ISLAMABAD: Squash players can now benefit from the facilities available at the Karachi Squash Complex as the dispute between the Pakistan Squash Federation and Pakistan Sports Board has finally been resolved.
The two-year dispute was resolved after desperate efforts made by the the Pakistan Air Force.
According to details, the Karachi Squash Complex was developed at the Karachi Sports Centre of the Pakistan Sports Board close to The Aga Khan Hospital.
However, the facility was closed for the local players mainly because of the row between the PSB and PSF over the administration of the complex.
Speaking about the new development, AVM Razi Nawab told Dawn: “Karachi Squash Complex now stands open for the players. They may come and play at the facility which is open for talented and young squash players of Karachi and adjoining cities.”
Regarding the future of Pakistani players, the senior-vice-president of the PSF, AVM Nawab added: “We will be sending our squash players to foreign countries on long-term basis in ordr to give them a chance to feature in PSA events. It will also provide them with a strong training ground which will ensure higher ranking on the PSA global table.”
He added that the federation will send top-ranking Pakistan squash players to the US-based league this season.
AVM Nawab admitted that lack of international matches owing to the fragile security situation has forced the PSF to sign a landmark MoU with a Dubai-based sporting group.
“We will be playing international and PSA events in Dubai on a neutral venue and Pakistani players have more chances to gain experience from these events,” added the senior vice-president of the federation.
He said that to generate the much-needed funds for the PSF, squash legends Jansher Khan and Jahangir Khan are on-board with the federation and are giving valuable input.
“It’s not just fund-raising in which they are assisting the PSF, but also giving key technical advice for the emerging squash players,” said the federation official.
Regarding the training camps of junior and senior squash players, he said: “Jamshed Gul is training senior and junior players with modern coaching technology at the Mushaf Squash Complex which is a centre of excellence.”
