Tooting their own horn: PSF secretary lauds federation’s initiatives

Nawaz says recent changes helped country claim Asian Team Championship in Taiwan

KARACHI: Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) Secretary Amir Nawaz, who travelled with the victorious team to Taiwan for the 18th Asian Team Championship, said the team’s triumph without top players Nasir Iqbal and Aamir Atlas is a result of the federation placing trust in other players.

Nawaz claimed the PSF has been trying to give players as much exposure and experience as possible in the last few years, with the players’ primary complain having been a lack of Professional Squash Association (PSA) tournaments.

Pakistan missed their top PSA-ranked player Iqbal due to suspension in an alleged case of doping while high-profile brothers Aamir and Danish Atlas Khan were also missing from the team due to other commitments abroad.

However, despite missing these players, the trio of Farhan Zaman, Farhan Mehboob and Tayyab Aslam ensured that Pakistan emerge victorious and bag Pakistan’s 15th title.

“This title gives us real satisfaction because we were missing several top players but these boys paid back the trust and investment we have put in them,” Nawaz told The Express Tribune.

The secretary pointed out the changes he believes have led to the improvement in squash standards. “We’re now offering $25,000 tournaments in Pakistan and instead of training camps have set up academies,” he said. “Academies allow the players to train around the clock while they are now being paid well through central contracts.”

Farhan Zaman also lauded the PSF for their role in the team’s triumph, stating his confidence got a huge boost after he was sent to the US to train.

Nawaz added that more players will be given exposure and the recent series with Egypt has allowed upcoming Pakistani players to believe they can take on the best.

“The series against Egypt was a real morale booster for Pakistan squash players because they realised these Egyptians who are currently dominating squash are not super humans,” said Nawaz. “We intend to do these kinds of things more.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 18^th, 2016.

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