PSF squashes national camps

Federation decides to switch to year-round training for squash players

KARACHI: In a bid to turn around the squash scenario in a country that once produced world champions like Jahangir and Jansher Khan, the Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) has decided to scrap the concept of limited-time national camps and replace it with round-the-year training at the Mushaf Squash Complex in Islamabad.

Previously, the federation held camps before important competitions both for junior players and seniors, but it has now decided that the players would be trained at the squash academy in the capital and will leave when required to play in their respective Professional Squash Association (PSA) tournaments.

PSF Secretary Amir Nawaz said the idea is to enable the federation to keep a check on the progress of players along with helping athletes maintain fitness and improve their mental game play as well. “We’ve finished the concept of training camps and now it is all about training throughout the year,” Nawaz told The Express Tribune.

He explained that most of the players entering the camps do see improvement in their fitness levels after going through training; however, they are unable to maintain fitness level required once the camps are concluded. “Now, with training all year round, players will be able to maintain their fitness level, while work would be done to improve their play as well,” said Nawaz.

He added that the players have been told that they can leave when they need to participate in different tournaments. Otherwise, they will have to keep playing in Islamabad.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 25^th, 2016.

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