ISLAMABAD, July 11 The Federal Sports Ministry on Saturday issued a No-Objection-Certificate (NOC) to five-member Pakistani squad for participation in the upcoming Asian U-19 Badminton Championship.

The event is scheduled to be held from July 12 to 19 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The squad will be leaving on Sunday.

“Four players and an official will be travelling to Malaysia on a tour sponsored by the federation,” Pakistan Badminton Federation secretary Aamir Hayat Khan Rokhri told Dawn.

“Besides participation in the championship, the players will undergo 17-day training under Malaysian coaches.”

The players, he said, would also have the opportunity to play against top Malaysian players.

He pointed out, “The international tour will give them [players] courage and the much-needed exposure.”

Squad

Players Mohammad Irfan Saeed, Awais Zahid, Azeem Sarwar, Taimur Arab.

Manager Imtiaz Gill