M Waqas Ahmed of Pakistan beat Abdul Jalil of Afghanistan in straight games but favourite Pakistani Wajid Ali lost to an Indian P Kashyap on the opening day of the Pakistan Challenge International Badminton Tournament at Liaqat Gymnasium, Pakistan Sports Complex, on Sunday.

More than 50 players from 11 countries are participating in this tournament which is the biggest International badminton event ever held in Pakistan. Pakistan Sports Trust and Bank Alfalah are jointly sponsoring it. The tournament was inaugurated by the Interior Minister, in a colourful opening ceremony, Beacon House System boys and girls presented excellent performance of judo-karate. In the welcoming address Syed Naqi Mohsin, Senior Vice President of Pakistan Badminton Federation described the holding of this tournament in this difficult times as a remarkable achievement.

The Chief Guest lauded the efforts of Pakistan Badminton Federation for holding such a prestigious tournament. Bobby Milroy of Canada who is also President of International Badminton Players Association described the tournament as the biggest tournament in this part of the World. Vemuri Sudhakar is the referee with the experience of three Olympics Barcelona, Atlanta and Sydney. The most interesting match was between Wajid Ali of Pakistan and Kashyap of India which Wajid Ali lost in hard fought three sets match by 9-21/21-18/19-21. Ayesha Akram of Pakistan beat Sujana Shreshtha of Nepal by the score of 21-12/21-17.

First day’s results:

Men’s Singles

Diluka Karunaretne of Sri Lanka beat Murad Ali of Pakistan by 21-13, 21-8. Kishor Rana of Nepal got walk over against Castilino Rohan of India. Pashupati Paneru of Nepal beat Syed Shabbar Hussain of Pakistan 21-17/21-19. M Waqas Ahmed of Pakistan beat Abdul Jalil of Afghanistan by 21-17/21-10. Kashyap. of India beat Balaram Thapa of Nepal by 21-11/21-13.

Women Singles results

Aparna Balan of India beat Palwasha Basheer of Pakistan by 21-17/21-6. Sara Khan of Pakistan got walk over against Sayali Gokhde of India. Jwala Gutta of India beat Uzma Butt of Pakistan by 21-11/21-9. Lamy Filipa of Portugal beat Shruti Kurian of India by 21-17/21-19. Ayesha Akram of Pakistan beat Sujana Shrestha of Nepal by 21-12/21-17. Aparna Balan of India got walkover against Sara D. Tamang of Nepal. Sumina Shrestha of Nepal beat Sara Khan of Pakistan by 18-21/21-15/21-12. Thilini J. of Sri Lanka got walkover against Trupti Murughunde of India. Ana Moura of Portugal beat Sara Mohmand of Pakistan by 21-12/21-8.

Copyright © 2007 Associated Press of Pakistan.