ISLAMABAD The Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) on Saturday said they had fresh talent which could help Pakistan shine at the international arena again. The senior vice-president of the PSF, Air Marshal Asim Suleman, told Dawn on Saturday they had high hopes from Aamir Atlas Khan and Fahan Mahboob but the federation was simultaneously happy with the performance of the young lot, being trained in Peshawar and Lahore.
Both Aamir and Farhan failed to show improvement despite massive funding from the PSF.
“We have much better lot of emerging players who will be given international exposure at the right time,” said AM Suleman.
Pakistan's new lot comprises players like Nasir Iqbal, Faraz Khan, Ali Bukhari, Tayyab Ali, Ahmed Amin, Danish Atlas, Waqas Gul, Umar Balaj, Waqas Mahboob and Waqar Mahboob.
He added that the younger tier with the focused approach towards the game would likely to rise within one year.
AM Suleman, who has been associated with country's squash for last three decades, said “We have been supporting Aamir and Farhan for quite some time and continue to do so only if they provide results.”
After the stints of squash legends Jahangir and Jansher Khan, Pakistan's quest for wining international events by the next generation remained fruitless.
Asked about the results of world junior squash championship, AM Suleman said “It was hard luck.”
Pakistan lost this year's Men's World Junior Team squash championship 1-2 against top seeds Egypt in Ecuador's capital Quito.
The senior PAF official added “The PSF sponsored the event which cost us a few millions, bearing the boarding and lodging of the players, only to break the jinx and bring back the lost glory, but it didn't work.”