ISLAMABAD - Former World Number 1 Jansher Khan Thursday vowed to inject new life in sagging sport field saying that he would put in all his efforts to help the country regain its last glory in squash.
"Pakistan has immense talent for squash. Skill-wise our players are matchless but their physical level is not that of international standard," he said after his appointment as Advisor to President Squash Federation (PSF), Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman.
Jansher, who won the World Open a record eight times and the British Open six times was appointed advisor to PSF President on Thursday after he called on him at his office here. He said in his meeting with the PSF president he had discussed a plan to initiate recovery and uplift standard of squash in the country.
"It involves good organization and discipline," he said adding that much more efforts were needed for resurgence on international level once again.
Pakistan, once known as squash's most successful nation possess no British Open winner since 1997. Even it has failed to make in world's top ten players since 1997. Currently Pakistan holds no player who can qualify for the British Open main draw.
But Jansher believed that Pakistan could once again be a formidable nation in squash as soon it would start producing top class players. "We have great talent but we need to be focused. I'm sure soon we will start making squash champions," he maintained.
He said that during the ongoing Chief of Air Staff International Squash Championship he would stay in Islamabad to have a closer look at Pakistan players. "I have decided to stay here to closely watch their game. I will be observing their game throughout the event. This will help me to assess what they really lack. This will help me to plan for their improvement accordingly."
He said that initially he would be focusing on Farhan Mehboob, Nasir Iqbal, Waqar Mehboob and Amir Atlas as well as some budding players from the country's squash academies. "We have very good academies in Lahore, Karachi and Peshawar. We can find out future champions from these academies. I will be happy if I assist my country in producing world champions."
The legendary squash player said that he would be having two assistant trainers who would provide training to players in his presence.
"I will also be with them and once a week will myself train them. "Squash is a game which demands consistent hard work and training. There is no room for complacency in squash. We will have to make our players physically and mentally tough," he added. Lauding PSF president's efforts for uplift of the game, Jansher said that he had found him a sincere and committed man and believed that steps taken by him would go a long in improving standard of squash in the country.