ISLAMABAD Seven Pakistani junior squash players will participate in the upcoming British Junior Squash Championship to be held in Sheffield, England in the first week of January 2009.

An official of Pakistan Squash Federation told Dawn on Monday that junior players from Pakistan will participate in the under-15, under-17 and under-19 events.

Syed Ali Bokahri and Bilal Zakir will compete in the U-15 event while Danish Atlas and Nasir Iqbal will be seen in action in U-17 category.

Shoaib Hasan and Waqar Mehboob will participate in the U-19 category.

Maria Toor will participate in the U-19 girl's event.

The official added that all the players were selected after winning their respective category trial matches.

'Maria Toor was selected on her current performance and fitness' he said.

The official informed that national coach Faheem Gul and PSF Secretary Wing Commander Shamsul Haq will also accompany the team as coach and manager respectively in the international junior event.

National coach Faheem Gul when contacted to comment about the fitness level of the junior squad said, 'the team is fully fit and we have high hopes from the U-15 and U-17 players as they have the potential to produce good results.'

He pointed out that U-19 players were likely to face a tough fight from their opponents as world junior champion El Shorbagy from Egypt is also participating in the same category.

The junior squad will depart on December 30 from Islamabad.