ISLAMABAD, Jan 22 (APP):Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) is working on a plan to increase physical strength and stamina of players, enabling them to perform to the fullest at the international level, Senior Vice President PSF Air Marshal Shahid Akhtar Alvi said on Tuesday.
He was addressing a news conference here at a local hotel to highlight the performance of Pakistan Junior Squash team that claimed gold medal in the Asian Junior Squash Championship by defeating traditional rivals India 2-0 in the final.
He was flanked by members of the victorious team, Abbas Zeb, Farhan Hashmi, Haris Qasim and Hamza Khan and Secretary PSF Tahir Sultan.
He said that the federation wanted to set up a modern squash academy at Pakistan Sports Complex Islamabad on international standards. “We are in talks with the officials of Pakistan Sports Board to build the academy,” he said adding that the academy would have all the facilities.
“We have plenty of talent in the country and we will make all-out efforts to polish the skills of our budding players,” he added.
Shahid Akhtar lauded Pakistan junior players for showing astounding performance during the Asian Championship saying that they displayed winning spirit throughout the event, which was very encouraging.
“This shows that now we are on the track to regain our lost status in squash,” he said.
He said the federation was also in talks with different departments to get jobs for the outstanding squash players. We need to give them a sense of security so that can perform in international sports events in a better way. We will also arrange jobs for them in Pakistan Air Force, he said.
He said it was after a gap of six years that Pakistan won the Asian Junior Squash Championship adding, “Credit for that also goes to all those who groomed them, including their parents and coaches.”
He said that the federation wanted to see these players to come out of the junior level and perform at the senior level.
