Squash players lack form: official

Trials, PSA events prove hindrance in preparing for World Team Championship.

KARACHI:

Pakistan’s preparations for the prestigious World Team Championship have not been going according to plan as players have barely had the opportunity to train together due to trials and their participation in various Professional Squash Association (PSA) events.

After the Asian Individual Championship, the focus shifted to scheduling trials to finalise a four-member squad for the mega event. However, the trials had to be delayed for a week to provide rest to the players and once the selection process ended, along came the PSA events.

There, Pakistan players failed to record any notable performances which further dented their confidence. Now with just a week to go, the four-member squad that includes Farhan Mehboob, Nasir Iqbal, Farhan Zaman and Sheikh Saqib Yousuf will regroup tomorrow for a few days before heading to France.

“It isn’t the ideal preparation for Pakistan as we gear up for one of the biggest events,” a PSF official told The Express Tribune. “Normally, we would have wanted the players to spend some time together as it helps in building a bond among them which is necessary for team competitions.

“Ideally, the PSF should have just selected the squad members for the world championship right after the Asian Championship to give them and the coach ample time to plan out their game and strategies. When you shift from the Asian level to world events, it’s a big change.”

Published in The Express Tribune, June 2^nd, 2013.