ISLAMABAD - Players in Pakistan had made it a habit of making lame excuses whenever they were beaten badly in a major event. Same is the case with self-proclaimed champion Aamir Atlas Khan, who described his worst defeat in the recently-concluded DG Rangers Championship lack of practice and no training with ‘super’ coach Faheem Gul.
Aamir should answer some simple questions as he had not attended or trained with national coach Jamshed Gul at all since winning the Asian Senior Individual Squash title in May. He had on number of occasions accepted complete change of fortunes and rise in his game due to professional expertise of Jamshed, now suddenly a change of heart is clearly witnessed in Aamir’s attitude. He is feeling the heat as he is dumped out from the prestigious event at the very first hurdle and that too from a little known player.
The matter of the fact is Aamir while talking to this scribe on number of occasions, described him fully fit and said he was going through intensive and hard training but now suddenly after a defeat at the hands of low-ranked player, he is claiming to be unfit and not trained well. It is harsh and biter reality that Aamir just focuses on incentives rather than his game and it is absolutely childish claim that he missed training with Faheem as neither the PSF nor the national coach barred him from attending any training session organised at Mushaf Ali Mir for the last five months or so.
Aamir had forget a harsh reality that it was same Faheem, who was the national coach of the country when Pakistan finished 22nd in the World Team Championship in Germany, it was he who reported the PSF about the players under performance and inflicted the federation’s ban on not only Aamir but also others. Aamir has such a short memory that he completely forgets that he along with other players revolted against same Faheem and declined to play under his command, which resulted in his termination as a national coach.
People always talk about Pakistan’s failure to produce even a single champion like greats Jahangir and Jansher Khan, the reason is very simple that both the greats, despite having biter rivalry on and off the court, always put country ahead of their egos. They only played for the pride of country not for money, that’s why despite a lapse of almost 15 years or so, people still remember Jahangir and Jansher and still they have been enjoying tremendous love and respect at national and international levels.
Situation is completely different as far as talking about the generation next as these so-called champions are no way near to Jahangir and Jansher. Instead of giving statements and tall claims, Aamir and others must focus on their main task of performing well for the country.
The PSF, after a very long gap, has made the right choice by appointing Jamshed Gul as national coach and his performances in less than two years speaks itself. Instead of revolting against one of the best coaches and creating hurdles in his way, the players should get training under his able guidance and should perform well for the country to earn laurels for it.
Aamir has well passed his peak days and if there is any hope left of staging comeback, it also looks highly unlikely under current circumstances. It is the time the PSF must take strong notice of the players’ unethical and illogical demands and make all the shots, as it is the PSF which produces a player while all the players in combined can’t even think about producing a federation.
Players always complain about the federation’s behaviour but they never realize their mistakes and what they owe to the country, which gave them name and fame and respect across the globe. If these players are unwilling to play for the country just because of their personal liking and disliking, they must be taught a lesson, which may be sufficient for the generations next and no one in future even dare to think about such silly demands.