The 2nd Asian Masters Squash Championship started here at the Punjab Squash Complex on Monday and the final of the event will be played on September 6.
Deputy speaker Punjab and chief organizer Punjab Youth Sports Festioval Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan was the chief guest on the opening ceremony of the event. Squash legend Jahangir Khan, Director General Sports Board and Youth Affairs Punjab Usman Anwar and several former international squash players were also present on the occasion.
Rana Mashhood highlighted the efforts of the Punjab government in the revival of sports culture in the province. He also provided brief details of the Punjab Youth Festival which is being staged at all over the proince.
While talking on the occasion, the SVP, PSF AVM Syed Razi Nawab highlighted PSF’s efforts under the able leadership of President PSF Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt for promotion of Squash in the country through holding PSA tournaments, conducting leagues along with round the year training camps for the players.
He also apprised the guests that considering Pakistan’s contribution in the world of Squash and with the help of Squash Governing Bodies, the Asian Squash Federation has allocated three major Squash tournaments to Pakistan including the Asian Masters, 2012. He urged upon the Squash legends that Pakistan has the capacity, capability and will, to host more and more international tournaments and sought their help to bring international Squash to Pakistan.
Squash legends including Mr Qamar Zaman, Jahangir Khan, Gogi Allauddin along with Geoff Hunt and David Palmer from Australia, Ross Norman from Newzealand, Jonathon Power from Canada, Ramay Ashour from Egypt attended the dinner. Malik Amjad Ali Noon, President Punjab Squash Association was also present at the occasion.