The 9th edition of the National Bank National Junior Squash Championship carrying a prize money of Rs. 0.1 million got under way at PAF Hashim Khan Squash Complex under the aegis of KP Squash Association here Wednesday. NBP Regional Head of Peshawar Region Sohail Ahmad grace the occasion as chief guest and formally inaugurated the Championship which carrying different age group categories comprising Under-11, Under-13, Under-15, Under-17, Girls Under-13 and Girls Under-15.
Former World Champion Qamar Zaman, Executive Member KP Squash Association Wazir Gul, former national football team skipper and in-charge NBP Regional Sports Basit Kamal, PAF Academy Coaches Nazir Gul, Gulap Sher, Kamran Khan, Riaz Khan, Maqsood Hanif, Chief Referee Munawar Zaman, players from all across Pakistan were also present.
Speaking on this occasion, Sohail Ahmad lauded the role of KP Squash Association for holding more than 23 tournaments on annual basis including NBP National Junior Age Group Squash Championship for both male and female on regular basis.
He said NBP is very keen in fulfilling its professional obligations of involving the youth in healthy sports activities and that is why besides squash, it has been extending support to various games on regular basis all across Pakistan including Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Earlier, in the first round matches of different age group categories were decided. In the Under-11 category Araiz Asad defeated Haris Zahid by 3-1, the score was 11-7, 8-11, 11-6 and 11-7, Umair Arif beat Ahad Khan by 3-0, the score was 11-6, 11-9 and 11-9, top seeded Abdullah Nawaz beat Fahad Khan by 3-0, the score was 11-5, 11-6 and 11-8, Mobin Khan beat Obaid Ullah by 3-0, the score was 11-4, 11-6 and 11-9, Huraira beat Mustafa Irfan by 3-0, the score was 11-9, 11-8 and 11-5, Ibrahim faced tough resistance against Saif Ullah Khan in 3-2 battle, the score was 12-10, 10-12, 11-9, 7-11, 11-5.