Punj Lloyd Inter School Squash C''ship launched

Wed, Aug 25 10 08:57 PM

Chennai, Aug 25 (PTI) The Punj Lloyd All-India Inter School Squash Championship to be played across four zones in the country was launched here today at the Indian Squash Academy. Part of the Punj Lloyd Squash Masters-2010 in association with Squash Rackets Federation of India, the championship aims at promoting the sport at the grassroot level. South Zone Tournament for school students drawn from Karnataka, Goa and Tamil Nadu will be played at the Academy here from Aug 26 to 29 for boys and from September 2 to 5 for girls. The Championship will be played in individual and team categories in the age group of under 11, 13, 15 and 17. Winners in each category of every zone would be invited to New Delhi to play the inter-zonal finals in a pre-event of the Punj Lloyd PSA and WISPA Masters- 2010 in December and also get a chance to enhance their skills with squash clinics from world''s leading players. Speaking on this initiative, India''s highest-ever ranked squash player and currently world number 26, Saurav Ghosal said: "With initiatives like Punj Lloyd Squash Masters, the younger generation from schools and universities will get an opportunity to play Squash at a national level." "I am glad that Punj Lloyd has adopted a hands-on approach to develop the sport at grassroots levels as this is the key to breed a better future for the sport in India," he said. The School Squash Championship will be followed by Punj Lloyd All India Inter University Squash Championship for universities across India, the Punj Lloyd Defence Services Challenge for the armed forces and their training establishments as well as the Punj Lloyd Corporate-Club Challenge for clubs and corporate houses in New Delhi and Mumbai. Top 32 players would compete in the USD 192,500 prize money Punj Lloyd PSA Masters tournament in New Delhi this December, while top 16 available international players would participate in the USD 36,500 WISPA Masters. Speaking on the PSA and WISPA Masters events, Srivatsan Subramaniam, SRFI Secretary said: "Punj Lloyd''s commitment to promote Squash in India will ensure the much needed boost to the game. We commend Punj Lloyd for promoting Squash and bringing an event of international stature to India, thus exposing our young talent to the world''s best." PTI RE RC SHN

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