ISLAMABAD - Top squash player Aamir Atlas Khan has said that federal interior minister has assured him of all-out help and appreciated his achievements for the country at international level.
Aamir called on Interior Minister Rehman Malik at his residence and discussed various issues the other day.
Aamir said Malik has also promised to recommend his name for the prestigious Pride of Performance Award, besides providing a job in NADRA as sports consultant. Aamir said that Malik also promised to arrange sponsors not only for him but also for other squash players to appear in PSA events.
About participating in PSA events his progress was not up to the mark, Aamir replied, he had a viral throat infection, which hampered his progress badly and that was the main reason of his exit in the first rounds of tournaments in US. As far as my decline in PSA rankings is concerned, I was on right track, but unfortunately PSF imposed ban on me, which badly affected my rankings, but soon I would regain my lost rankings. As soon as get rid of the viral throat infection, I would continue my full training."
Aamir further said, "I must appreciate PSF steps taken in last six months or so for providing maximum PSA events to players and also initiating a training programme in US and UAE. I must admit they have taken the step in the right direction," he added. Had they worked on that plan a year back, Pakistani players had given exceptional performances and they could have achieved much higher PSF rankings, he said.
PSF must continue this good work and provide facilities to the players, he said. "There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that our players have potential and talent and we are more than capable of lifting major international championships," confident Aamir concluded.