ISLAMABAD - Pakistan squash team head coach Jamshed Gul Khan termed his player’s fitness around 65 to 70 percent for the upcoming World Open Individual Squash Championship starting from November 26 in Manchester, England.
Talking to The Nation on Monday, Jamshed said: “Farhan and Nasir are responding very well and I am more satisfied with the devotion shown by them. They are the future of squash and I have very little doubt about their abilities. They are the best players and just lack motivation and fitness.”
He said Farhan reached world number 14 rankings and was just two events away from being within top 10. He could have easily become the first player after great Jahangir and Jansher to book a place in the world’s elites if proper training was given to him.
“Farhan has already beaten the world’s best players and he will repeat the same if he focuses on his game plan, control his emotions and doesn’t get panic as players are fully aware that they can’t beat him because of his superior game. So they use tricks and try to agitate him so he needs to remain calm,” he added. Jamshed added that the PSF had provided exceptional facilities and now it’s up to the players to respond in best possible way and the best way of baying back is to try to give their 100 percent to win the prestigious trophy for the country.
Sharing his views, Farhan accepted that a turn round has come not only in his game but also in his attitude. “I must confess that the coach has done wonders as he has given tremendous attention to not only me but also to Nasir Iqbal. We played competitive squash daily and which allowed us to change our style and plan after facing off each and every individual.”
“We get training in two sessions; the morning session starts at around 9am and the afternoon session at 2pm in which we focus on mental, physical and practical areas, which is helping us greatly. We are getting tremendous assistance from the federation. I am sure with such focus, training and hard work of coach, we will respond positively and burn our hearts out to win the title for the country,” Farhan concluded.
Nasir Iqbal said that he committed a lot of mistakes in the past four months or so and badly missed training with the head coach. Now the federation provided the opportunity and he is going to utilize it.
“I must admit that things in the federation are now moving in the right direction. Senior vice president Syed Razi Nawab has promised us that players will not complain about lack of facilities as they are getting the best ones. Now I have realised that I should try to win the laurels for the country in the upcoming events,” he concluded.