The championship will carry prize money of Rs. 50, 000.

Addressing a press conference, Zaman informed that the association has planned various tournaments in the current year for both junior and senior categories involving male and female players.

He thanked the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sports Board and the President of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Olympic Association for extending help in increasing the grant for the squash association from Rs. 0.1 million to 0.5 million.

He said that sports activities must go on irrespective of any situation and that is why a squash event was being organized in order to engage the youth in healthy activities.

“We are going to make history of holding the first national squash event in the province that will involve female squash players from all across the country,” he disclosed.

Zaman said that efforts were made to get sponsorship for the event but up till now no one had agreed to sponsor the championship owing to the current situation.

Besides the National Womens Squash Championship, a Senior Squash Championship will be organized from October 5-10 with prize money of Rs 0.1 million.

The first event, which carries prize money of Rs. 50, 000 will be held from September 26-30 with National Age Group Under-11, Under-13 and Under-15.

The National Under-15, Under-17 All-Pakistan tournament will be commencing from October 22-26, followed by Inter-District Junior Squash Championship from November 1-5.

Ladies Inter-District Championship is scheduled from November 15-18 and Senior National Squash Championship, carrying Rs. 0.1 million prize money will be organized in December this year.

District Manager PIA and Senior Vice President Ihsanullah Khan said that talks are underway with different prominent players and personalities to invite them for the opening and closing ceremonies besides involving celebrities in order to raise funds for the flood affected people.

He ensured all kinds of facilities to the players during the tournament which would have 64 draws. - APP