Squash: Gul lauds Bokhari’s performance in Korea

Youngsters’ fitness helped clinch junior title, says coach.

KARACHI: Pakistan head coach Jamshed Gul said that squash player Ali Bokhari played a vital role in helping them to claim the Asian Junior Championship boys’ title against arch-rivals India in the final that was played in Korea.

Pakistan went on to crush India 2-0 in a one-sided match courtesy Bohakri’s impressive win against Mahesh Mangoankar, a player who was playing in Asian junior circuit for the fifth time and has already broken into the senior national team as well.

Bokhari defeated Mangoankar 11-5, 5-11, 9-11, 11-6 and 11-7 while Bilal Zakir won in straight sets against Deepak Mishra 11-7, 11-6 and 11-9.

“Bokhari rose to the occasion to give us an unexpected lead and put a severe dent in India’s hopes,” Gul told The Express Tribune. “I wasn’t expecting a win in that game but Bokhari put in an inspiring performance against someone who is playing at the top level as he is based in England.”

Meanwhile, he also praised other players Zakir, Ammad Fareed and Tayyab Aslam, stating that the youngsters’ good shape led to the triumph and emphasised that he will continue working with them.

Gul was quick to acknowledge the girls team as well, which participated in the event despite having limited time to prepare.

Saadia Gul, Faiza Zafar, Samar Anjum and Riffat Khan had travelled to Korea for the event.

“The signs are positive and we will continue to promote the girls because they have the potential to do well. With the exposure, their game will get better.”

Pakistan have now won both senior and junior Asian Team Championships but the official said that they will not relax and are setting up a high intensity training camp in Abbottabad from March 16. The training will run through one month which will focus purely on improving fitness and both boys and girls will attend the high altitude camp.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 27^th, 2013.