ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) president Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafik Butt has assured full support to Aamir Atlas Khan to manage a sponsor for Aamir who is set to leave for US on September 29 to participate in three PSA championships.
Talking exclusively to this scribe, Tahir Rafik said: “I can't promise that the federation will bear all the expenses (US$11,000) expenses which are required for Aamir to take part in the events but let me assure we will shoulder the lime share of his expenses.”
He said that as all knew that the federation had their own limitations and a very tight budget, Pakistan Air Force was bearing bulk of expenses of the players and the federation, despite that, was trying hard to bring old glory days of Pakistan squash back.
“Corporate world and multinationals must come forward and help the federation in achieving its goal. If they pump maximum funds and provide us with substantial amount, we have current available crop of youngsters they may earn laurels for the country. We also have the world's best coach Jamshed Gul with the vast coaching experience at international level. It is my promise we will soon rule the world of squash again as we did in the late 70s, 80s and 90s,” the PSF president believed.
When the Air chief was asked if the funds did managed at the right time then what would happen to Aamir or he once again would not be able to take part in US squash events, Tahir replied: “I will arrange funds even if I have to pay from my own pocket. We are very serious about squash and already talking to different sponsors to get maximum funds. We are fully aware of the fact that our boys need the PSA events to improve their world rankings.
The performances of the players recently was more than satisfactory but they just need exposure to enable them to compete against the world's best but also are more than capable of beating them like they did in the Asian Senior Squash Championship recently.”