Squash federation remains hopeful

KARACHI: Despite Pakistan’s continuous decline in international rankings, Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) believes the country still has enormous talent and remains optimistic about its players would shine on the global arena in the near future.

In the latest rankings issued by the Professional Squash Association (PSA), none of the Pakistan players feature in the top 20 with Aamir Atlas being the top ranked Pakistani, falling from 14th to 22nd. However, the PSF Secretary Wing Commander Irfan Asghar felt that Pakistan can regain the top position in the sport they enjoyed for decades.

“It’s sad that Pakistan is going through a decline but I can say with confidence the country will revive the lost status as it has talented youngsters who can be future world champions,” Asghar told The Express Tribune. “The players did well in the World Team Championship, they won the Asian Senior Championship besides taking gold medals at the South Asian Games so I think their performance is improving.”

Asghar added the federation is hoping for a good show from the youngsters in the World Junior Championship to be held in Ecuador in August.

Published in the Express Tribune, June 5^th, 2010.