The International Bangladesh Squash formally has got underway on Monday at Bashundhara Sports City Squash Complex in the capital.

Chief Engineer of the Bangladesh Army Major General Md Hasan Uz Zaman formally inaugurated the five-day competition by releasing balloons.

Promoter Brigadier General G M Qumrul Islam (retd) and Bashundhara Sports City executive officer Colonel Mohasinul Karim (retd), were among others, also present in the opening ceremony.

Twenty four top rated professional squash players from eleven countries across the globe are taking part in the tournament.

The participating countries are host Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, Singapore, Iran, Kuwait, Bahrain, Egypt, Japan and Germany.

The organisers believe the participation of foreign professionals will not only enhance the standard of the tournament but also contribute significantly to the overall development of squash in Bangladesh.

With internationally ranked and professional players participating, this year's tournament is expected to be highly competitive and attractive. It is worth mentioning that although 84 professional squash players from approximately 16-17 countries, including Pakistan, the Netherlands and Malaysia, registered to participate, due to the requirements of the Professional Squash Association (PSA) and the tournament draw size, 21 foreign players will participate in the first round.

Currently, Bangladesh has 11 professional squash players who hold world rankings. In this competition, Bangladesh's young talents Arminul Islam (696th), Saimun Islam (775th), and Parvez (875th) will compete alongside Mohamed Gohar of Egypt (world ranking 91st), Naoki Hayashi of Japan (117th), Ravinder Lakshmi (148th), Aryan Viajali (173rd), Jerome Aw of Singapore (185th), Yousuf Hani of Bahrain (228th), Wilson Chan of Hong Kong (337th), Yudhim Biyalikow of Germany (341st), Bader Al-Maghribi of Kuwait (356th) and Sepehr Etemadpour of Iran, among other players.

The competition will conclude on August 28.