Squash: Girls’ team to play against boys in practice
National team coach Gul wants novices to toughen up ahead of Asian event.
PHOTO: FILE
Pakistan squash coach Jamshed Gul is pitting the girls’ team against boys in order to help them gain better training for the Asian Junior Championship that will be held in Korea from February 20 to 24.
The girls’ team includes Samar Anjum, Sadia Gul, Riffat Khan and Faiza Zafar who were selected on the basis of their ranking after trials under the supervision of Gul himself. Currently they are undergoing training in Islamabad.
The coach said since it will be the first appearance for the girls at the Asian level, he wants them to get used to playing against tough opponents.
“Our girls will be appearing in an Asian event for the first time, which is why I’m arranging their matches against boys,” Gul told The Express Tribune. “The level of our team isn’t at par with Hong Kong, India, Malaysia and Japan. Therefore, this training will help them in gaining experience to play against tough opposition and they may even cause an upset.”
However, the coach said it would be imprudent to expect miracles from the girls and they should be given time to learn their trade against professionals. He said that the Pakistan Squash Federation is keen on strengthening women’s squash as well so that the girls can compete for honours in the years to come.
Gul added that the girls’ team is undergoing three training sessions daily – equivalent to the boys’ schedule – to ensure the best possible fitness before the event.
“We have reasonable talent, but it all depends on how we hone their skills and the effort players put in to achieve success. At the end of the day it’s all about the desire of an individual to reach the top.”
Published in The Express Tribune, February 1st, 2013.
The girls’ team includes Samar Anjum, Sadia Gul, Riffat Khan and Faiza Zafar who were selected on the basis of their ranking after trials under the supervision of Gul himself. Currently they are undergoing training in Islamabad.
The coach said since it will be the first appearance for the girls at the Asian level, he wants them to get used to playing against tough opponents.
“Our girls will be appearing in an Asian event for the first time, which is why I’m arranging their matches against boys,” Gul told The Express Tribune. “The level of our team isn’t at par with Hong Kong, India, Malaysia and Japan. Therefore, this training will help them in gaining experience to play against tough opposition and they may even cause an upset.”
However, the coach said it would be imprudent to expect miracles from the girls and they should be given time to learn their trade against professionals. He said that the Pakistan Squash Federation is keen on strengthening women’s squash as well so that the girls can compete for honours in the years to come.
Gul added that the girls’ team is undergoing three training sessions daily – equivalent to the boys’ schedule – to ensure the best possible fitness before the event.
“We have reasonable talent, but it all depends on how we hone their skills and the effort players put in to achieve success. At the end of the day it’s all about the desire of an individual to reach the top.”
Published in The Express Tribune, February 1st, 2013.