Serena Hotels Chief of Air Staff International Squash Championship for Men’s and Serena/Combaxx Sports International Squash Championship for Women to commence from 11th of this month at Mushaf Mir Squash Complex, Islamabad. The finals will be held on 15th of this month.

Addressing a press conference at Serena Hotels on Friday, Pakistan Squash Federation Secretary Wing Commander Armaghan along with Serena Hotels Senior Manager Marketing and Communications Hussian Odhwani and Combaxx Sports Managing Director Omar, informed that Pakistan’s Tayyab Aslam is the top seed in the men’s event while Nadia Pfisler is the women’s top seed.

“We have given wild cards to Noor Zaman and Hamza Sharif. It is unfortunate that former Pakistan number 1 and world number 35, Nasir Iqbal is injured but even then we have a strong group of local players, who could win the title for Pakistan.”

He said in such tough and testing times, the Pakistan Squash Federation on the directives of the PSF President is doing utmost to not only conduct international events but also provide Pakistani players opportunities to take part in international events abroad.

He said holding the women event will bolster not only local girls PSA rankings, but also provide them with an opportunity to play alongside top females and get maximum exposure.

He said the players from Hong Kong, Egypt, Austria, England, Russia, Czech Republic, Spain, France and Switzerland are taking part in the championship.

Serena Hotels Senior Manager Marketing and Communications Hussain Odhwani said: “We always believe in promoting Pakistan’s soft image through sports. Although, our budget had exceeded to Corona protocols, even then we are ready to lend a helping hand to not only squash, but to other sports as well, as Serena Hotels had taken the initiative of Sports Diplomacy, we are committed to extending every possible help.”

Sharing his views Omar said: “I was involved in helping taekwondo events, while my sons also represent the country in international and national taekwondo events, and I am also the President of Asian Taekwondo Federation. I had sponsored the last event as well and now we have decided to extend a helping hand to Pakistan Squash Federation in hosting an international event. We will continue to join hands with the PSF in future too, as Pakistan had ruled squash world for more than 40 years, it is our national and moral responsibility to contribute towards national cause.”

(Contributed)