Women’s squash camp concludes in Abbottabad

The first phase of the Pakistan Squash Federation women’s camp for the 16th Asian Games concluded in Abbottabad.

KARACHI: The first phase of the Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) women’s camp for the 16th Asian Games concluded in Abbottabad yesterday following two months of vigorous training.

Coach Fahim Gul trained the six-member Asian Games squad which includes Pakistan’s top-seed Maria Toor Pakay as well as Zoya Khalid, Muqaddas Ahsraf, Saima Shoukat. Roshna Mehmoob and Riffat Khan are kept as standby members.

“We have to hold the camp for two more months because the women’s team needs more practice as compared to the men’s team,” Gul told The Express Tribune. “This is the first time that the PSF has held a thorough camp for the women’s squad and it is a good sign. Previously the camps for female players would never last for more than a week.”

According to Gul, who also coached Pakistan’s squad for the 2010 men’s World Junior Squash Championship, the women’s team stands a good chance at the Asian Games as Pakistani female players are constantly progressing in the international circuit. He said he has high hopes, particularly from Maria, who has leapt 13 places from 85 to 72 in the world rankings.

The members will rejoin the camp in Abbotabad on September 20, which will continue till November 8.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 4^th, 2010.