PESHAWAR, June 8 (APP): The General Council of Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) unanimously elected Qamar Zaman and Tahir Khanzada as Vice Presidents of Pakistan Squash Federation for the next 04 years tenure.
This was stated by former World Champion Qamar Zaman while talking to APP here on Wednesday soon after receiving a notification. He also thanked Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, who also President Pakistan Squash Federation presided over the 43rd Annual General Meeting of PSF at Air Headquarters, Islamabad recently and other affiliated members.
He disclosed that representatives of provincial squash associations,
affiliated members and Pakistan Sports Board were also present during the meeting. Qamar Zaman said that President PSF lauded the efforts being taken by all the affiliated units for the promotion of squash in their respective rivals.
Qamar Zaman said that President PSF also expressed satisfaction during various activities in 2015. He appreciated PSF chief for taking keen interest for the revival of international squash in Pakistan, development of academies and some outstanding performances by the Pakistani players such as gold and silver medals during Asian and
World level competitions.
The successful conduct of Pakistan-Egypt Squash Series at PAF Museum, recent victory of Pakistan team during Asian Team Championship, 2016 and holding of 04 major PSA tournaments of US$ 25,000 prize money each with international players participation, planned during the 2nd half of year 2016, was also lauded by the general council.
The President PSF however desired that there is still a need of
collective efforts by the Provincial squash associations and other members of PSF to expand the game, Qamar disclosed.
He urged the players to focus on the game and further improve their
physical and mental strength. Besides assuring financial and administrative support by Pakistan Air Force, the President PSF asked the member associations to generate further resources to meet the challenging task through an improved system.
The President PSF directed the member associations to promote squash at grassroots level and increase the number of players. He said the PSF chief also desired to introduce the game at schools and colleges and extract talent to further groom at national and international levels.
The performance evaluation of provincial association for the year
2015 was also carried out by the general council, he said. The KP Squash Association was awarded Winner’s Trophy for Pride of Performance whereas Punjab Squash Association stood runners-up.
President PSF presented trophies to the representatives of provincial
associations.​It was also agreed that the PSF would continue to sponsor men and women players in international team events for which their selection would be done through transparent trials and performance. Moreover, in PSA events performance based sponsorship would also be given. The PSF meeting concluded with the hope to revive
Pakistan’s ascendancy in the international arena of squash.
He said PSF chief also awarded cash prizes to squash players for winning Asian Squash Team Championship. He said PSF Chief awarded awarded cash prizes to Pakistan squash team on winning Gold Medal during Asian Squash Team Championship, held at Chinese Taipei in May, 2016.
While quoting the President PSF, Qamar Zaman said that he highly
commended the performance of gold medalist national team in the Asian Squash Team Championship. Pakistan squash contingent comprising Farhan Zaman, Farhan Mehboob, Tayyab Aslam and Israr Ahmad participated in the championship along with Fahim Gul and Group Captain Amir Nawaz as Coach and Manager respectively.
In the initial pool matches, Pakistan team defeated Singapore and Sri
Lanka; whereas, in the Quarterfinals, Pakistan beat Iraq. Subsequently in Semifinals, Pakistan team had a tough competition against India.
However, after about 03 hours match, Pakistan defeated India with a game score of 2-1 and proved their worth to qualify for the finals. On May 15, 2016 Pakistan team played the finals against Hong Kong and won Gold Medal in the prestigious Championship. He said President PSF reiterated the commitment of PSF to support the top squash players. He however, urged the players to work hard to bring more laurels for the country.
