ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s campaign at World Junior Squash (Individual) Championship fell short in the semi-finals as defending champion Hamza Khan crashed out to a little known Korean in Texas (USA).
According to the reports reaching here, the ill-planned campaign saw two remaining Pakistan players bowing out of the championship rather tamely. While Hamza had no answer to Korean’s Joo Young Na’s high stamina in the fifth game, Abdullah Nawaz proved just a piece of cake against title favourite Mohammad Zakaria of Egypt losing in straight games without even putting up any resistance.
Hamza, who should have been seen playing senior circuit instead of staying at the junior level, was beaten by the same Korean who was no match to him when the duo last played against each other.
In Pakistan squash, there is no such thing as consistent improvement and development of players. That is exactly what happened in the case of defending champion Hamza who instead of showing maturity, even struggled against the same Korean player whom he defeated in the blink of an eye last time.
Joo won 11-9, 11-9, 7-11, 3-11, 11-5 in a quarter-final that could be considered a big upset. Hamza seeded No.2 behind Zakria whom he defeated last time to win the world junior title could not match the aggressive style of play put on display by the Korean.
In yet another lackluster performance, Abdullah Nawaz could not even try to put up any resistance losing in straight games to Zakria 11-3, 11-2, 11-3 in a quarter-final that was a highly one-sided affair.
Another Pakistan player Mohammad Ammad lost at a very early stage and is now fighting for a 60 and below place finish. Besides Zakaria and Joo, one Indian Shuarya Bawa and Malaysian Harith Daniel Jerri made it to the semi-finals.
In all probability, Zakria would be crowned the new world junior squash champion in a couple of days. The disastrous Pakistan campaign again opened up the debate of coaches’ standards and their inability to help youngsters attain the required standard.
The results of World Junior Squash Individual Championship speak the volume of professionalism the coaches and managers possess in Pakistan squash. While every player around the world go through a system that ensures his rapid improvement but in Pakistan players improvement and development efforts proved counterproductive over the year. Instead of improving and sharpening their skills the naturally talented players even lose that spark which makes them eligible to play at the international circuit. Hamza and Abdullah are the prime examples.
