Serena Hotels with the collaboration Pakistan Squash Federation hosting President Gold Cup International Squash Championship 2015 with the slogan ‘’A Passion for Squash in Pakistan’’
The final will be held on 10th November 2015, President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain is expected to be Chief Guest at the closing Ceremony.
By.Asghar Ali Mubarak 
Islamabad – The Serena Hotels with the collaboration Pakistan Squash Federation is hosting President Gold Cup International Squash Championship 2015 with the slogan ‘’A Passion for Squash in Pakistan’’sponsored by Serena Hotels at Mushaf Complex, Islamabad stared from 3rd November to 10thNovember 2015. This was stated by Mr. Shehryar Khan Director Sports Diplomacy, Serena Hotels, along with Group Captain Amir Nawaz Honorary Secretary, Pakistan Squash Federation, and Air Commodore Syed Muhammad Ali Director Media Affairs, Pakistan Air Force, Mr. Qamar Zaman, Squash Legend and vice president Pakistan squash federation during a huge press conference at held Serena Hotel Islamabad .The Championship is being hosted under the Serena Hotels Sports Diplomacy Initiative. Group Captain Amir Nawaz, Honorary Secretary Pakistan Squash Federation, said that the qualifying rounds started on the 3rd November 2015. Draw Size will be 16 Players Each for Pre-Qualifying and Main Rounds. There are 48 participants in total. International participants hail from Austria, Egypt, Jordan, USA and Pakistan while Referees will be coming in from Hong Kong and South Africa. The final will be held on 10th November 2015 and the President of Pakistan Mamnoon Hussain is expected to be Chief Guest at the closing Ceremony. The Group Captain Amir Nawaz Honorary Secretary, Pakistan Squash Federation announced that the Championship will have a prize purse of US$ 25,000 for the players. The Championship trophies were also unveiled by Mr. Shehryar Khan Director Sports Diplomacy, Serena Hotels, along with Group Captain Amir Nawaz Honorary Secretary, Pakistan Squash Federation and Air Commodore Syed Muhammad Ali Director Media Affairs, Pakistan Air Force, Mr. Qamar Zaman, Squash Legend and vice president Pakistan Squash Federation. Mr. Shehryar Khan Director Sports Diplomacy, Serena Hotels,told media that last month, Serena Hotels in collaboration with the Pakistan Squash Federation also hosted the Serena Hotels – Chief of the Air Staff International Squash Championship 2015. The Championship was well attended by International players and Egypt’s Mohamed Abouelghar took home the trophy. Director Sports Diplomacy Shehryar Khan, said, “We are pleased to be adding a new event to our squash portfolio. Pakistan has a long and illustrious history in the field of Squash. The President’s Cup is taking place after a span of 25 years, last held in 1990. This Championship will go a long way in encouraging Pakistani and international players to engage with each other. It also further cements Serena Hotels’ relationship with the Pakistan Squash Federation.” The Serena Hotels Sports Diplomacy Initiative is working actively to encourage and promote healthy activities through interaction amongst various segments of the society to enhance the social wellbeing and cultural development. Under its banner, Serena Hotels also host Polo, Cricket and Golf tournaments including the President of Pakistan’s Gold Medal Golf Championship.
Mean while the Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) honorary secretary Group Captain Amir Nawaz has said that the federation is all set to host $25,000 Serena Hotels President Gold Cup International Squash Championship 2015. Talking to media, Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) honorary secretary Group Captain Amir Nawaz told that all arrangements to host the international squash event satisfactory and said: “A total of seven international players from four countries will be vying for top honors along with top Pakistani players. Egyptian world number 31 Omar Abdel Meguid is top seed, followed by countryman Karim Ali Fathi, while Nasir Iqbal is third seed and American Todd Harrity is fourth seed. We have given wild card to Abbas Shoukat. “The main round will be played on November 7 while the quarterfinals will be held Nov 8, semifinal on Nov 9 and the grand final on Nov 10,” Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) honorary secretary Group Captain Amir Nawaz added. When asked about realistic hopes of Pakistan in the event, Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) honorary secretary Group Captain Amir Nawaz replied: “It is very much true that we have given best facilities, back-to-back PSA events to our players, but they didn’t pay back. There is also is some mental blockade as far as Nasir is concerned, but we don’t want to burn players. I am quite optimistic about our super fit player Farhan Mehboob and the way Danish has just recently performed in the US and won Chicago Open title. Signs are quite encouraging and it is hoped that Pakistan players will excel in the event.”
“Jahanghir Khan will arrive on Nov 7 and will spend time with players in evening session, while Jansher is also very keen on working with the players. The squash legends really want to help the players in best possible fashion but it is now up to them to respond to what they have been told,” Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) honorary secretary Group Captain Amir Nawaz said.“We have spent a whopping Rs 10 million on renovation of Hashim Khan and Jansher Khan Squash Academies in Peshawar, where air conditioners were installed, paint and other stuff was provided and now both courts are in perfect shape. We are very happy that around 382 male and around 10 to 15 female players have already registered with the academy, which is a great achievement and we are conducting the Chief of Air Staff Junior Squash Championship from November 18 to 23 in Peshawar,” he added. The Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) honorary secretary Group Captain Amir Nawaz said it was a matter of grave concern that the players were not producing even ordinary results. “But we will continue to provide best facilities to them and will enhance them with their better performances. We will not hesitate in investing on them despite our limited resources, but for that, the players have to show their progress in the PSA events.” “We have set our sights on long-term success. We know short-term policies can’t bear long-term fruits. We will soon hire top coaches and impart top class training to our players. PSF president Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman is keen squash lover and it is his vision we are moving on right direction. He has assured us his all-out support and made it clear that there is no need to worry about funds, just concentrate on players,” Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) honorary secretary Group Captain Amir Nawaz said. “PAF is doing wonders for squash promotion and now it is the time for private sector, multinationals and national institutions to come forward and lend a helping hand to the PSF. Without sufficient amount of funds, it will be impossible to even think about running day-to-day affairs of the federation, sending players abroad and holding high-profile events will be not more than day dreaming. I am extremely thankful to Serena Hotels for stepping forward once again and helping federation at the time of need, but all must understand it is national cause and all must join hands to promote this cause,” Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) honorary secretary Group Captain Amir Nawaz concluded.
