KARACHI: The 10th edition of the PSO International Senior Tennis Championship will be held at the Karachi Club hard courts from November 24 to 30, the Pakistan Senior Tennis Association (PSTA) announced on Wednesday.

Besides top ranked under-35 player Kothiyal Morthy of India, Charlier Francois (Belgium), Wolfgang (Germany), Lesslo Tobold (Hungary) and Filippo (Italy) other foreign players have entered the fray.

Speaking at joint news conference at Karachi Club, President of PSTA, Vice President Jamal Mirza, Secretary STA Khalid Rehmani and Ex-Davis Cupper Altaf Hussai said that top players of Pakistan will be in action.

Saeed Hai said Pakistan's top senior player Rashid Malik, Hameed-ul-Haq, Jamil Khan, Mushtaq Ahmed, Karim Gul Agha, Abdul Saeed, Altaf Hussain, Ejaz Sarhadi, Akbar Khan and Azharuddin are the prominent Pakistan players that would be taking part in the week-long gala with six players from Peshawar, two from Islamabad and one from Lahore.

He said 35, 45, 55 singles and doubles for men and 35 singles and doubles event for women will be contested.

To a question Saeed Hai said they are also promoting junior tennis and senior circuit is part of the International Tennis Federation programme.

He however expressed dismay over non participation of Pakistan player Aisam-ul-Haq in the Karachi circuits. He said participation of Aisam in national events in Karachi will help the locals to watch him in action.

Saeed Hai said it was a matter of immense satisfaction for them (PSTA) that they have reached a milestone of conducting the 10th senior event.

He thanked Karachi Club for providing the facilities of international standard for their players.

He said PSO was providing quarter of a million rupees sponsorship money for conducting the championship.

Acting President KC Munawar Shaikh and Sports Convener KC Alamgir Anwar Shaikh also spoke on the occasion.