Pak squash players need modern coaching: Shorbagy

ISLAMABAD: World No 5 Marwan El Shorbagy (Egypt) who has recently played the final of World Open Squash exposed raw and nonprofessional approach in Pakistan squash that continues to toe the expired line whereas the game has drastically changed in recent times.

In an exclusive interview with The News following his yet another straight games win in the second round Wednesday, the Egyptian powerhouse said that gone were the days when mere old, tried and tested approach could have earned you laurels internationally.

“I am surprised to see Pakistan players playing with the same technique, approach and mental state of mind that was there 15 years back. That is the main reason of Pakistan’s lacklustre performance aboard in recent times. The game has changed by leaps and bounds in recent times. It has become fast and totally professional. Pakistan is not keeping up the pace with that tempo, leaving their players play ordinary squash.”

The younger brother of world champion Mohamed El Shorbagy who is in Pakistan for the very first time, said he was surprised to see the organisers allowing Pakistan players play dull and docile squash.

“Gone are the days when such an approach was enough to win you titles and events. Only those players who have the ability to play fast pace game can survive in the circuit these days. Pakistan must realise this important aspect.”Marwan El Shorbagy was also critical of the primitive coaching techniques, saying that what he had seen was not the modern way of coaching.

“You need coaches who have latest know how about the game. Old techniques with which Pakistanis are being trained would make no difference. You need to adopt modern way of coaching which can help you train your players in a better way.”

The Egyptian leading player said that modern coaching stressed the need to adopt latest techniques. “The player should be capable of playing fast game and at the same time he should have the physical fitness required to counter that brisk movement in the court. Pakistan players are lacking in that capacity.”

A big admirer of Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan, the Egyptian said had the two Khans were in business today, they would have adopted the modern way of squash. “Look both were true athletes and physically fit and ready. They could easily have adopted to fast pace game which is the order of the day.”

Marwan El Shorbagy said he was eager to visit Pakistan and play here. “Pakistan has a rich tradition of squash. I always wanted to come here and play. This time when I learnt that Pakistan are to host $ 50000 event I readily decided to be part of this Open. My brother had already played in Pakistan and he also wants to tour the country again. Hopefully next year when Pakistan hosts Open with a bigger prize money the recently crowned world champion would come.”

Unlike Pakistan where squash still is confined to selected people, in Egypt it has already become a masses game. “That is the reason why we are dominating the world of squash these days. Numerous Egyptian players can be seen competing and winning every event they enter in.”

The Egyptian top player however was worried about the future of game in his country. “Majority of talented squash players in Egypt are taking the game just to get scholarship in USA. Once they go there, they leave the game and start following their studies and jobs. That is a worrying point for us.”