Pakistan likely to host more squash events

Squash federation could get four more PSA events next year.

KARACHI: Striving to bring back international tournaments to the country, the Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) is likely to get four additional Professional Squash Association (PSA) events from next year, it has been learnt by The Express Tribune.

The likelihood of the tournaments being sanctioned by February 2013 was discussed in the PSF’s 34th Executive Committee meeting held at the Mushaf Squash Complex in Islamabad.

The federation’s senior vice-president Air Vice Marshal Syed Razi Nawab presided over the meeting, which was attended by representatives of provincial associations.

“We’re very close to getting four PSA tournaments out of which two will be of $25,000 and two of $10,000,” an official privy to the discussion told The Express Tribune. “The Asian Squash Masters held in Lahore was a success and the presence of greats like Geoff Hunt, Jonathan Power, Ross Norman has sent a strong message to the world that we can stage big events now.”

He added that the federation has been in constant touch with PSA over the staging of these events and have even discussed the idea of hosting them in Islamabad, Lahore, Peshawar and Karachi.

Meanwhile, PSF Secretary Abdul Wahab Marwat came under fire for modifying the rankings system that puts Farhan Mehboob in eighth place. A committee, including former great Qamar Zaman and Sindh Squash Association President Tahir Khanzada, has been formed to devise a new system.

The participation of Pakistan in future international events and players’ performances were also discussed.

“The players will be given time to produce results at the PSA circuit as they can’t start winning overnight,” said Marwat. “We want to make sure that a proper chance is given to them to improve their rankings.”

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