ISLAMABAD, March 6 Pakistan sports on Friday suffered another blow as the Professional Squash Association postponed the upcoming COAS International Squash Championship citing security concerns for the foreign players.
The championship was scheduled to be held in April this year at the Mushaf Squash Complex — Islamabad.
The COAS championship has been a major attraction for many foreign top seeded players since the last six years.
In an official statement the PSA Chief Executive Officer Alex Gough informed their members that following the recent attack on the Sri Lankan cricket team in Lahore, the PSA acted speedily to postpone the next major PSA event to be staged in Pakistan.
Six police commandos were killed and at least two Sri Lankan players were injured when gunmen attacked vehicles carrying the visiting team in Lahore on Tuesday.
Gough pointed out “On behalf of everyone associated with squash we have passed our deepest regrets to all at PSA following the frightening event involving the Sri Lankan cricket team that has just occurred in Lahore.”
Gough further added “In the light of this occurrence, and the fact that it specifically targeted 'non-nationals' that were under protective guard, it is with deep regret that the PSA are going to have to postpone the COAS International in Islamabad and going forward we have to review the registration of any upcoming events in Pakistan.”
Players from England, New Zealand, Egypt, India, England and Spain were to feature in the international event.
Amir Atlas was the defending champion of upcoming COAS International Squash Championship as he defeated Malaysian player Ong Bang Hee in last event.
However, despite the current postponement of the international event the PSF top brass had already said that they were not considering any neutral venues despite security concerns.
In a recent media interaction the president Pakistan Squash Federation, Chief of Air Staff Tanvir Mehmood Ahmed, said “The PSF is not looking for avenues beyond Pakistan for hosting the international events.”
Meanwhile, when an PSF official was contacted to comment on the sudden decision of the PSA to postpone the international championship, he said “We are evaluating the situation.”
