World Team Squash Championship: Pakistan asked to finalise squad by tomorrow

World governing body unimpressed by PSF’s indecision.

KARACHI:

Pakistan’s participation in the upcoming World Team Squash Championship is in the doldrums as the country’s squash federation has been given a deadline to finalise their team for the event by tomorrow.

The Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) had already requested an extension from the World Squash Federation (WSF) to announce their team by May 18 in order to hold trials to select four players to go to France. However, owing to a deadlock between the federation and the players meant that no team was finalised before the deadline.

The Express Tribune earlier reported that in case no trials were held, the PSF will have to name their squad on the basis of the players’ rankings.

According to the current rankings, Pakistan’s four-member squad should include Aamir Atlas Khan, Farhan Mehboob, Nasir Iqbal and either Danish Atlas Khan or Farhan Zaman.

Earlier, senior players Aamir and Farhan had objected against appearing for trials, stating that their skills and experience formed the basis for their exemption.

However, with all deadlines violated, the WSF has been left unimpressed by Pakistan’s indecision.



“The WSF has asked the PSF to make it clear whether they want to send their team or not by tomorrow,” an official close to the matter told The Express Tribune. “The world body is not happy that it has taken so long for Pakistan to send their final team details. The PSF has to act quickly otherwise the team will not be able to participate if the deadline passes. This has emerged as an embarrassing situation but it would become even more embarrassing if we fail to send our team because of such a petty issue.”

‘PSF should act quickly’

One of the players, who is expected to be included in the four-member national squad for the world championship, said that the PSF must act swiftly in order to avoid any controversy which could bring a bad name to Pakistan.

“The PSF should find an amicable solution quickly, otherwise it could create a controversy,” he said. “We’ll also miss one of the most important events in squash and that would be a huge blow for us.”

Published in The Express Tribune, May 19^th, 2013.