The Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) Vice-President Qamar Zaman said that a countrywide talent hunt was necessary for players from impoverished backgrounds and villages to think of taking up squash as a profession.
“It’s time we take this game to the underprivileged as well because they have the hunger to work hard,” Zaman told The Express Tribune. “There is a need to change the mentality that it can only be played by the elites. Players from remote areas and villages are physically strong which is what our professional players are lacking today.”
The game of squash has been dominated by just a few families of Peshawar before and after Independence with the likes of Hashim Khan, Azam Khan, Roshan Khan, Qamar Zaman and Mehboob Khan.
The former British Open champion said that the talent hunts all over Pakistan will help PSF strengthen the pool of players they have. He added that the best way to keep such players engaged towards the game will be to award scholarships and stipends to the best.
Three Pakistanis into last-16
Danish Atlas, Nasir Iqbal and Hamzah Bokhari reached the last-16 of the World Junior Squash Championship while Tayyab Aslam was controversially knocked out in Doha yesterday.
Third-seed Danish thrashed Brazil’s Josimar Silva 11-4, 11-3 and 11-7 while Iqbal beat Cheuk Yan Tang 11-3, 11-5 and 11-1. Bokhari overpowered Richie Fallows 14-12, 11-4 and 11-9. Meanwhile, Aslam’s 11-7, 7-11, 11-9 and 11-9 loss against Jan Van Den Herrewegen did not please coach Jamshed Gul.
“Aslam played out of his skin but he was denied a deserving win as several decisions went against him,” Gul told The Express Tribune. “He was on top. We won’t be creating controversy by registering a protest.”
Published in The Express Tribune, July 10th, 2012.
COMMENTS (2)
Comments are moderated and generally will be posted if they are on-topic and not abusive.
For more information, please see our Comments FAQ
1714024018-0/ModiLara-(1)1714024018-0-270x192.webp)
Mr. Zaman ironic that your proclamation comes on the same day that Chelsea Piers near New York Opens its doors to yet another elite segment of our society. Squash is prohibitively expensive and to really learn how to play this game it takes a lot of resources. I admire your comments greatly. tennis was once elite and then found a way through public and free courts outside the coutnry clubs to open up that great game to everyone. Squash needs to do the same thing, Chelsea Piers or like such clubs will only cater to those who can afford the high initiation fee and monthly fees. until squash opens up to the "masses" which isn't quite such a dirty word and won't ruin our sport, it will never ever be in the Olympics.
definitely not the game for all classes. you need to pay 50K upfront to register at Roshan Khan Jahangir Khan squash club.