LAHORE, Nov 18: Four Indians are among over 100 players who will compete in the 24th National grass court tennis championships starting at the Punjab Tennis Association complex, Bagh-i-Jinnah, from Nov 21.

Speaking at a news conference, Rao Iftikhar, vice-president, Punjab Lawn Tennis Association, said the Indian stars would reach Lahore on Sunday and would contest in the men’s and veteran’s events.

He said invitations were also extebded to Sri Lanka, Bangladesh and Maldives but only Sri Lanka responded. “Sri Lanka has confirmed but we have no details about the scheduled arrival of their players,” Iftikhar said.

Pakistan’s top player Aisamul Haq will not defend his title but the last year’s runner-up Aqeel Khan will be contesting.

The reigning ladies champion Marium Rahim will make her first appearance in a competition after her marriage recently.

The event carries a cash prize of Rs275,000 with the men’s singles winner receiving Rs60,000.

The draws will take place on.

Speaking about the other activities of the association, Iftikhar said the second training academy has been established in Faisalabad under director Shafiq Ahmad while another at Multan under former international Laeeq Pirzada was in the process of being set up.

He said the association had reached an agreement with an Australian firm for the supply of artificial surface to be laid in training academies in Lahore, Faisalabad and Multan.

The PLTA official further said the ITF Veteran tournament would be staged in Lahore from April 6 to 11 next year.

Iftikhar said the association had also decided to revive the school training programme under ITF coach Suresh Menon.—Agencies