Don’t blame rule changes, urges Jansher

Squash coach unhappy with complaints on PSA’s decision.

KARACHI:

As national players lament a change in the draw system, the Pakistan Squash Federation’s (PSF) chief coach Jansher Khan urged the team to focus on their game rather than blaming the world body for changes in rules.

The Professional Squash Association (PSA) introduced a new draw system which counts only the top four seeds while the other seeds are counted among qualifiers or wildcard entrants and can face top four seeds in the very first round.

Pakistan number two Farhan Mehboob, who will experience the new system in the Kuala Lumpur (KL) Open, has voiced his concerns after he was drawn against pre-tournament favourite Azlan Iskandar in the first round.

“The system doesn’t support merit,” said Mehboob. “A player, even if he is a wildcard entrant, can advance in the tournament while players who are doing all the hard work can be knocked out in the very first stage.”

However Jansher is not convinced with Mehboob’s protest.

“Players should stop complaining and should focus on their game instead,” Jansher told The Express Tribune. “They should be ready to face and beat any top player. This is the attitude we require to revive our lost status in the game.

“We also faced many changes in our era; for instance a change from the wooden racket to graphite, but our focus remained on the game. Players must learn to adapt to changes quickly.”

KL Open starts today

The CIMB KL Open is starting today with two players from Pakistan taking part in the main rounds of the $53,000  event. While Mehboob will face top Malaysian player, Pakistan number one Aamir Atlas will meet a qualifier in his first-round match.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 17^th, 2011.