Pakistan justifies its claim for international squash

Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, who is also the President Pakistan Squash Federation said that Pakistan had shown the world that it was a safe country which could host International events.

He was talking to the PSF officials, coach and players during the prize distribution ceremony held at the Air Headquarters Islamabad for the winners of recently concluded 17^th Asian Individual Squash Championship, 2013.

The President PSF gave a handsome award and a personal gift to the winner of the event Aamir Atlas Khan who won this title for Pakistan after 15 years. He also gave cash award to Farhan Mehboob for putting up a good performance by beating the world No 22 and top seed of the championship and reaching the Semi Final. Mr Jamshed Gul was also awarded a cash prize for his role as National Coach.

During the ceremony, President Pakistan Squash Federation highlighted that Pakistan had been denied holding bigger prize money tournaments on the pretext that foreign players could not travel to Pakistan due to the law and order situation.

He further said that Pakistan had successfully held two tournaments in the recent past i.e Asian Masters in September, 2012 and now 17^th Asian Individual Squash Championship in which more than 50 players and officials participated.

Both these tournaments were held in a befitting manner with outstanding security arrangements along with the traditional hospitality of Pakistani nation. The players and officials went back highly satisfied with the arrangements made for the successful conduct of the championship.

The Air Chief stressed that the world bodies should re-assess their stance on denying Pakistan International events and the PSA should lift the restrictions imposed on foreign players on not coming to Pakistan on the pretext of security situation.

He also directed that the good offices of Pakistan squash legends should also be used to convince the world squash bodies on the realities so that the wrong perceptions could be removed.

The Air Chief lauded the recent achievements of PSF for winning the Asian Senior Team event 2012, Asian Junior Team event 2013, Asian Individual Championship 2013 and being the runners up in World Junior 2012.

While advising the players, he emphasized that it was only through hard work and sheer dedication and commitment of the players that Pakistan would regain its place in world rankings.

He advised that physical fitness, correct diet and proper off court grooming were essential elements in making of world champions. He further said that PSF would leave no stone un-turned in providing them all essential training and support.

The recently held physical training camp at Abbottabad had helped our players in winning this tournament. He emphasized the need for the sponsors and private sector to come forward in supporting our players who had justified their commitment by winning various events.

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Posted by Tahir Khan on May 8 2013. Filed under Latest News, National, Pakistan, Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.