Squash: Atlas, Yasir a bit rusty right now, says coach

Duo returns to training after getting bans overturned.

KARACHI: Amir Atlas Khan and Yasir Butt, who  recently had their bans overturned by the Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF), have joined the national training camp in Islamabad but need to get back in shape quickly, according to head coach Jamshed Gul.

Atlas was banned for two years while Butt faced a year out but with the reshuffle in the federation, both players, following an apology, had their sanctions overturned. “Both are a bit rusty but they’ll get into shape soon,” Gul told The Express Tribune. “They’ll take time to adjust to the new training methods but their presence will be beneficial for the junior players ahead of the World Junior Championship in July.”

Gul added that he wanted the youngsters to take on Atlas, Butt and Farhan Mehboob during training in order to prepare for the mega event. The senior trio will be taking part in the Jena International Event in Kuwait City from June 15 and, according to the coach, the event will show the federation where the players stood against top International opposition.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 31^st, 2012.