Sports

Meeting summoned to resolve ban issue

Sports minister to discuss Atlas situation with PSF officials.

Express January 24, 2011

KARACHI: Federal Sports Minister Ijaz Hussain Jakhrani has summoned the Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) officials and Aamir Atlas to resolve the issue of the ban that was imposed on the country’s top squash player. Atlas was handed a six-month ban by the PSF for violating its code of conduct, but the Asian Games gold-medallist has pleaded innocence.

Following the ban, Atlas threatened to play abroad after claims of being treated unfairly as the PSF defended its actions.

To resolve the issue, however, Jakhrani has summoned a combined meeting of the PSF and Atlas in which he would hear the grievances of both parties. “The minister has called for a meeting where he will hear complaints from both the PSF and Aamir,” PSF Secretary Irfan Asghar told The Express Tribune. “And we will definitely be attending the meeting to explain our actions.”

Senate’s body questions PSF on ban

Meanwhile, Asghar also explained the reasons behind the ban in a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Sports. The meeting was held in Islamabad yesterday, and was headed by the committee’s chairman Abdul Ghaffar Qureshi.

Asghar told the body that Atlas continued to violate its code of conduct despite repeated warnings. He cited the example of the squash player misbehaving with former world champion and head coach Jansher Khan in a television show. “We should set a precedent that this kind of behaviour is not acceptable at all,” said Asghar.

He explained that the PSF was making reforms to revive the sport and strict disciplinary action was part of its effort.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 25^th, 2011.

COMMENTS (2)

Asim+Ali | 13 years ago | Reply None of the current Pakistani squash players after Jehangir and Jansher have any major title to their names. Being a Pakistani no. 1 is no good if you do not win major titles such as British Open or World Open. The current Pakistani squash players need to work harder and smarter and they need to concentrate on winning major world squash titles. This country is lucky to have such legends such as Jehangir and Jansher Khan.

sahiba | 13 years ago | Reply from last 5 years jansher khan was voilating the code of conduct,and its on record on print & electronic media that jansher was always talking against pakistan squash federation and top national players as well as psf national coaches. This time also when he talked against about pakistan no 1 squash player Aamir Atlas Khan at live tv show ,that Aamir Atlas is finished,his time is finished. Than in replied Aa,ir defend himself by saying, i am not finished , i am 20 years old, and since 5 years i won many national & international events. And if any person in the world will listen jasher words that in age of 20 with many achievements and current pakistan no 1 is finished, they will laugh at jansher. Infact ex champion Mr Jansher don,t want any other player after him to bring glories to Pakistan.squash is imndividual sport,and every one have right to prove himself and to bring glories to his country, and we all should appriciate every single who is talented & performing well, not to discourage him or her. So we all & specially Jansher should appriciate and support Aamir,instead of demoralize him. Sahiba Ji.

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