Players from Canada, India and Iran will be seen in action in the fourth edition of PARCO Roshan Khan Junior Open Squash Championship starting from 25th February here at the PN Roshan Khan Jahangir Khan Squash Complex.

Legendary squash player Jahangir Khan, who is chairman organizing committee, said that they want to break the ice and therefore they are trying to bring international action to Pakistan to pave the way for high-profile tournament.

“This tournament is registered with the Asian Squash Federation (ASF) and carries points, through which players could better their Asian standings. Hopefully, next year we will register this tournament with

The World Squash Federation (WSF) and other foreign players will also be seen in action during the next edition,” Jahangir Khan told the media here Wednesday at the PN-RKJK Squash Complex.

Jahangir further informed that Iranian players have already reached Pakistan and Indian players are also expected to arrive soon.

To a question, Jahangir replied that interior ministry has assured that the Indian players would receive NOC and would reach Pakistan well in time before the tournament.

“I have talked to the interior ministry and they assured me that they would soon provide NOC to the Indian players. Hopefully, Indian players would reach Pakistan before the tournament begins,” Jahangir said.

Iranian Erfan Jamshidi and Aliee Nayeri have already reached Pakistan.

Meanwhile, Indian Ranjeet Singh and Junaid Muzaffar Thoker and Canadian Dorosham Khan of Pakistani origin are expected to arrive soon.

Jahangir said that many international players have assured him to compete in the next edition of this tournament.

“We have asked them to take part in this competition and many players have told me that they are committed in other tournaments. But many have assured me that they would come to Pakistan in the next edition. So the next edition would hopefully be a high-profile international tournament,” Jahangir, who is also honorary life-time president of the WSF, said.

The tournament carries a prize money of $10,000. The organizers have received 210 entries for the tournament.

The events to be competed in the tournament are boys U-19, U-17, U-15, U-13 and U-11 while the girls would compete in U-19 and U-15 categories.

Ali Bokhari is top seeded in U-19 boys’ event while Seleman Khan is expected to meet him in the final.

Shah Zeb is the favourite in the U-17 event while Safiullah Kakar is the second seed.

Riffat Khan is seeded first in the U-19 girls’ event while Samar Anjum is seeded second.

Iranian Aliee Nayeri is the favourite in the U-15 event, while Madina Zafar is expected to battle with Aliee in the final of the event.