Sports Bulletin

China people keen to promote squash in the country: Says Shahid ZamanAbdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD: Top International Squash coach and former Pakistan player, Shahid Zaman Khan visited Shanghai from June 22 to 28, 2023 to coach the budding squash players at Lantau Squash Courts, Hongiao Sports Park Shanghai at the request of the Shanghai Squash Association (SSA).Shahid Zaman told this reporter that Deputy Secretary General SSA Jin Zhen, who is also General Manager of LongYu Sports, had contacted him about this assignment and finally, he visited China and trained the players during the 7-day camp. “I was busy at Harvard Business School Boson and at the request of SSA I joined the camp for seven days, “he added.“China people are keen to promote squash in their country and they are toiling hard to achieve their goal. They are doing tremendous work for squash and providing international standard facilities to their male and female players. I came from Boston, United States of America (USA) and I found the players hungry to learn the skills and techniques of squash, “he further said.Replying to a question he said that it was an honour for me to guide the budding squash players of China. “We have an exemplary friendship with our neighboring country and I enjoyed it here. Chinese love Pakistan and Pakistani people. They are well disciplined and well equipped in squash and are trying their best to gain a position in the world of squash, “he maintained.Zaman further said that officials of the China Squash were working hard to move ahead at the international level. “It was amazing for me that they collect the information of players and clubs. They motivate their players to squash and facilitate them in good manners. They are constructing squash courts according to international demands. They want to promote squash in days, “he asserted.   He further said Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) should hire the services of qualified Pakistani coaches, who could train the teenagers. “I am not asking for any job for myself because I have a job in a reputable organization Harvard Business School Boson in the USA. But, many other Pakistani coaches are working abroad and the federation should utilize their services to regain the lost glory of Pakistan squash. We are at our lowest ebb at this stage, “he lamented.Shahid Zaman said, “There is no respect for coaches in Pakistan, and the squash federation does not want to hire the services of the best coaches. We played squash for Pakistan and we got all honours and respect due to our country. We want to see our squash again on top. This is our dream and being a Pakistan we pray for Pakistan squash each day, “former Pakistan squash player Shahid Zaman Khan concluded.    

Rising lad, Noor Zaman got the "Hassan Musa Award" for his outstanding performanceSports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD:-Asian Squash Federation (ASF) has been awarded the “Asian Squash Federation Development Award" to Pakistan Junior Squash Team for "Most Improved Team" of the year 2022.According to an official of the Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF), the secretary federation Zafaryaab Iqbal received the award on Saturday at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of the Asian Squash Federation, which took place in Hong Kong. President World Squash Federation and the president Asian Squash Federation were also present at the meeting.Also, Noor Zaman of Pakistan has also been awarded "Hassan Musa Award" for his outstanding performance in Junior’s category.

Mohammad Hamza, Moeen Ud Din, Mohammad Huzaifa to visit Australia, Federation sponsors only HamzaAbdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD:-Trio Pakistani squash lads Mohammad Hamza Khan, Moeen Ud Din, and Mohammad Huzaifa will represent their country in the individual discipline of the WSF World Junior Squash Championship 2023, which will feature from July 18 to 29 at in in Melbourne Sports Centres (MSAC), Australia. Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) will sponsor solitary Hamza Khan for the trip. Egyptian girl Amina Orfi and Netherlander guy Rowan Damming will defend their titles. Damming, 18, made history last year in France as the 5/8 seed upset English 3/4 seed Finnlay Withington to become Netherlands' first ever world junior champion and has since impressed on the PSA World Tour, qualifying for this year's PSA World Championship in Chicago.Orfi, 15, showed incredible tenacity as she fought back from two games down in both the semifinal and final to lift the title and has since enjoyed a breakout year on the professional circuit, reaching the final of the Squash On Fire Open and the last 16 of the PSA World Championship.World Squash Federation (WSF) released the list of participating players in all three categories including Men’s Individual, Women’s Individuals, and Women’s Team Event.Players List (Individual Men’s Event):Australia (6): Harvey Allan, Dylan Classen, Oscar Curtis, Connor Hayes, Kenneth Lamb, Thomas ScottCanada (6): Daniel Deverill, Michael Knapp, Jacob Lin, Wasey Maqsood, Youssef Sarhan, Faazil KhanChinese Taipei (4): YoYo Chan, Hsin-Lun Tsai, Hong-Rui Pan, Yi-An PanColombia (3): Juan Irisarri, Juan Jose Torres Lara, Jose SantamariaEcuador (1): Javier Emilio Romo LopezEgypt (6): Yehia Abouraya, Kareem El Torkey, Salman Khalil, Yassien Shohdy, Omar Said Sobhy, Mohamed ZakariaEngland (4): Caleb Boy, Alexander Broadbridge, Jonah Bryant, Yusuf SheikhFrance (3): Titouan Isambard, Antonin Romieu, Melvil ScianimanicoGermany (2): Youssef Elgammal, Fabian IngelbrinkHong Kong, China (4): Arthur Pak Ki Law, Chun Yu Kelvin Lo, Tsz Shing Tam, Jat Tse        India (6): Aryan Pratap Singh, Shaurya Bawa, Sharan Punjabi, Paarth Ambani, Krishna Mishra, Yuvraj WadhwanIreland (4): Elliot Kelly, Jack O Flynn, Tristan Snodgrass, Dylan MoranJapan (4): Yujin Ikeda, Kanta Ito, Ren Makino, Kousei Toki           Kuwait (6): Khaled Walead Al Fouzain, Fahad Khaled Al Ghais, Jassim Adel Al Ghareeb, Abdul Rahman Al Hashem, Abdul Rahman Mohamad Al Maghrabi, Abdulla AliLithuania (1): Lukas KazemekaitisMacau, China (4): Ian Miguel De Sousa, Chin Ka Nam, Keng In Leong, Ka Hei LiMalaysia (5): Joachim Chuah, Hashvind Kugan, Nickhileswar Moganasundhara Wei Yan Tho, Lo Wa SernNetherlands (3): Rowan Damming, Samuel Gerrits, Hjalmer Mols, Elske GarbersNew Zealand (6): Shane Buckle, Oliver Dunbar, Apa Fatialofa, Christopher Hebberd, Freddie Jameson, Connor HillPakistan (3): Moeen Ud Din, Hamza Khan, Mohammad HuzaifaPapua New Guinea (1): Josh Porter        Qatar (1): Salem Al-MalkiSaudi Arabia (2): Yasser Al Abbas, Mohammed AlnasfanScotland (3): Finlay Halton, Oliver Hunter, Rory Richmond         South Africa (6): Joshua Deutschmann, Luhann Groenewald, Luke James Jacoby, Diodivine Mkhzie, Devon Osborne, Connor Earl        Sri Lanka: Nevindu LakmanSwitzerland: David Bernet, Nero Harms, Leandro Mannhart, Fabian Seitz, Lasse Widmer               United States: Arhan Chandra, Varun Chitturi, Zane Patel, Hollis Robertson, Thomas Soltanian, Rishi Srivastava  Zimbabwe: Ryan Gwidzma, Brayden Stanley Arthur RaynarsPlayers List (Individual Women’s Event):Australia (6): Erin Classen, Shona Coxsedge, Amelie Guziak, Madison Lyon, Courtney Scholtz, Hannah SlythCanada (6): Hermione Cao, Ocean Ma, Spring Ma, Maria Min, Iman Shaheen, Gabriella WaiteChinese Taipei (4): Mei Mei Chan, Yu-Chen Cheng, Jen-Ju Shaw, Yen-Chi ChenEgypt (6): Fayrouz Aboelkheir, Nadien Elhammamy, Zeina Zein, Malak Khafagy, Nour Megahed, Amina OrfiEngland (5): Asia Harris, Amelie Haworth, Isabel McCullough, Meha Shah, Layla JohnsonFrance (1) Lauren BaltayanGermany (2): Lea-Iris Murrizi, Maya WeisharHong Kong, China (4): Ena Kwong, Ka Huen Leung, Sze Wing Wai, Tse Yee Lam TobyIndia (6): Tiana Parasrampuria, Advita Sharma, Shameena Riaz, Yuvna Gupta, Pooja Arthi Raghu, Anahat SinghIreland (4): Lydia McQuillan, Maria Protsepova, Sarah Sabry, Sophie ThomasJapan (1): Akari MidorikawaKorea (1): Ain JunMacau, China (1): Wai Leng YeungMalaysia (6): Aira Azman, Anrie Goh Chu Yu, Sehveetrraa Kumar, Doyce Ye San Lee, Thanusaa Uthrian, Whitney WilsonMalta (1): LijanaNew Zealand (6): Maiden-Lee Coe, Anne Leakey, Ella Hill, Sophie Hodges, Ella Lash, Anabel Romero GemmellScotland (5): Anna Halliday, Louisa Kaven, Natalie Main,               Robyn McAlpine, Rowan NivenSingapore (4): Wei Yan Tho, Gracia Chua Rui En, Paige Teresa Hill, Zhe Sim OngSouth Africa (4): Elske Garbers, Savannah Margot Ingledew, Jordin Phillips, Dené Van ZylSpain (1): Ona BlascoUnited States (6): Caroline Eielson, Caroline Fouts, Madison Ho, Riya Navani, Sonya Sasson, Emma Trauber Players’ lists (Team Championship):Australia: Erin Classen, Amelie Guziak, Madison Lyon, Hannah SlythCanada: Ocean Ma, Spring Ma, Iman Shaheen, Maria MinChinese Taipei: Mei Mei Chan, Yu-Chen Cheng, Jen-Ju Shaw, Yen-Chi ChenEgypt: Amina Orfi, Fayrouz Abouelkheir, Zeina Zein, Nour MegahedEngland: Asia Harris, Amelie Haworth, Isabel McCullough, Meha ShahHong Kong: Ena Kwong, Ka Huen Leung, Sze Wing Wai, Tse Yee Lam TobyIndia: Yuvna Gupta, Pooja Arthi Raghu, Anahat Singh, Tiana ParasrampuriaIreland: Lydia McQuillan, Maria Protsepova, Sarah Sabry, Sophie ThomasMalaysia: Aira Azman, Sehveetrraa Kumar, Thanusaa Uthrian, Whitney WilsonNew Zealand: Sophie Hodges, Ella Lash, Anne Leakey, Anabel Romero GemmellScotland: Anna Halliday, Louisa Kaven, Robyn McAlpine, Rowan NivenSingapore: Wai Lynn Au Yeong, Gracia Chua Rui En, Paige Teresa Hill, Zhe Sim OngSouth Africa: Elske Garbers, Savannah Margot Ingledew, Jordin Phillips, Dené Van ZylUnited States: Caroline Fouts, Madison Ho, Emma Trauber, Riya Navani. 

Pakistan to take part in only Men’s Individual Event, starting from July 18Abdul Jabbar FaisalISLAMABAD:-Pakistan will take part in the Men’s Individual Event of the forthcoming World Junior Squash Championship 2023, which will be held from July 18 to 29 at Melbourne Sports Centres (MSAC), Australia under the banner of World Squash Federation (WSF).WSF has confirmed the participating countries. As many as 29 nations will compete for the top honour in the Men’s Individuals Squash Championship while 21 will fight for the top position in the Women’s Individuals fixture. 14 countries will be encountering each other for the title of Women’s Team Championship.Men’s Individual Championship (29 Countries):Australia, Canada, Chinese Taipei, Colombia, Ecuador, England, Egypt, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Ireland, Japan, Kuwait, Lithuania, Macau, Malaysia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Scotland, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Switzerland, United States of America (USA), ZimbabweWomen’s Individual Championship (21 countries:Australia, Canada, Chinese Taipei, Egypt, England, France, Germany, Hong Kong, India, China, Japan, Korea, Macau, Malaysia, Malta, New Zealand, Scotland, Singapore, South Africa, Spain, USAWomen’s Team Championship (14 countries):Australia, Canada, Chinese Taipei, Egypt, England, India,              Ireland, Malaysia, New Zealand, Scotland, Singapore, USA, Hong Kong, South Africa.

Sports Bulletin ReportISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s junior squash team has won the award of ‘The Most Improved Team of the Year 2022’ by the Asian Squash Federation (ASF).The ASF announced the winners of the ASF Performance Awards 2022 on Wednesday. Pakistan’s Junior Squash Team won the ASF Development Award while the country’s top junior player Noor Zaman Khan named for Hassan Musa Asian Award for ‘Outstanding Performance of the Year 2022 in the juniors’ category.The ASF received 18 nominations from seven member countries for seven categories of the ASF Performance Awards and 11 nominations from four countries for four categories of the ASF Coaches Awards this year. The awards will be presented at the forthcoming Asian Individual Championships, which will be taken place from June 6-10 in Hong Kong, China. 

Sports Desk ISLAMABAD: United States (US) Squash has announced the first series of women-only coaching courses to be held in May and June at the Arlen Specter US Squash Center in Philadelphia. Led by Linda Elriani, US Squash’s Senior Director of Professional Development and Coaching, the courses were designed for women only in an effort to bring more women into teaching professional roles. Increasing the number of positive female coaching role models is an important piece of expanding the number of women and girls in the sport as US Squash drives towards gender parity in participation. The initial courses will be a Start Squash Coaching Certification Course, May 7, and a Level 1 Coaching Certification Course, June 23-25. To register and for more information visit ussquash.org/coach-certification. US Squash is grateful for support from the PSA Foundation for providing grant funding to support the attendance of aspiring women coaches and teaching professionals.

Sports Bulletin Report Auckland (New Zealand): Squash New Zealand has announced that Jonathan Kemp has been appointed National Performance Coach. Kemp, a former professional squash player and highly respected coach, brings a wealth of experience to the role and is set to play a crucial role in developing the next generation of elite squash players in New Zealand. Originally from the UK, Kemp enjoyed a successful career as a professional squash player, reaching a career-high ranking of World No. 20. Since retiring from competitive play in 2014 Kemp has established himself as one of the leading coaches in the sport, having worked with a number of top players on the PSA World Tour. In his new role as National Performance Coach, Kemp will be responsible for leading the development of New Zealand’s top squash players and working closely with Squash New Zealand High-Performance manager Shelley Kitchen to create a pathway for players to progress from grassroots to elite level.

Sports Bulletin Report Birmingham (UK): Elias, 26, is known as ‘the Peruvian Puma’ for his incredible reflexes and retrievals and has reached the top of the squash world rankings having this season won major titles at the US Open and the Tournament of Champions as well as winning Silver-level events in Detroit and Pittsburgh and reaching the finals of the Singapore Open, Hong Kong Open and British Open. With previous World No.1 Mostafa Asal serving a PSA suspension, Elias’ rise to the top was confirmed when rival for World No.1 Mohamed ElShorbagy unexpectedly crashed out in the last 16 of the British Open to Karim Abdel Gawad. Peru’s guy Diego Elias said: “It’s a dream come true. I’ve been trying not to think too much about it and just play tournaments and focus on winning them. When I saw the result [between ElShorbagy and Gawad] I couldn’t believe it and I still can’t believe it. [At the start of the season] it was a goal, but I knew it was going to be hard. I put a lot of work at the start of the season and the results came!” Elias’ coach Jonathon Power of Canada, himself a former World No.1, added: “One of the happiest days of my life! I’m so proud of him! Happiest for his parents and the whole team that helped him over this incredible journey.” In the women’s rankings, Egypt’s Nouran Gohar remains top, despite a loss in the British Open final to reigning World Champion and compatriot Nour El Sherbini.

Sports Bulletin Report DHAKA: The Bangladesh Squash Rackets Federation (BSRF) has announced the expansion of the Squash and Education Scholarship. The Squash and Education Scholarship, which was introduced last year alongside the BSRF’s flagship Classroom Squash programme, provides funding to underprivileged girls for sporting goods, food and education assistance. According to data from the International Labour Organization, girls in Bangladesh are more likely to be involved in both household and income-generating activities while in school than boys, leading to greater absenteeism and poorer educational outcomes, both of which are recognised triggers for dropping out of school. Rue, a new recipient of the Squash and Education Scholarship commented: “Now, I will be able to give more time to squash and improve my game. One day I will bring a medal for Bangladesh!” BSRF General Secretary Brigadier General Quamrul Islam added: “With the “Squash and Education Scholarship” for underprivileged girls, one day Bangladesh Squash will produce world class female squash players.”

Sports Bulletin Report ISLAMABAD: As many as nine teams from five continents will contest the re-launched Squash World Cup from June 13 to 17, 2023 at Chennai, India. From Asia, hosts India will be joined by Japan, Malaysia and Hong Kong, China, with Africa represented by Egypt and South Africa, Europe by England, Oceania by Australia and South America by Colombia. Besides hosts India, Australia, Colombia, Egypt, England, Hong Kong, China, Japan, Malaysia, South Africa will fight for top honour. The Chennai Squash World Cup is an international tournament in which national team squads represented by two men and two women play ties of four matches against each other. The relaunched event will be played in Chennai between 13-17 June 2023, with quarters, semis and final action to be played on a stunning all glass show court inside the Express Avenue Mall. The 2023 World Cup will be the fourth edition of the tournament, the rules of which have been revamped since the last edition, played in 2011 in Chennai, when an Egypt team comprised of Ramy Ashour, Raneem El Welily and Karim Darwish beat England’s James Willstrop, Jenny Duncalf and Tom Richards in the final