Islamabad - Pakistani squash players’ highly questionable performances in the Commonwealth men’s and women’s singles squash event in Gold Coast, Australia is a worrisome sign for Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF).
The PSF must come out of the past glory days and start thinking about future, which is highly bleak. Since long, none of Pakistani players managed to win any major title nor they are presently in even top 50 in PSA rankings. Besides federation, the players are also equally responsible for the downfall of Pakistan squash.
Another disappoint thing is that instead of helping Pakistan squash, most of the squash legends are busy in their personal interests while one or another legend has his personal issues with players and they waste no time to settle personal scores and inflict huge damages to not only particular player but also to the country.
Having no proper and professional squash coach for Pakistan teams is another reason behind Pakistan squash debacle as when Pakistan had Jamshed Gul as head coach, Pakistani players kept on giving their best and managed to break into top 50, but as soon as after his sacking, Pakistan squash has still been suffering. Now the PSF has hired an old coach, who is unable to move freely, how on earth he will help Pakistan squash regain lost glory?
Some of the PSF officers have personal issues with top players like Farhan Mehboob and Aamir Atlas who are proven stuff and are more than capable of winning laurels for the country at international level. Their presence in national team could bring very fruitful results, but the federation never thinks beyond few certain individuals, who have their personal agenda and they are least bothered about Pakistan squash.
Unless the PSF president takes bold decision and seeks complete report from the federation regarding last 10 years performance of Pakistani players. The PSF must invite associations and affiliated units and leading sports journalists of the country to seek solutions, which can surely help in improving standard of the game.
When contacted PSF secretary Group Captain Tahir Sultan to seeks his point of view of such pathetic results of Pakistan players, Tahir said: “We were expecting much better results but the players disappointed us. We provided each and everything to the players, who in return, take responsibility and help the country win laurels at international level.
“We will call an emergency meeting very soon, sit with associations and players to chalk out next plan. We can’t sit back and watch players not fighting the way they should. I assure you that the federation is very much alive to the situation and will address root cause and not take things lightly,” he added.