We want to hold bigger events: PSF

Squash official confirms talks with governing body underway.

KARACHI:

The Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) is in talks with the sport’s governing body over key issues including the return of the World Tour Event to the country after a gap of over three years.

The PSF is keen on bringing squash back to Pakistan and also allow local players a chance to improve their ranking while taking on competition from around the world.

“We’re in constant talks with the World Squash Federation (WSF) and seeking its permission to hold the $25,000 event in Pakistan,” a senior PSF official told The Express Tribune. Currently, the PSF holds just four $10,000 tournaments per year which was not bringing the top-ranked players to the country.

The official added that the WSF should help Pakistan regain the confidence of foreign players.

“The PSF has requested them to lift the ban on international entries and the negotiations are at an advance stage. We could have a major breakthrough in this regard in the near future as we try hard to get the hosting rights for the mega event in Pakistan.”

Pakistan will be holding the Asian Masters Championship in September as well as the Asian Individual Championship in 2013. Meanwhile, the official urged the PSF to start sending players to PSA tournaments for exposure.

“Federations all over the world take care of their players and their rankings. But here, in Pakistan, it is the complete opposite and the players have to do everything on their own which can’t happen all the time. The PSF should start playing its role if it is serious about regaining Pakistan’s lost pride in squash.”

Published in The Express Tribune, July 27^th, 2012.