AFTER three weeks of competition, local squash players are ready to close the Ramadhan Open Squash Tournament (ROST) tonight at the Dar es Salaam Gymkhana Club (DGC).

DGC secretary Ummi Abdallah said the final pitting Ali Rehemtulla against Chris Jones will be preceded by a third place play-off between AkilHirji and Hussein Dewji at 10:15pm.

"The presentation ceremony will take place immediately after the final match sometime soon after midnight," he said.

"Despite the late hour we are expecting to have a reasonable crowd for the event," he added. Squash section captain Akil Hirji said the tournament, which started on July 12 this year and held on Wednesday and Friday nights from 09:30pm to midnight, had proved satisfactory.

The section had set-up the tournament for the Holy Month of Ramadhan to help keep local squash players fit throughout the fasting period.

"After a number of discussions with my committee, we decided it would be good for squash players to get a little exercise, at least two nights a week, after breaking the days fast," Hirji said.

"The tournament also provides a wonderful opportunity for the players to engage in some socialising," he added.

Hirji said that having gone successfully this first time, they are seriously thinking of making the tournament a regular event during the Holy Month of Ramadhan in the future.