Ban hindering my preparations: Aamir Atlas
Pakistan's top squash player seeks removal of six month punishment.
KARACHI:
Pakistan number one squash player Aamir Atlas has appealed to the country’s federation to lift the six-month ban imposed on him.
Atlas said that he requested the Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) because the ban, which bars the 20-year-old from using court facilities, is hindering his preparations for the North American Open that starts on February 20.
The PSF imposed the ban after Atlas allegedly violated the code of conduct by speaking against squash legend Jansher Khan’s appointment as the head coach.
“I have spoken to the PSF regarding the ban,” Atlas told The Express Tribune. “I’ll be careful with my behavior. But I need to practice or I fear that I will lose in the North American tournament the way I did in the Swedish Open.”
According to Atlas, he has dedicated most of his time to outdoor training. He said that there are 15 squash courts in Peshawar, all of which are out of bounds for him and is, therefore, searching for a private facility where he can practice at least twice before flying to Virginia on February 18.
“I don’t have confidence in my game right now. I can’t even pull out of the tournament because I’ll have to pay a penalty and my ranking will go down further,” added Atlas who is ranked 29th in the world.
He added that he has 12 more international tournaments this year which also include the Asian Open in April.
While Atlas looks for alternatives, the PSF Vice-President Qamar Zaman said the body has not received a letter from the player and the matter will only be solved once the 20-year-old makes amends with Jansher.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 13th, 2011.
Pakistan number one squash player Aamir Atlas has appealed to the country’s federation to lift the six-month ban imposed on him.
Atlas said that he requested the Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) because the ban, which bars the 20-year-old from using court facilities, is hindering his preparations for the North American Open that starts on February 20.
The PSF imposed the ban after Atlas allegedly violated the code of conduct by speaking against squash legend Jansher Khan’s appointment as the head coach.
“I have spoken to the PSF regarding the ban,” Atlas told The Express Tribune. “I’ll be careful with my behavior. But I need to practice or I fear that I will lose in the North American tournament the way I did in the Swedish Open.”
According to Atlas, he has dedicated most of his time to outdoor training. He said that there are 15 squash courts in Peshawar, all of which are out of bounds for him and is, therefore, searching for a private facility where he can practice at least twice before flying to Virginia on February 18.
“I don’t have confidence in my game right now. I can’t even pull out of the tournament because I’ll have to pay a penalty and my ranking will go down further,” added Atlas who is ranked 29th in the world.
He added that he has 12 more international tournaments this year which also include the Asian Open in April.
While Atlas looks for alternatives, the PSF Vice-President Qamar Zaman said the body has not received a letter from the player and the matter will only be solved once the 20-year-old makes amends with Jansher.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 13th, 2011.