ISLAMABAD - Newly-crowned CAS International Squash champion Farhan Mehboob thanked PSF president and sports journalists for overwhelming support and termed they are responsible for urging him to come back and play top level squash once again.
Farhan while talking to The Nation on Saturday said after getting disheartened from federation’s step-motherly treatment he had stopped playing squash and was seriously thinking on the lines of leaving Pakistan and stay abroad. “But the way, sports journalists especially Islamabad based sports journalists not only backed me but also persuaded Pakistan Squash Federation to rethink their strategy. I am also highly thankful to Pakistan Squash Federation president Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman for taking keen interest in my genuine concerns and fulfilling promises.”
He said it was because of the PSF president’s personal interest and all out backing, which persuaded him to restart squash. “By the grace of Allah almighty in a very short span of time, I had climbed back to top 100 and let me assure all with this title in the very next PSA rankings I will be in top 60. If the federation provided me with opportunities to play in 8 to 10 top PSA events abroad, I am damn sure I would be in top 40 by the year end and by the mid 2017; I would be among top 20 or beyond. It is very irritating that despite helping Pakistan to win five consecutive Asian Senior Team titles, my services were never recognized. I am the only player, who had won so many international laurels for country and was involved in helping team lift numerous titles. Players, who had not even won a single major title, were showered with countless blessings both in the shape of cash and countries highest awards, but my name was never considered. Even the KP government never bothered to invite me and praise my achievements.”
He said he did not have services of any sponsors at all and only the federation is lending some helping hand. Farhan said he needed some PSA events on regular basis to climb back to top and requested the sponsors to come forward to help him achieving his goal.
He said he was planning to register his name for the US events by the year end as soon as the squash calendar is released as now was the make or break period in his career as already his golden years had been wasted and he could not afford any further let ups. He requested PSF president, senior vice president and secretary to finance him to ensure his smooth passage to the top and also send his name for national honours considering his unmatchable services for the country.
He said he was achieving his old rhythm and fitness level gradually. Farhan said he was focusing on achieving his goal of improving match fitness that was evident from the fact that he entered in CNS and CAS squash events as a qualifier and went to win the CAS title besides reaching in CNS Squash Championship..
He hoped that federation will look into his case like they had for number of players in the past and his name would be recommended for top award.