Samar rues lack of progress

Female squash player disappointed with country’s improvement.

KARACHI: Pakistan may have been the biggest contributor for all the fame squash has received in the men’s category, but the country has failed to produce top female players or the funds to initiate their rise.

Their male counterparts, on the other hand, have been provided financial support from the Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) – not regularly though – to take part in Professional Squash Association (PSA) tournaments to help them maintain their rankings.

But for female players, once they cross a certain age-group category, chances of taking part in international tournaments and gaining exposure are cut down, leaving them with little scope to pursue the sport.

Women’s International Squash Professional Association (Wispa) tournaments are the only hope left for female players, but these cannot be afforded by them alone.

A similar problem is faced by Samar Anjum, who recently crossed the U19 category.

“Wispa tournaments are necessary for me to improve my ranking since I’ve now crossed the U19 category,” Samar told The Express Tribune. “I know my chances to take part in international tournaments have been cut short as Pakistan does not have a standing in the female category as compared to our male counterparts. Thus, I will have to appear in Wispa tournaments to improve my rankings.



“But, I can’t play those events on my own.”

Pakistan’s current top-ranked player in the female category Maria Toor Pakay, ranked 53, has reached this standing with the aid of former world champion Jonathon Power of Canada. Samar, the only other Pakistan female player in the top 200, is languishing at 196.

Samar recently won a Wispa satellite event by lifting the DHA International Squash Championship in Karachi, and now aims to fight for more titles. But, she stressed that the PSF must back the female players by providing financial support for the event just as they did for male players.

“I’ll request the PSF to provide financial assistance for me so that I can play in the $5,000 Wispa events to start with and improve my overall game,” added Samar. “The current management of the federation has said that it will support female players as well and I hope they come forward and support not only me but other players as well.”

Published in The Express Tribune, June 6^th, 2013.