ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Squash Federation on Tuesday said two countries have shown their willingness to play international club championship in Pakistan this year despite the fragile law and order situation in the country.

The senior-vice president of the PSF, AVM Razi Nawab, while briefing the media, said: “Egypt and Kuwait have shown their interest in playing international club league championship and top players from these countries will test their mettle at local courts, giving the much-needed exposure to local players.”

Pakistan has failed to host any major international tournament since the Sri Lankan cricket team was attacked in Lahore in 2009.

He said PSF officials would be visiting England this year and call on president of the Professional Squash Association, Alex Gough, requesting him to open avenues for the federation to host international events.

“Jansher Khan was also being requested by the federation to help it convince international players to play in Pakistan. Jansher’s heroic past record is a great advantage for the PSF,” he maintained.

Over a consideration for playing at the neutral venues mainly because of security fears raised by the foreign players, he said: “There are pros and cons linked with a neutral venue but we will definitely consider playing at neutral venues but it will take some time.”

He added the federation had high hopes from Danish Atlas Khan and Nasir Iqbal.

“Nasir will be featuring in Asian Junior individual championship and we are confident he will create a stir at the international spectrum,” insisted AVM Nawab.

Regarding generation of funds for the PSF, he informed: “We have already generated Rs3.5 million from our own efforts and better marketing strategy, however, we will be looking for long term strategy for generating funds and a model was being worked out by the federation.”

Meanwhile, AVM Nawab distributed prizes among the winners of the C-division club championship.