Squash: PSF gives in to players’ demands

Squash officials say ranking events, better facilities to be provided.

KARACHI: The country’s top players ended their temporary boycott and reported at the Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) training camp that started on September 1.

Earlier, the players had taken a stance against the PSF’s indifferent attitude on planning Professional Squash Association (PSA) events. Waqar Mehboob announced that he would leave the country to feature in events in the US, appearing for the Pyramids Squash Club in New York with several other players also threatening to follow suit. PSF senior officials Razi Nawab and Wahab Marwat then had to appease the annoyed players.

Marwat travelled to Peshawar at least four times in order to settle the matter with Atlas Khan, father of Amir Atlas Khan and Danish Atlas Khan, and Mehboob Khan – father of Farhan Mehboob, Waqas and Waqar.

“Marwat did whatever it took to handle the troubled situation as it was seriously threatening the game in Pakistan,” a senior PSF official told The Express Tribune. “Though he wasn’t welcomed initially and was sent back empty-handed, the fathers later decided to meet him to sort out the matter.”

It has been learnt that the players have asked the federation to give them ranking events, better accommodation and food which was not being provided previously. Daily allowance could rise up to Rs500, five times as before. It was reported that Amir Atlas did not feature in the Malaysian Open qualifiers after the PSF failed to provide a ticket.

Meanwhile, Marwat said that the federation wanted to provide better facilities to players in order to help them improve their world standing but said that a more committed attitude needed to be seen.

“We’ll give them events and facilities to improve their ranking but they should give their all as well. Every player is likely to get at least two events under their belt this year.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 13^th, 2012.