Squash fraternity in seventh heaven over FMC Squash League

Revolutionary seven-team tournament earns rave reviews from participants

KARACHI: The number seven features very prominently in the FMC Premier Squash League, currently underway in Lahore.

The inaugural tournament has seven teams of seven players each from seven different age groups, and it has been such a huge success that the organisers, the sponsors, the team owners and the participants are all practically in seventh heaven.

For players such as Sheikh Saqib Yousaf and Tehrema Islam, the league offers a gilt-edged opportunity to kick-start their stalled careers, whereas for youngsters it provides a platform to hone their skills and learn from the best in the business.

"So far it has been a great experience," former national player and Treet Falcons captain Sheikh Saqib Yousaf told The Express Tribune on the eve of the tournament's final. "We should've had this kind of league earlier, although it is never too late. It is a great opportunity for domestic players because not only are we playing as a team but it is also a great way to groom young talent.”

All seven teams in the FMC league have a senior male and female squash player to go with one member each from U11, U13, U15, U17 and U19 age groups, bringing the team size to the magic number seven.

The league format sees players from same age groups pitted against each other, with each win netting their team two points, meaning the triumph of a youth player is just as valuable as the one by a senior — something that only adds to event's rich competitive ambience.

"In our match on Saturday, it all came down to our U11 teammate Hamza Shaukat's match. Like most other matches, it was very close too and very intense," recalled Yousaf under whose hands-on leadership the Falcons have amassed 10 points and qualified for the finals.

"This way, our next generation of squash players is learning to handle the pressure. And this way everyone's equal and just as important."

While cultivating the next crop of squash talent is one purpose of the FMC League, Yousaf is quick to remind that it is not the only one.

"I have represented Pakistan at Asian level but then I had to take a break from squash due to other commitments," explained Yousaf, who was world number 104 as late as 2015. "I feel there is more squash left in me and this is where I can restart my career. This league gives me a lot of motivation."

Former U15 player Tehrema, who plays for FMC Strikers, was also full of praise for the league's revolutionary format as well as the opportunity it offers to veterans and youngsters alike.

"It is a great initiative, mainly because in traditional knockout format we don't get to play enough matches. If a player had a bad day, they crashed out in the opening round and only got to play once, so the league format is definitely better," opined the 19-year-old LUMS student, another one who has found her way back to the squash court following a hiatus.

"I'm also able to interact and rub shoulders with top players such as Samar Anjum. At first, I thought they wouldn't even look at me but since we're all a team, everyone cares for everyone.

"At the same time, it brings a lot of pressure since your results don't just affect you but they affect the entire team's fate."

And this is just the start as Punjab Squash Association secretary Sheeraz Saleem claims they have even bigger plans in store for the league.

"We plan on holding the FMC League after every three months, have more teams involved, offer greater prize money than the current one (Rs1 million) and also invite international players," he said.

In addition to the Falcons and the Strikers, the FMC League also features Servis Stars, Trust Mavericks, Matrix Tigers, GNC Nicks and Diamond Paints Lions.

The tournament's final round will be played on April 24.