16th CNS International Squash Championship Begins
A total of 23 matches will be played during the championship.
The 16th Chief of the Naval Staff International Squash Championship commenced at Roshan Khan Jahangir Khan Squash Complex, Karachi.
According to a news release on Wednesday, Commander Karachi, Rear Admiral Muhammad Saleem graced the occasion as chief guest and declared the championship Open.
During the Chief of the Naval Staff International Squash Championship, 24 players will prove their skills mettle, including 19 international players from Austria, Czech Republic, Netherlands, Egypt, United Kingdom, Hong Kong and Malaysia. Tournament Director, Commodore Tauqeer Ahmed Khawaja's opening remarks apprised the audience that the Pakistan Navy has been conducting the Chief of the Naval Staff Open Squash Championship for the last two decades. A total of 23 matches will be played during the championship, including four quarter-finals, two semi-finals and the grand finale on May 12.
The Tournament Director hoped that the championship would be helpful in the promotion of sports in general and squash in particular. He appreciated the spirit of players, officials and sponsors for their support and presence in this mega event. This year, the CNS International Squash Championship will see four new events which include categories for Women, U13/15 Boys and U15 Girls.
The tournament has been registered with the Professional Squash Association (PSA), an international governing body for the professional squash circuit. The inaugural match of the first round was played between Hazem Hossam & Mohammad Syafiq Kamal and Mohammad Syafiq Kamal was declared the winner of the match.
The first CNS International Squash Championship was conducted in the year 2000 with Prize money of US$ 6000. Over the years, the tournament prize money has increased appreciably and this year it is US$ 20,000.
Further, prize money for additional categories are as under: Women Satellite Series: US$ 2,000 Junior Boys Under-13: PKR 100,000 Junior Boys Under-15: PKR 100,000 Junior Girls Under-15: PKR 100,000 The opening ceremony was attended by civil & military dignitaries, sponsors and senior players of squash.
