ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) secretary Group Captain Amir Nawaz looked quite optimistic about female players chances in the Asian Games both individual and team event.
Talking to The Nation, Amir said: “For the first time in the history of Pakistan squash, female players were provided with facilities, coaches and playing conditions, which male had been enjoying since long. I accept in the past, female players were not given that priority or importance, which they deserved, but the situation is completely different now.”
He said: “In the 11 months in office, I emphasised on collecting best available female players from across the country. We have dig out talented players from KP, Punjab and Sindh and I have also requested Balochistan Squash Association (BSA) to find and recommend us upcoming females players to whom the federation may not only provide accommodation but also take good care of them.”
He added: “In the past, there were hardly any female ranking event, but now I have planned to hold Challenger-5 Series Championship either by the end of the current year or early next year.”
To a query regarding performance of Maria and Muqaddas in the Asian Games individual category, Amir replied: “I hope Maria will finish in top four and Muqaddas in top six. We would be quite satisfied, if female team finished top six. It would be a great achievement considering the fact that the world's best talent would be on display in the Asian Games. I believe, Asia possess the world's best talent, as Malysian, Indian and Hong Kong girls are mentally and physically very strong. I still believe Pakistani females are no lesser than any top player of the world, but they just lack participation in maximum international events.”
“In our very limited resources, it is not possible for us to pay due attention towards female players as well, as we had given top most priority to male players and available majority of resources for them. I am quite hopeful after a very successful meeting with Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC) secretary Chaudhry Ijaz, the special grant of Rs 50 million would be released soon. It would help ease our financial woes and we would be able to spend more money on the females as well. The IPC secretary has assured the grant would be issued by the next week,” Amir added.
To another query regarding female team’s chances and their training, Amir stated: “I am very much satisfied with the training, girls had got as they worked really hard alongside male players, which had definitely raised their morals and would help them a lot during the Asian Games.” When asked Sammer Anjum didn't bother to attend the training camp and just came at the eleventh hour, Amir said: “She was practicing at Punjab courts, and I think she is mentally and physically strong enough and prepared well for the coming event.”
It is pertinent to mention here that Sammer was sent reminders time and again to join the camp, but she kept on using delaying tactics. She should have attended the camp much earlier keeping in mind her worst performances in the recently-concluded World University Squash Championship in Chinnai, India, where she was knocked out at the very first hurdle.