Pakistan to host nearly $2 million worth of squash tournaments in historic year

Pakistan's ambitions to reclaim its place on the global squash map received a major boost as the 2026/27 PSA Squash Tour season got underway with the Copper-level PN Fleet Club Squash Open in Karachi.

The tournament marks the first world event of the new PSA Tour season and the beginning of what officials describe as the biggest year for squash hosting in Pakistan's history.

Speaking to Nukta in an exclusive interview, Sindh Squash Association President Adnan Asad said Pakistan will host international squash tournaments carrying a combined prize purse of nearly $2 million this year, an unprecedented figure for the country.

"Our players previously didn't have enough tournaments to compete in, and there was no one willing to send them abroad," Asad said.

"People often say there isn't enough money, but I believe the funds are available. We're just not using them in the right way."

Asad said the decision to bring more international events to Pakistan was aimed at creating opportunities for local players while rebuilding the country's reputation as a squash powerhouse.

"That's why we decided to bring international tournaments back home. Hosting events of this level motivates players and shows them there is a future in squash," he said.

According to Asad, Pakistan's calendar will include Copper, Bronze, Gold and Platinum-level PSA tournaments, along with the Under-23 World Championship.

Pakistan's growing stature as a squash host has been evident over the past year. After successfully staging a Gold-level PSA event and the inaugural Under-23 World Championship in 2025, the country has been awarded the Under-23 Worlds for a second consecutive year. Officials view the back-to-back hosting rights as a strong vote of confidence in Pakistan's ability to organise major international events.

Asad added that Karachi will become the only city in the world to host Copper, Bronze, Gold and Platinum PSA events, alongside the Under-23 World Championship, in the same year.

The scale of the transformation is reflected in the prize money on offer.

"There was a time when we couldn't even imagine hosting a $100,000 tournament," Asad said. "Now we've secured a tournament with a prize purse of $700,000."

Pakistan, once the undisputed force in world squash through legends Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan, has struggled to maintain its dominance over the past two decades. Limited international exposure and a lack of regular high-level competitions have often been cited as key reasons for the decline.

With the PSA Tour returning to Karachi and a packed calendar of international events ahead, officials hope hosting elite tournaments on home soil will provide local players with greater competitive opportunities, inspire the next generation of players, and strengthen Pakistan's bid to once again become a regular destination for the world's biggest squash events.