It seems that the world of Pakistan squash braved another dismal year as 2013 hardly brought good news for the country. But ask AVM Syed Razi Nawab, senior president of the Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) and he will negate this impression. Instead, Nawab, who is also the vice-president of the Asian Squash Federation (ASF), told ‘The News on Sunday’ in an interview that Pakistan squash did manage to reclaim some lost ground in 2013. Here are some excerpts of the interview.

TNS: How do you see 2013 for Pakistan squash?

Razi Nawab: Pakistan ruled the world of squash for more than four decades thanks to the unwavering and supreme dedication of great Khans. Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) managed some modest gains in 2013 to reclaim Pakistan’s lost glory. It was the year of many significant achievements and satisfactory performances. Our players have not only managed to win many individual and team events but they have also improved their PSA rankings by beating much high-ranked players in different events.

TNS: Do you think Pakistan squash would be able to regain its lost glory?

RN: Yes, of course. We have taken up the task of revival of Pakistan squash by concentrating on multidimensional aspects which have been deliberated and concluded as the main reasons of downfall of Pakistan squash.

TNS: What are the steps being taken by PSF to reclaim its lost glory?

RN: PSF has embarked on diverse short and long term projects to take the game at grass root level and nurture the talent for further grooming at national and international level. It ultimately resulted into better players and team performances throughout 2013.

TNS: You have indicated many good signs; would you elaborate these for us?

RN: Taking a quick glimpse of the activities and performances made by the Pakistani players in 2013, we could narrate many substantial triumphs. Lifting of Asian Junior Championship title and attaining of ASF Vice President’s slot was a good beginning. Pakistan featured in five international team and individual events during the year including Asian Senior Championship at Islamabad. Subsequently our players have represented in many PSA Tournaments and succeeded in improving their world ranking.

TNS: Asian Senior championship was a success: do you think you will able to gain such tournaments in future as well?

RN: Conducting of Asian Senior Championship by PSF itself was the major breakthrough towards convincing the world bodies for bringing international squash and players back to Pakistan. This championship proved to be a very good message regarding security concerns relating to our country. Besides Pakistan, players from Hong Kong, Malaysia, China, Sri Lanka, Kuwait, Jordan, Iran and Iraq participated and they enjoyed their stay here.

TNS: Do you see improvement in our players’ PSA ranking?

RN: Despite experiencing a decline, Pakistan has the second highest representation in international squash, which is quite encouraging. It shows that the desire and eagerness in our players still exists and PSF’s efforts to promote squash in Pakistan at grassroots levels bear testimony to the growing strength of Pakistani players in PSA. Pakistan has total 47 players registered with PSA out of which 17 are among top 200 and 5 are in top 100. Subsequently, two more are about to join the row of top 100.

TNS: What are the main hurdles to your efforts?

RN: A serious dearth of international tournaments in the country is the prime reason why Pakistan continues to suffer a decline in its squash fortunes. There are total 445 players are registered with PSA, out of which 47 belongs to Pakistan, which is second to England with representation of 77 players. If we commute this figure in percentage we have 11 percent out of 100. Despite the fact that Pakistan has second highest representation in international squash, it is only getting 2.2 percent of total PSA tournament which sums into four minor tournaments annually.

TNS: What have been done to gain high prize money tournaments in Pakistan?

RN: PSA needs to give Pakistan its due share in the division of its tournaments so that our players can get the required exposure and exhibit their talent. After raising this issue at many PSA forums, Pakistan has succeeded in gaining US$ 15,000 prize money tournaments.

TNS: What advantages have been accrued from initiatives like USA Players’ placement programme?

RN: Noticeable results have been shown by our players under this arrangement such as Farhan Zaman, who played seven PSA circuit tournaments. He won Chicago Open and stood runner-up in the Florida Open, his ranking surged up to 64 last month. Moreover, Danish, Humza and Yasir Butt have also shown improvement in their respective ranking under the same arrangement.

TNS: What is the performance of Pakistani players in international individual and team events?

RN: Pakistan featured in five international team and individual events during t2013, amid the significance of gold medal in Asian Senior Championship by Aamir Atlas at Islamabad and Asian Junior Team Championship, Korea, the title of Asian Junior Individual Championship, Jordan by Ali Mujtaba Bukhari was another victory of our players.

TNS: Is PSF doing much for enhancement in junior players’ talent?

RN: Of course junior players are our backup squad to compete at international level and regaining our lost glory. Title of Asian Junior Individual and Team events are evidence of PSF’s efforts. Regular training camps and talent hunt programmes have been scheduled to enhance the talent pool and further grooming of junior players’ game.

TNS: Women’s squash is not much familiar in Pakistan: What are you doing to promote it?

RN: PSF is very keen in developing and promoting women squash in the country at par with the world level.

TNS: Are you doing anything for the development of coaches as well?

RN: PSF is striving for the betterment of its coaches as well. In this regard PSF has organised an ASF Level II coaching course during the same year at Mushaf Squash Complex in Islamabad. 42 Level I passed coaches from various parts of the country attended the course under the supervision of ASF instructor Chris Clark from Hong Kong and expertise of Fahim Gul, Ex Deputy Director Coaching ASF.

TNS: Are you looking forward to 2014?

RN: We believe that 2014 will be a more vibrant and progressive year. PSF will be concentrating on its future plans for the development and promotion of squash. Introducing the game at schools, colleges and universities’ level, is another aim of PSF to extend the game at grass root level through regular leagues and promoting it among the unmatched talent of Pakistan.

TNS: Are you satisfied with the government support for Pakistan squash?

RN: PSF has requested for a monetary grant of Rs70 million from the government which is yet to be received. However, President Mamnoon Hussain has very kindly granted an interim relief grant of Rs5 million.

TNS: What is your message for the world squash bodies and international players?

RN: I must say that Pakistan is a safe country as far as game of squash is concern as security situation has improved tremendously in recent years. It was evident from the successful hosting of Asian Senior Championship and two US$15,000 challenger events in the country. PSA must revise its policy regarding restriction on international players’ participation and may grant US$25,000 PSA tournaments to Pakistan.