The government is taking all out steps for the promotion of the game of squash in Punjab by holding regular squash tournaments especially for youth.
This was stated by Punjab Governor Lieutenant General Khalid Maqbool (Retd) while speaking as a chief guest at the prize distribution ceremony of National squash championship here at PSA Complex on Wednesday.
Speaking on the occasion, PSA Chief Lieutenant General (Retd) Zarrar Azeem said the tournament carried a cash prize of Rs 350,000 and participated by 350 players from Punjab.
In the tournament, Shoaib Hasan of Punjab beat Adil Atlas of PAF Academy in straight sets 9-1, 9-5, 9-1 to win the Under-19 title of National squash championship. Shoaib spent only 25 minutes to shatter the confidence of Adil who had earlier showed fine performance on his way to the final.
Punjab Governor Khalid Maqbool witnessed the final with keen interest. Also present on the occasion was President, Punjab Squash Association (PSA), Lieutenant General Zarrar Azeem. (Retd).
In a dull and one sided affair after seeing defeat so close, Adil ran out of confidence by hitting the tin on three successive occasion followed by a down ball as Shoaib hit a superb cross court to end the match amid applause.
Shoaib was very focused and composed throughout the match and he struck fine coverage to all parts of the court besides placing the ball in both the corners with greater anticipation. Adil made grand recovery and gave his best by equalising the score at 5-5 before Shoaib took 4-1 lead. But in later part of the game Adil failed to keep his control with erratic shots and wrong planning which helped Shoaib to cut down some short lived rallies with accurate placing above the tin.
A number of finals were also decided in various age competitions. Following were the winner of various events. (Boys) Under-17 Waqar Mehboob (NWFP), runners up Raza Yaqoob (Punjab). (Under-15) Sheikh Saqib (Punjab), runners up Aurangzeb Khan (Punjab). (Under-13) Hamza Bukhari (Punjab), Runners up Nasir Iqbal (PAF).(Under-11) Ali Bukhari (Punjab), Runners up Muhammad Tayyab Aslam (Punjab).
(Girls) (Under-19) Maria Toor (NWFP), runners up Zoya Khalid (Punjab). (Under-15) Roshan Mehboob (Punjab), runners up Habiba Khan (Sindh).
Apart from the tournament prize money, Punjab Governor also announced special cash prizes for all the winners of various events. He announced a cash prize of Rs 50,000 for the winner of U-19 and Rs 25,000 for the runners, Rs 20,000 for the U-19 winner of girls' championship and Rs 10,000 for the runners.
Later, the governor away the medals and cash prize to the winners.