi.

Director Youth Programme, Mr Tariq Pervez, is the team leader and manager.

The team is depleted due to the absence of two of Pakistan’s best players as the experienced Shahzaib Khatri dropped out due to lack of funds while current number one player Moiz Baig didn’t get the UK visa.

Still despite the loss of the top two players, Mr Tariq was optimistic about the team’s chances at the world championship.

The team will play an intense warm up tournament on Sunday at Beach Luxury Hotel along with the top players in the country including the national champion Waseem Khatri. “It will prepare them well for the mega event,” hoped Mr Tariq.

Pakistan finished eighth at the 2010 WYSC and fifth in 2011.—Sports Reporter