KARACHI: After consistent efforts, international squash returns to Karachi following a long layoff when the city plays host to three mega competitions that run from Nov 20 to Dec 10.

According to details, the US$23,500 DHA Cup International Squash Championship for men’s and women’s will take place at the DA Creek Club from Nov 20 to 24. The men’s event carries a lucrative prize money of US$18,000 while US$5,500 has been set aside for women’s.

This will be followed by the prestigious US $73,000 Pakistan Open Squash Championship at the same venue from Nov 28 to Dec 2. According to prize money break-up, US$53,000 will be up for grabs in the men’s event while US$20,000 will be at stake in the women’s.

The 13th Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS) International Squash Championship for men’s marks the culmination of the series of events which is being played at Roshan Khan-Jahangir Khan Squash Complex from Dec 6 to 10. It will be a US$18,000 event.

“Participation of players from 17 foreign countries marks the revival of game in the metropolis that has served as a hub and had the honour of staging numerous international events including the World Open and World Team championships,” squash maestro Jahangir Khan told Dawn on Tuesday.

The nations whose players will be vying for honours include Egypt, Malaysia, Kuwait, Qatar, Hong Kong, Iran, Portugal, Sri Lanka, Mexico, France, Spain, England, Peru, the Czech Republic, Japan, Finland and the United States besides the hosts.

The former 10-time British Open champion who played a major role in return of international events attributed it to team work — the Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF), Pakistan Air Force, Pakistan Navy, DHA, Sindh Squash Association (SSA) among hosts of other.

It is pertinent to mention that international Pakistan Open has returned to the city after 13 years. Frenchman Thiery Lincou defeated David Palmer of Australia to win the Pakistan Open in the city in 2005.

Jahangir added that PAF will look after the security of foreign players.

According to him, Pakistan has been allowed to field two wildcards in the DHA, Pakistan Open and the CNS.

The squash legend expressed his gratitude to the PSF President Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan and senior vice-president Air Marshal Shahid Alvi for promotion of the game in the country.

Jahangir heads the organising committee which includes tournament director and SSA secretary Rashid Ahmed, director referees Tahir Khanzada, coordinator Shahjehan Salahuddin, Umer Bangash besides management of DHA PAF and Pakistan Navy.

The foreign players are expected to start arriving in the city from Monday and the glasswall squash courts at the DA Creek Club have been refurbished.

Published in Dawn, November 14th, 2018