There was once a time when Pakistan were the undisputed champions of the squash world. Their fortunes have dipped over the years but it seems that a mini revival is finally taking place.

According to top officials, Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) is trying hard to salvage some pride and its activities in 2016 does support that claim.

"Our priority is to keep country’s flag fluttering high in the world. Despite having financial constraints, the federation always gives preference to its major projects for the game’s development. We are mainly focused at revival of international squash in Pakistan through high prized PSA tournaments with participation of foreign players," says AVM (retd) Razi Nawab, Senior Vice President of the PSF.

Commenting on the federation’s performance during the year 2016, Nawab said that the event year of the squash calendar is mostly occupied by different team championships.

"The training strategy of PSF was totally focused keeping in view this aspect. An extensive training programme was devised for junior and senior players at Pakistan National Squash Academy (PNSA). These players were kept at PNSA throughout the year and the progress was monitored by putting them in various national and international events."

In the 12th South Asian Games, held earlier this year in February, Pakistan’s Nasir Iqbal won gold medal whereas Farhan Zaman won silver medal in the men’s event.

Pakistan’s Maria Toor Pakay won silver medal and Sadia Gul won bronze medal in women’s event. Both Pakistan men’s and women’s teams grabbed silver medal in the team event of championship.

In 18th Asian Squash Team Championship held in Chinese Taipei in May, Pakistani players created major upsets against higher world ranked players in various teams. Pakistan team won gold medal of this prestigious team championship after beating Hong Kong in the final.

"In WSF Men’s World Junior (Individual and Team) Championship held in Poland in August, Pakistan junior squash team was able to won the coveted gold medal after beating strong Egypt side in the final of championship after a lapse of eight years. Moreover, Israr Ahmed also won bronze medal in the individual event," Nawab said.

"In an effort to revive international squash, PSF conducted a series of international tournaments in last two years besides exploring various opportunities for the promotion of game at local level and promoting Pakistan’s soft image at international level. In order to create interest and glamour amongst the general public, PSF organised Pakistan vs Egypt Squash series in which the current top world ranked players from Egypt were also invited," he said.

"Recently, we purchased ASB 4-Glass Wall Portable squash court was installed at PAF Museum in Karachi. This initiative was highly appreciated by general public, squash enthusiasts, media and corporate sector."

The series concluded with Egypt registering a 3-2 victory. Egypt is presently holding the same place in squash as Pakistan did during the golden era of Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan. Currently, Egypt has six players in World elite top 10.

"Despite their low ranking, Pakistani players competed very well and marginally lost after substantial resistance which ultimately helped in boosting up their confidence and motivational level. This initiative has proved a milestone towards PSF strategy for the revival of squash," Nawab said.

"As a result of our determined efforts, Professional Squash Association, the international squash body, accorded approval in March, 2014 for an International tournament of US$25,000 along with lifting of ban on foreign players to play in Pakistan. This was a great breakthrough for the PSF for seeking further tournaments as well. In continuation of the previous PSA Championships, four International events of US$ 25,000 prize money were allotted to PSF in year 2016, which were held in Islamabad.

"These events were held back to back within four-month period during September and December, 2016. First tournament was titled as Chief of Army Staff International Squash Championship. Top international players from six countries participated in this championship. The Pakistani players showed a satisfactory performance and one Pakistani player Tayyab Aslam lost to the top seeded Egyptian player in the semifinal of the event."

The second PSA championship was titled as Chief of Naval Staff International Squash Championship, where 13 foreign players, hailing from nine different countries participated. Pakistani player seasoned Farhan Mehboob showed a brilliant run in the championship before losing to the top seed Egyptian player in the semi-final.

The third PSA championship was titled as Serena Hotels -- Chief of Air Staff International Squash Championship in which 11 top players from six different countries participated.

Pakistani players put a remarkable performance in the championship and an all-Pakistan affair was witnessed in the final in which Farhan Mehboob beat Farhan Zaman to clinch the title.

"Pakistani players took the maximum advantage of back-to-back international events in the country and game standard of Pakistani players improved, which has been clearly depicted in the results of these championships. An ascending trend in the performance of national players displays that we are gradually moving towards salvaging our lost legacy."

"The last one of these allocated championships - the President Gold Cup -- is being held from December 29 to January 6. Keeping in view the previous performance of its players, PSF is very hopeful that national players will continue with the same form which has been witnessed in the recently culminated championships" said Nawab.

"During the year 2016, PSF very successfully organised three national tournaments, with each offering US$ 15,000. Top national players participated in these tournaments.

"PSF has sponsored top professional players for participation in overseas tournaments. During the year 2016, a group of 46 Pakistani players participated in 40 international tournaments around the world. This helped them a lot to improve their world ranking.

"Meanwhile, women players were also given due consideration. A tournament carrying a prize purse of USD1500 was organised in Pakistan. Moreover 15 women players also participated in nine overseas tournaments throughout the year."

"We have also been organizing many a number of national tournaments throughout the year for senior and junior players carrying different prize purse. These tournaments have helped us polish our established players while providing platform for new players," Nawab said.

"Meanwhile, as part of PSF plan to educate the coaches and training staff on the latest technique and methodology of the game, ASF Level-I Coaching Course was organized at Mushaf Squash Complex in Islamabad in May. Fahim Gul and Khalid Atlas Khan successfully conducted the course in which 15 young players and coaches from all over the country participated.

"In order to expand the game of squash at grass root level through schools, colleges and universities, PSF has signed a MoU with Squash Australia and Sports Matter Australia. Under this arrangement around 600 youngsters would be given squash training along with creating awareness on matters like health, gender equality and education. Subsequently this initiative would include university, squash players and physical trainers’ exchange program. The project would be commencing from January 15, 2017.

"We are now also planning to lift our ranking by providing our players with proper training along with sponsorship in the PSA events abroad. PSF aims to break into top world rankings by taking its top two players -- Farhan Zaman and Farhan Mehboob into elite Top-20 while the next two into top-50 rankings by the mid of next year. PSF is also presenting its case at the highest level to recover its top player Nasir Iqbal who is presently under provisional suspension under the WADA code of conduct.

"Similarly, the upcoming players like Asim Khan, Israr Ahmed and Ahsan Ayaz are expected to break into Top-75 by the same time. In this way a handsome amount of Pakistani players would gradually be the part of the elite group of the PSA world ranking chart.

"Meanwhile, PSF has also taken on board former squash legends Qamar Zaman, Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan for the revival of the game. Their support is also commendable. We are hopeful that efforts being put in by PSF and squash legends would bear fruitful results for the game in near.”