ISLAMABAD - Like previous years, Pakistan squash seemed struggling this year too to regain its lost glory when it ruled the world of squash for many decades but now with current lot, which is not as hard working as the past greats, the chances of retaining that glory look quite bleak.
Though the Pakistani players showed a lot of character in the early part of 2014 and managed to retain the Asian Senior Team Squash Championship title facing tough challengers like Malaysia and Hong Kong, Kuwait and Indians, yet such struggle was not witnessed which was promised when the resolution for 2014 was made at the start of the year.
There is no dearth of talent in Pakistan which is blessed with quality squash abilities. Its appropriate example is that when ex-Asian junior champion Syed Ali Mujtaba Bokhari decided not to defend his title, Tayyab Aslam came to the front to complete this mission and with his natural abilities and utmost efforts, he retained the title for the country after beating Indian lad in the final played in Jordan.
Nasir Iqbal, this year, took giant strides in the PSA rankings and jumped from mid 60th to 41st, which was his highest world rankings and he, among the current lot, also became only Pakistani player to grab top 50 position in the Players Squash Association (PSA) rankings.
Aamir Atlas Khan, who always remained a problem child as far as Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) is concerned, showed his unmatched qualities time and again, and despite being treated as step-son by the federation, he never lost hope and always responded in style.
The PSF continued with its self-styled policies throughout the year, showering countless benefits on just one or two certain individuals, while completely ignoring others like Aamir, Danish and Farhan Mehboob who suffered the most as these players, despite having credentials and caliber, got the boot from the federation when it came to the PSA events.
Aamir kept his brilliant run up despite fighting with injuries one after another and managed to play the final of the $25,000 PSA event held in Pakistan after a gap of almost eight years. Not even half fit, Aamir managed to beat top players including Nasir Iqbal enroute to the final, where he finally lost against top seed Egyptian Omer Abdul Meguid. He also managed to reach Dubai $25,000 semifinals and cleared the qualifying round of World Open. Had the PSF paid enough attention on Aamir and utilized his services properly, he could have easily played the sheet-anchor role and helped the country win more laurels at international stage like he did in the past.
It was not a memorable year for Nasir, who despite playing in the major events semi-finals and even finals, could not show his potentials fully, and suffered some worst injuries at the hands of opponents. It was a mixed year for him, as he managed to climb to 41 in the PSA rankings, but failed to win any major event throughout 2014, but he continued to enjoy the PSF backing and unconditional support.
Pakistan suffered humiliation in the Asian Games, where they were the defending champions, but could not pass even quarterfinal stage and lost against Hong Kong first and then in the must-win match against Kuwait, which ended their run in the event. Aamir had offered to play for the country in the Asian Games, but the PSF was not in a mood to accept the offer, as they were flying high. Had Aamir included in the team, the results could have been far better. No one else but the PSF must be held responsible for the poor results in the Asian Games. A strong reaction was witnessed in this regard, as POA president Lt Gen (r) Arif Hassan and IPC Minister Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada took strong notice of the debacle and sought detailed report from the federation which kept a mum and despite lapse of several months, no inquiry report was submitted.
Instead of giving justification for poor performance in the Asian Games, the PSF passed on the entire burden of defeat on head coach Jamshed Gul Khan, who was a ray of hope for Pakistan squash and helped the same players, who were down and out and were nowhere in the PSA rankings, to reach new heights, also helped the country win all the major titles in Asia, helped Pakistan junior team finish second twice in world juniors championship and the country got 10th position in world team squash championship. The decision of firing Jamshed as head coach would prove a big blow to Pakistan squash.
Pakistan junior team is all set to defend its Asian Junior Team Championship title in Malaysia, an event which was supposed to be held in Pakistan, but the country was stripped off from hosting rights. The PSF kept mum on the entire situation and accepted the Asian Squash Federation (ASF) unjust and unwise decision, now it claims juniors are training under Faheem Gul in Lahore, but the chances of Pakistan team looks bleak. Only extraordinary efforts from time-tested Ali Bokahri and Taayab Aslam can save the country blushes, otherwise, it looks very likely Pakistan may lose the title as well.
There is no one who could seek answer from the federation as one end, the it is crying for getting funds but on the other hand, they have bought 80,000 pounds five-glass court from Germany and installing it in Peshawar. One must seek explanation from the PSF, if they don't have funds to run day-to-day affairs of the federation and under such tight financial position, then what was the purpose of buying such expensive court, instead they should have utilized that amount on players’ welfare, provided them with PSA events, which could help them in climbing rankings and win laurels for the country.
The year 2014 was wasted by the PSF as Pakistani players could have easily won a number of titles, had the federation used commonsense. The pathetic attitude of the secretary Amir Nawaz was another major reason behind the players’ poor showing. Pakistan managed to get $25,000 PSA event after a gap of eight years and with the successful conduct, Pakistan was allocated four more same amount championships rights for 2015, but one thing which the PSF completely ignored, they don't have funds, and there are hardly any players who can challenge for top honors. How the federation will arrange sponsors, and how they will get around Rs 10 million for just conducting the four events, who is going to prepare the players? The federation is fast running out of the options, as the available coaches are not worthy enough to guide players and help the country in climbing back to same glory days, people sitting at the helm of affairs are least bothered about the ground realities. PSF president Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt doesn't have the time to look into the actual facts, and depends upon the reports submitted by the secretary and the senior vice president, so under these circumstances, future of Pakistan squash in 2015 looks very gloom.
The remaining Asian level titles including Asian Senior Individual slipping out of the hands, only drastic steps and the president’s intervention can save Pakistan squash from further decline.
IPC minister Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada must take notice of the entire situation, as the federation is being run on the tax payers’ money, so they are answerable for their deeds. The PSF is now keeping eyes on Rs 50 million special grant announced by the Prime Minister, but it should only be released when proper plans were tabled, as there is every possibility the funds may be wasted on self projection. It is their duty to spend these funds on players. The time is high when professionals should be hired to run the affairs of the federation in a professional and trend-setting manner, as it will serve both purposes, as the players will be more than happy, and focus on their games and the things will be streamlined, or else federation should be prepared for the consequences.