Squash players undergo army-style training

Federation looking to improve players’ fitness ahead of Asian Championship.


Our Correspondent April 03, 2013
The PSF is looking to improve the players’ fitness in order to better equip them for lengthier matches on the squash court. PHOTO: EXPRESS

KARACHI: Pakistan squash players are undergoing army-style drills to improve their fitness ahead of the Senior Individual Asian Championship that is scheduled to start from May 1 in Islamabad.

The Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) has set up a month-long camp in Abbottabad and players are undergoing intense training, under the supervision of air force officials, at the Pakistan Military Academy at Kakul.

Female players have also joined the camp recently with 13 male players beginning the camp at the start.

“The intense training we’re receiving from the instructors will take our fitness at a higher level,” Farhan Mehboob told The Express Tribune. “This is something very demanding that will improve our endurance to stay on court for lengthier matches.”

Head coach happy with tough drills

Meanwhile, national coach Jamshed Gul stressed that the Pakistan players lacked fitness despite being a talented bunch.

“There are some very talented players but they have fitness issues,” said Gul. “This is why these drills are going to be so crucial. In addition, the responsibility and pressure increases on players whenever they play at home as people expect them to win. This is why the PSF wants to make sure that a local player wins the male’s event as female players do not stand a realistic chance of winning the title.

“The idea is to take the fitness levels of our players close to that of international standards, making them mentally and physically tougher as well.”

Gul added that despite the quota of 13 players being full, the PSF has asked Mansoor Zaman and Kashif Shuja to appear in the camp.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 4th, 2013.

COMMENTS (4)

Sad-Paki | 10 years ago | Reply

The resumption being that the Army knows a thing or two about modern day sports fitness...phew

Mad-Paki | 10 years ago | Reply

we have two world record holders in this game and still we are struggling. it is just sad that our former champions either have been sidelined or may be they dont care enough to help youngsters. same is true with cricket as our star bowlers are training indians but not our own.

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