Laiba Ijaz, Hamza and Humam in the Girls Under-15 and Boys Under-11 categories moved to next round after securing victories against their respective rivals on the opening day of the KP Junior Girls and Boys Squash Championship which got under way here at PAF Jansher Khan Squash Complex on Tuesday.
Station Manager PIA Ayaz Khan was the chief guest on this occasion. Hockey Olympian Musaddiq Hussain, former World Champion Qamar Zaman, girl coach Riaz Khan, former Pakistan hockey team goal-keeper Abdur Rauf Khan, PAF Complex Incharge Said Shah, players and large number of spectators were also present.
Before the start of the matches, Ayaz Khan formally inaugurated the Championship in which 16 girls of the Under-15 category and 32 boys of Under-11 categories are taking part. In his brief chat Ayaz Khan lauded the efforts of the KP Squash Association for regularly organizing various tournaments for both boys and girls at grassroots level.
Earlier, former World Champion Qamar Zaman highlighted the aim and objective of the association for holding various activities. He said the association is more focus on the promotion of squash at grassroots level.
In the opening match Laiba Ijaz defeated Maira Khan by 3-0, the score was 11-4, 11-6 and 11-4. It was a very thrilling match played between Humam Ahmad and Abbas Nawaz. Abbas Nawaz gave a tough resistance to Humam Ahmad in the marathon five sets battle wherein both stretched to 3-2. The score was 11-6, 11-13, 7-11, 12-10 and 11-9. Both Humam and Abbas played well by producing some good display. Humam has better drops, nick and forceful smashes.
In the second match top seeded Hamza defeated Mobeen Khan by 3-1, the score was 6-11, 11-6, 11-4 and 11-8. In the other matches of the first round, Raheem Abbas beat Mubashir by 3-0, Yaseen Khattak beat Muhammad Abbas by 3-0 and Mubeen Khayam beat Hasan Zahid by 3-0.