ISLAMABAD - Pakistan female squash team got further boost with the arrival Pakistan top squash player Sammer Anjum who joined the national team camp here on Friday.
Talking to The Nation, Sammer said: “I am playing best squash of my entire career because I am totally pain free and have got rid of the ear injury which I suffered during the WSA event played at Bahria Town.”
“I wanted to join the camp last month, but due to exams, my university didn't grant me permission to proceed to Islamabad, but I continued my training in the Punjab squash courts. Now I have reached Islamabad and for the past two days, I have participating in full training under the command of head coach Jamshed Gul Khan. I am determined to first book a place in the national team for the prestigious Asian Senior Women Team Squash Championship set to be held in Hong Kong from June 10-15 and then to play key role in the team’s progress in the event,” she added.
She elaborated: “We had a golden chance of lifting the Asian Junior Women Team Squash Championship last year, but unfortunately, we couldn’t play according to our potential. Although we did manage to put up more than decent performance in the event, yet we had set higher standards. Now I have another chance this time with senior team and I don't want to spoil this opportunity. I am very confident with the likes of Maria Toor in our squad to win glory for the country.”
To a query regarding opponent teams, Sammer said: “I am fully aware that we have to face tough opponents in form of Malaysia, India and hosts Hong Kong, who are all very professionally well-equipped sides. But I still believe we can pose a serious threat to all these opponents.”
To another query regarding facilities being provided to the players in the camp, she replied: “Yes, I am more than satisfied as this time around, I have witnessed complete turnaround in the behaviour of the federation. Unlike the past, we are getting better facilities. This time, the main focus of head coach is to improve our mental and physical fitness. We are also spending time in state-of-the-art gym at the PSB which is helping us a lot in getting better results.”
“I have played with almost all the players in the past and I am looking forward to play competitive action, which starts from May 12 when all the top female players will be in the camp. I am waiting anxiously to play and win my matches to book a berth in the Hong Kong bound squad,” Sammer concluded.