“I really want to play this championship and win the title at home as I’m seeking a springboard to once get on the path of success,” says Atlas. PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI: The Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) sought an extension of one week from the Asian Squash Federation (ASF) for naming their final squad for the upcoming Individual Asian Championship that will be held from May 1 to 5 in Islamabad.
Although the deadline to submit the squads’ list ended on Monday, the PSF is keen to give time to injured Aamir Atlas Khan to recover and induct him in their line-up.
“We have requested an extension so that we may have Aamir in our squad,” a PSF official told The Express Tribune. “He is Pakistan’s top player and someone who is a genuine title contender. So we want to give him some time before making a decision whether to include him or replace him with someone else.”
The official said there was still some time in the championship and if Aamir gets in form by then, they can prepare him for the event by gradually working on his fitness and strengthening of muscles.
Aamir keen to play in mega event
Meanwhile, Aamir himself is keen to play in the event since he views it as an opportunity to turn around his fortunes since things have not gone his way for quite some time.
He said he would have a meeting with specialists soon to know whether he should take the risk or not.
“I have a meeting scheduled with the doctors arranged by PSF itself in a few days and then I will be able to decide anything,” said Aamir.
“I really want to play this championship and win the title at home as I’m seeking a springboard to once get on the path of success.”
Iqbal rises up to 58 in new PSA rankings
Nasir Iqbal moved 11 places up to 58th in the new rankings released by the Professional Squash Association and is just two places behind Aamir, who dropped down to 56 from 51.
Iqbal, currently in the best form of his squash career, is already aiming to break into the top 30 by the end of this year.
The other players in the top 100 are Yasir Butt (70), Farhan Zaman (87) and Danish Atlas Khan (92).
Published in The Express Tribune, April 3rd, 2013.
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