Junior squash event marred by controversy

Sindh, Punjab pull out of event over ‘biased’ draws on opening day.

KARACHI: Just two days after squash brought glory to the country with a win in the Asian Team Championship, the sport was brought down to its knees as the qualifying round of the National Junior Open saw Sindh and Punjab pull out in protest.

The event, jointly organised by the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Squash Federation (KPSA) and the PAF in Peshawar, is held for players aged between 11 and 19 but, according to the Punjab Squash Association (PSA), favourable draws for the home side and unfair disqualification of over-age players, forced them to pull out.

Sindh federation lodges complaint

Meanwhile, Sindh Squash Association (SSA) President Tahir Khanzada confirmed that a complaint was lodged with the PSF with regards to the issues as the organisers lashed out at both federations over their conduct.

“Both teams could’ve played under protest and we could’ve settled the matter while the event was underway,” a KPSA official told The Express Tribune.

“Eighty per cent of Punjab players were over the age-limit but we were ready to facilitate most of them. We believe the fracas was all pre-planned because both federations made a quick exist. They didn’t even wait to sort things out.

They weren’t willing to talk. It shows their intention was to spoil the event because of our superiority on the court and how our players have dominated these events.”

The official confirmed that the event will go on as planned as there were talented players in Khyber- Pakhtunkhwa.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 8^th, 2012.