Egyptians players were crowned champions in international squash tournaments played at Mushaf Squash Complex Islamabad here on Friday. Mostafa Asal won the Chief of the Air Staff International Men’s Squash Tournament while Farida Mohamed won the Pakistan International Squash Tournament for Women. Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, was the chief guest at the occasion. Ambassador of Egypt Ahmed Fadel Yacoub, and senior officials of the Pakistan Squash Federation with a large number of squash lovers witnessed the finals.
The final of men’s event was a thrilling contest between Youssef Soliman and Asal. Soliman dominated his opponent from the first game and easily won it 11-8. He consolidated his grip on the match by winning the second 11-7. The third game was convincingly won by Asal 11-2, giving the spectators the prospects of a close finish. Mostafa carried his superb form in the fourth game as well and gave only 01 point to his opponent, taking the match to the wire. Asal won the fifth and final game with 11-7 and clinched the prestigious title. The match lasted for 70 minutes. Earlier, in the women’s event, Farida of Egypt defeated Cindy Merlo of Switzerland. Farida won 11-8, 9-11, 11-9 and 11-5. The match lasted for 33 minutes. The men’s event carried a prize purse of $30,000 whereas women’s event had $ 10,000 prize money.Fadel Yacoub,