ISLAMABAD - Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) secretary Group Captain Amir Nawaz completely rubbishes Danish Atlas and Farhan Mehboob's claim regarding not providing them tickets and TA/DA for participation in World Open Squash Championship starting from 13th of this month.
Talking with The Nation Amir said the actual facts was that they had paid Rs187,512 for each ticket for these two players and also provided them $600 each but they refuse to take that amount. “We also paid Rs17000 US visa fee for Farhan Mehboob and gone through long process of arranging visa. The players must not blackmail federation by using pressure tactics. Danish is at number 18 in qualifiers and Farhan is at number 39 and despite the fact that we are facing acute shortage of funds, we didn't let down our players. We are always ready to help players out, but players should also understand our limitations. There are ways and means to settle down issues. Nasir Iqbal is playing in the main round and we are just providing him ticket” He said Pakistan have complete representation in World Open with Nasir Iqbal, Farhan Zaman, Shahjehan Khan and Ammad Fareed participating in the event. If Danish and Farhan had used aome commonsense they could have also played in the event, he added.
Amir said just because of these players childish attitude the federation had to bear Rs40000 loss on both tickets for not turning up. “We have given two USA tickets to Danish. One is already reimbursed and second would be soon cleared. We also offered them that we will send more money with Nasir but they were not in a mood to accept our sincere offers.” He said the players should earn incentives through their performances and the federation had given players central contracts and they must abide by rules and regulations.
While sharing his views Farhan Mehboob termed federation responsible for the entire episode. “Secretary promised me to reach hotel and pack my luggage as the ticket and TA/DA will be provided there. But despite waiting till 2:00am nobody from federation turn up. They send ticket on WhatsApp, but kept us waiting for the much-needed dollars. I time and again called Amir Nawaz and Sikandar, but none of them pick our calls nor do they bother to respond. I request the PSF president to take notice of the situation. I, after a long gap, got an opportunity to play in the World Open, which was denied by the federation. It would badly affect my PSA rankings as well for not turning up.”
Danish also blamed federation for entire saga and said the PSF secretary promised to provide TA/DA but later he backed off. “I had just won Chicago Open and my incentive is also pending. I had trained hard for the World Open but federations blunder deprived me from this golden opportunity.” When asked he had signed central contract with the federation and they could ban him for issuing statement, Danish said: “Yes I had signed contract, but it is clearly mentioned in the contract that federation will take good care of the players. They had backed off from their promise. I would request the PSA not to impose fine on me but they would punish me and mark zero against my name for not showing up for the event.”