ISLAMABAD - South African top squash player Siyoli Waters termed Pakistan perfect place for all kinds of sporting events and rubbished the so-called security issue and negativity spread around about this beautiful country.
In an interview with The Nation, Siyoli, before her departure for homeland, said: “People talk too much about security issues in Pakistan and tried to scare me, but it was my firm belief, a country which organises sports could not be threat for me or any other international player who wanted to travel to Pakistan. This country has given legends to squash, and I am honored to visit it. Frankly speaking, I had never any kinds of doubts about security or any other issues and wanted to visit the birth place of great squash legends Jahanghir and Jansher Khan and others. I feel very honored and proud that I made the right decision of opting to play in Pakistan, otherwise, I could have missed a wonderful place, wonderful people and hospitality of Pakistanis.”
“Bahria Town had done tremendous job, and I want to especially thanks Imran Qadir, chief organiser of the Bahria Town International Squash championship, as he was such a wonderful host and always ready to help us. He remained in constant touch with all of us even when I was in South Africa and assured us best facilities. I must admit he lived up the expectations well beyond,” she added. Siyoli was also full of praise for Sitwat Babar, director projects Safari Club, chairperson organising committee and termed her efforts as mile-stone towards promotion of female squash in Pakistan.
When asked about the quality of female squash in Pakistan and how would she rate Pakistan female players, she replied: “I have never played against them, but they are quite good but they really need international exposure. I would request Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) and other associations to conduct more and more female events in the country as the more they will play, the better results they will produce.”
She was full of praise for Maria Toor for her brilliant and aggressive play and termed her worthy winner. “I never played against Maria before, but I watched her videos. She is technically very strong and play with lot of passion and knows how to baffle her opponents. I just got trapped in Maria's game plan and forget to play my natural game and just played catch up game. It was a complete physical and mental contest which I thoroughly enjoyed.”
When asked about whether she would like to come again to play in Pakistan, she replied with big yes. “Off course, I would love to come and play in Pakistan. Hopefully, next time the organisers will further raise the amount and next time, I will grab the title. I would take lot of good memories with me and cherish those moments, love, respect given to me by the Pakistanis. I would definitely share my experiences with others and hopefully manage to portray the exact picture of this country. I find no difference between South Africa and Pakistan, and it was just like playing at our own backyard,” Siyoli concluded.