Squash players banned for ‘under-performing’

Jahangir believes federation made Aamir, Yasir and Waqar scapegoats.

KARACHI: The Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) has banned the country’s top players Aamir Atlas, Yasir Butt and Waqar Mehboob for ‘under-performing’ at the World Men’s Team Championship where the team finished a dismal 22nd position in Germany in August.

However, the decision drew criticism from the legendary Jahangir Khan, who believed that the players have been made scapegoats for the federation’s own failures.

According to the PSF press release, the players were banned after the body’s executive committee meeting that was convened to investigate the team’s poor show in Germany where the former world champions were knocked out in the first round — the worst show by Pakistan in the event’s history.

While there was no PSF official available to comment, the statement said that the committee reached the conclusion after a thorough analysis of related video recordings that the players “under-performed” and “did not uphold the good name of Pakistan squash”.

As a result, Atlas has been banned for two years from all local and international competitions, while Yasir Butt was handed a one-year ban. Waqar Mehboob received a six-month ban, while Nasir Iqbal has been cautioned. However, the PSF Secretary Irfan Asghar, who accompanied the team as coach and manager, walked away with a warning.

Jahangir wants accountability

The former world champion said the PSF officials should also be held accountable. “I don’t agree with the PSF’s course of action,” Jahangir told The Express Tribune. “A special committee of experts is appointed for these measures and it’s not the work of the executive body.”

He also criticised the decision of appointing the PSF secretary as the manager and coach of the team. “If players are responsible, then the PSF is also responsible for the poor show.”

Published in The Express Tribune, September 30^th,  2011.