KARACHI: The opening ceremony of the GFS Karachi Open Squash Championship 2022 was held here in Mohatta Palace. The star-studded sporting event will take place from March 15 to 19.

The GFS Karachi Open Squash Championship 2022 features a Challenger 20 level women’s draw alongside the Bronze level men’s tournament.

A large number of international players including 40 foreign players will take part in the PSA World Tour Bronze and PSA Challenger Tour 20 from March 15 to 19 March 2022.

The two glittering events will feature both male and female athletes, with the PSA World Tour Bronze tournament featuring male athletes, while the female competition is a PSA Challenger Tour 20 tournament.

Mr Salman Iqbal, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the ARY Group, said the idea of organizing the squash tournament came to mind when DG Rangers Major General Iftikhar Hassan Chaudhry asked the business community to contribute to the sector.

“Squash was one of Pakistan’s prime games and everyone wanted to be like legends Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan,” Mr Salman said.

“This tournament will not only mark the revival of squash but sports as a whole,” adding that he “witnessed youth change because of sport in many countries.”

Mr Salman further announced that all the athletes will be brought to a city and do an Olympic for Pakistan twice in four years. The best three players will be selected for training in the Olympics.

Mr Salman then went on to say that it was a pleasure to see international players taking part in the competition and emphasized the need for the promotion of such events and initiatives in future.

Legendary squash player Jahangir Khan extended his warm welcome to the competitors that are taking part in the competition. He thanked the organizers and supporters for making the tournament a success and carrying out the huge task.

DG Rangers Iftikhar, speaking on this occasion, said that Chief of Army Staff General Qamar Javed Bajwa has given them the task to boost sports activities and heal the wounds of Karachi and uplift culture and social activities.

DG Rangers also claimed that Karachi has again become the city of lights, adding that the situation has improved with the help of Karachiites.

The GFS Karachi Open Squash Championship 2022 is the first event under the ACE Games initiative launched by the ARY group, along with Sindh Squash Association and Sindh Rangers.

The opening ceremony was also streamed on Pakistan’s first HD Sports Channel A Sports’ YouTube channel.