It’s my destiny to restore Pakistan’s lost pride

Israr Ahmed, the British Junior Under-15 Open champion, expresses his desire to be the next Jansher Khan.

KARACHI:

A dream debut at the international squash circuit saw Israr Ahmed land the coveted British Junior Under-15 Open title this month and the teenager feels that it is his destiny to revive Pakistan’s lost status in the sport.

Ahmed, who defeated Egypt’s Youssef Soliman 3-2 in the final, wants to bring his country back on the squash map, like it once was, which is currently dominated by Egypt.

The 14-year-old from Lahore took up squash when his father, a Pakistan Railways employee, encouraged him to train at the Punjab Squash Complex. With the introduction to the sport came the longing to emulate the great Jansher Khan.

“I don’t remember how my life started revolving around squash but all I remember is that my father would leave me at the Punjab Squash Complex and I would just look at every player who would enter the court,” Ahmed told The Express Tribune. “My older brother would accompany me on those trips and after a few months, I would beat him in every match that we played.

“Now, I can’t wait to become Pakistan’s number one. I’ve seen Jansher play and all I think about is how I can be as successful as he was.”

Practice makes perfect, realises Ahmed

Ahmed took up the sport five years ago and has trained with three different coaches so far. He normally practices for two hours a day but since his title-winning show in England, he wants to go up to five.

“Jansher was famous for the way he trained. He’d spend five hours in the court practicing for a match and I’m trying to do the same.”

But taking five hours out for training when he is still a student is not easy for Ahmed, especially since his ninth-grade exams are due in March. After his success, he has made squash his priority but has also been issued a reminder by his father that a poor show in the exams will result in his racquet being taken away, shattering his aims and dreams alike.

“Playing squash for Pakistan was my father’s dream and now that he’s seen me do well, he wants me to at least complete my Matriculation. But that doesn’t mean that I’m not participating in tournaments till March. I’ll be playing in the Pakistan Circuit II in February.

“I can’t stop playing if I want to become Pakistan number one by next year.”

Ahmed has what it takes: official

According to Gogi Alauddin, who accompanied the Pakistan contingent to the tournament, the Pakistan Squash Federation can pin their hopes on Ahmed becoming the next world champion.

“Pakistan have produced world champions and Ahmed has the fire and desire to get to the top,” said Alauddin. “His passion and skills are two things that set him apart from others and that will take him a long way.”

Published in The Express Tribune, January 14^th, 2012.