Pakistan’s squash future bright with talented young players: Qamar Zaman

ISLAMABAD, Mar 10 (APP):Former World Squash Champion and Executive Member of Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF), Qamar Zaman, has expressed optimism about Pakistan’s squash future, citing the presence of talented young players who can excel on the international stage.

In an interview with APP, he said that several training camps have been established in different cities to bring forward new talent.

He added that renowned players must further improve their fitness, talent and morale so that they can achieve success and raise Pakistan’s profile in international squash.

Zaman, who is also the Chairman of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Squash Association said that training camps are currently underway in Peshawar and Lahore to nurture emerging talent. He is personally supervising the training camp in Peshawar, where 110 boys and girls from Under-7, Under-8, Under-9, Under-10 and Under-11 categories are receiving coaching during the holy month of Ramadan. He said the players are being trained by chief coaches under modern and high-standard training methods.

He added that a tournament for these young players will also be organized this month to provide them with match practice. Similarly, the Pakistan Squash Federation has also established a training camp in Lahore where junior players are undergoing training.

Zaman noted that Pakistan currently has two promising players — Noor Zaman, who recently won the World Under-23 Championship in Karachi, and Hamza Khan, the winner of a World Junior Squash event — have the potential to achieve success for Pakistan in international mega events.

He emphasized that more international squash events should be held in Pakistan to help players improve their global rankings and gain greater exposure.

He also said that Noor Zaman and Hamza Khan should be provided with more opportunities to participate in international competitions.

Zaman further said that the Pakistan Air Force is providing full support to the Pakistan Squash Federation, which has contributed to players achieving success in two junior events.

He added that the federation’s training camp for ten top-ranked players is continuing in Islamabad, where coaches along with Secretary Pakistan Squash Federation Amir Nawaz, are working hard with the players.

He suggested that two-month training camps should be organized every six months to further improve the players’ skills, physical fitness and morale so they can achieve success in international competitions and help Pakistan regain its lost glory in squash.