Carla Khan top seed for women’s squash tournament
Carla top seed for women’s squash tournament
ISLAMABAD: England-based Pakistani player Carla Khan is the top seed of the First Women’s International Professional Squash Association (WIPSA) Tournament to be played at Wah Cantt from August 30 to September 2.
The tournament carries prize money of $7,000. Another Pakistani girl Sarah Awan, who is national number one, has been awarded wildcard entry in the main draw. The tournament promises exciting competitions as half of the participants fall in the international ranking of 30 to 60. Carla is the grand daughter of famous squash champion Azam Khan and her ranking is 23rd in the world. She was Pakistan’s national champion for three years but did not participate in any championship this year.
According to the draws announced by the Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) on Tuesday, the main draw of 16 has attracted 12 foreign players including six Malaysians. Two are from England, one each from Denmark, India, Japan and Korea. Four Pakistan players Anna Batool, Maria Toor, Muqaddas Ashraf and Misbah Rani will contest in the qualifying round for two vacant berths of the main draw.
“The PSF is holding the event to promote the game among Pakistani women. This will definitely go a long way and augur well for women’s squash in Pakistan,” said PSF secretary Zulfiqar Ahmed. “The PSF has made elaborate arrangements to hold the event in a befitting manner and make it a memorable tournament, especially for the foreign female players,” he added.