ISLAMABAD-Pakistan Squash Federation Honorary Secretary Group Captain Amir Nawaz thanked media for their highly positive role in presenting the sports loving image of country, which made the day possible that Pakistan is allowed to conduct four $25,000 International events at Mushaf Squash Complex.

Amir expressed these views during Chief of Air Staff International $25,000 trophies unveiling ceremony held here at Serena Hotel. Pakistan Air Force Director Sports Group Captain Asghar Awan and Serena Hotels Director Sports Diplomacy Shahryar Khan were also present on the occasion.

He said the federation’s next target is to hold high-profile events carrying big prize money in Lahore, Karachi and Peshawar as well.

He promised to do everything he can to ensure next year Pakistan is allowed to conduct at least $50,000 prize money or more events.

“We have also registered another $25,000 International event for December as well and are waiting to name the event.”

When asked about why top ranked professional players are reluctant to enter their names for the $25,000 events in Pakistan and only 30 or above ranked PSA players register their names, Amir replied $25,000 is small money and top professional players rankings suffer if they enter these events. “We are working on a plan and very soon Pakistanis will be able to witness top 20 or beyond PSA players playing in front of them.”

Amir said 11 international players from Austria, USA, Egypt, Hong Kong, Netherlands, England and Jordan will be playing for the top honours in the CAS squash alongside Pakistani professional players. On poor performances of Pakistan players, Amir said their first objective was to ensure international squash return to Pakistan and providing maximum international exposure of playing top PSA players to our players. However he assured that in the PSF was working on war footings and will left no stone unturned to ensure Pakistani players reach top PSA rankings in due course of time.

“We have hired top coaches to achieve this goal. We are investing heavily on Pakistan National Squash Academies in Peshawar, Karachi and Islamabad and recent results are satisfactory. We won the Asian Senior Team Championship without the services of Nasir Iqbal and after very long time, we reclaim the prestigious World Junior Team Championship title in August this year. A lobby with a certain mindset is working against Pakistan and wants to isolate us but let me tell them clearly, Pakistan squash will rise from the ashes and the conspirators will die their own death.”

He admitted that Nasir’s absence was hurting Pakistan cause badly but the PSF is doing whatever it can and soon he will get his name cleared like our junior team get clearance from the newly-elected World Squash Federation office-bearers.

The PSF secretary said Pakistan is the home of champions and they know their responsibilities better than those who had just entered squash world. “We will never ever even think about getting results using unfair means as we are a highly responsible nation and will always win on squash courts.

On defeat of PSF senior vice president Air Vice Marshal (R) Syed Razi Nawab, who is also the vice president of Asian Squash Federation, in WSF elections despite having backing of Jahangir Khan and Qamar Zaman, Amir said they had had lobbied well and the main aim of contesting elections at the highest platform was to ensure getting Asian level events for Pakistan as the WSF doesn’t allocate Pakistan high-profile Asian events. “Razi was leading in the first counting but the time of the hotel where elections were being held, finished and it had to be shifted to another place. In the meantime, our Middle East block had flights and they left and we lost the elections with a very thin margin, but it is our success that WSF agree to carry on great Jahangir Khan as honorary president for another 4-year term.” 

Meanwhile Shahryar, Director Serena Hotels Sports Diplomacy, said they feel proud in working with Pakistan Air Force and they had signed a five-year agreement with the PSF to sponsor events and they would continue to work jointly for the betterment of sports in country.

48 players from Austria, Egypt, Netherland, England, Hong Kong, New Zealand and Jordan including top seeded players from Pakistan will compete for the top honours. The final qualifying round will start today. First round will be held on Friday, semi-finals on 20th and the final will be held on 21st.

PSF secretary Group Captain Amir Nawaz unveiling the CAS International trophies at Serena Hotels.-Staff photo by the reporter