Star squash likely

Press, 10 April 1978, Page 3

Star squash likely

Mohibulla Khan and Hiddy-i Jahan, the Pakistani squash' stars ranked third and fifth respectively in the world, ; may play in Christchurch and other New Zealand centres in June. Both players have expressed interest in the international tournament to be!' held in New Zealand. It is';, expected to feature eight; events held in 11 days. The tournament will be’:

the first in a series made) possible by the entry of Ballins Industries, Ltd, into professional sports sponsorship. According to the joint managing director of the company (Mr B. H. Ballin) two tournaments will be held in the series this year. (The likely venues for the i June one are Auckland, (Hamilton, Wellington or Lower Hutt, Christchurch, 'and Timaru.

J Definite entries will be the highly rated New Zealanders, Bruce Brownlee and Murray Lilley, who became : professional last September : and signed a three-year contract with Ballins through !an agreement with Mark McCormack’s International ■ Manageme:.' Group. , The circuit will be known ■ as “Ballins Industries Chal- , lenge Squash.” Mr Ballin said that the sponsorship for this year was about $15,000, including a payment to Brownlee and Lilley and the cost of running various coaching schools under this pair fob promising young players. Brownlee has made a rapid impression on the professional circuit and 's already ranked eleventh in the ! world. Last week he extended Mohibullah to four games lin 90 minutes in a quarterfinal match in the British :open, A contest between the I two would be a great draw- • card in New Zealand. .' Mohibullah has given the world champion. Geoff I Hunt (Australia), trouble on ■ a number of occasions and . beat him in the final of the ■ Irish masters tournament 17 months ago.