Sports Bulletin

SPORTS REPORT ISLAMABAD (December 4, 2020):-Pakistan International Squash Tournament for Men and Women will be kicked off from December 7, 2020 at Mushaf Squash Complex Islamabad in the premises of Pakistan Sports Complex. According to Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF), the Men Event carries the prize money of US$ 12,000 whereas Women Event US$ 6,000.  Men event draw consist of 32 players and will start on December 7 while Women draw has 16 players and will commence on December 8, 2020. Top four players in Men Event include Tayyab Aslam, Asim Khan, Farhan Mehboob and Amaad whereas Amna Fayyaz, Faiza Zafar, Madina Zafar and Moqaddas Ashraf are top four in Women event.

SPORTS REPORT LAHORE (November 14, 2020):-The PSF-Punjab Satellite Squash Tournament 2020 started on Saturday, as top local guys have won their matches and moved into next round at Punjab Squash Complex. Farhan Hashmi had to work hard in the court to overcome Mohammad Farhan 3-1. Results (Round-1): Ammad Fareed (PAK) beat Faizan Khan (PAK) score 13/11, 11/6, 11/2 (25 mins). Noor Zaman (PAK) beat Mohammmad Abdul Qadir (PAK) score 11/9, 11/7, 11/3 (21 mins). Nasir Iqbal (PAK) beat Muhammad Uzair (PAK) score 11/2, 11/2, 11/2 (12 mins). Zahir Shah (PAK) beat Salman Saleem (PAK) score 11/6, 11/5, 6/11, 14/12 (28 mins). Mohammad Hassaan Raza (PAK) beat Naveed Rahmen (PAK) score 10/12, 11/7, 11/3, 11/4 (30 mins). Saeed Abdul (PAK) beat Mian Abdul Mughni (PAK) score 11/5, 11/2, 11/2 (13 mins). Mohammad Farhan Hashmi (PAK) beat Mohammad Farhan (PAK) score 12/10, 5/11, 11/5, 15/13 (36 mins). Israr Ahmad (PAK) beat Zeeshan Zeb (PAK) score 11/4, 11/3, 11/4 (18 mins). Sunday’s Fixtures: Ammad Fareed (PAK) vs Noor Zaman (PAK) 1:00 pm Nasir Iqbal (PAK) vs Zahir Shah (PAK) 1:45am Mohammad Hassaan Raza (PAK) vs Saeed Abdul (PAK) 2:30 pm M0hammad Farhan Hashmi (PAK) Israr Ahmad (PAK) 3:15 pm

SB NEWS Quetta (October 22, 2020):-Eight players jumped into the quarterfinals of the Satellite Squash Tournament after beating their respective opponents at Shah Nawaz Murree Squash Complex, Quetta on Wednesday. Balochistan Squash Association (BSA) in collaboration with Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) is organizing this prestigious Satellite Squash Tournament for Men that pursing prize money of US$ 1,000.  A group of 16 local players are participating in the four-day squash showpiece. Final will be played on October 24, 2020 at same venue. Results: Naveed Rehman beat Jabbar Khan 11-8, 11-5, 11-5 (27 Min) Ali Ud Din beat Ahmed Sethi Walk Over Uzair Shaukat beat Mutahir Ali 12-10, 11-4, 11-4 (30 Min) Saeed Abdul beat Haseeb Taj 11-0, 11-5, 11-5 (21 Min) Faizan Khan beat Shaheer Ali 11-2, 11-3, 11-9 (20 Min) Mohammad Samiullah beat Waqar Khan 11-13, 11-7, 11-8, 8-11, 11-8 (35 Min) Asad Ullah Khan beat Wajihullah Naseem 11-2, 11-5, 11-5 (23 Min) Nasir Iqbal beat Safiullah Khan 11-5, 11-5, 11-5 (21 Min)

SPORTS DESK ISLAMABAD (September 25, 2020):-Former Pakistan squash player and former British Open Junior Squash Champion, Yasir Ali Butt made a mark after completing US Certified Level-3 coaching course in America. He is only Pakistani man, who qualified this top level squash coaching course. Now, he is training the budding squash players in USA. Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) should hire his international coaching service that could help the federation to polish the upcoming players and Pakistan could able to achieve the lost glory of squash.

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL ISLAMABAD (September 24, 2020):-Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) has directed its all affiliated unites including associations and departments to strictly follow the instructions issued by Pakistan Olympic Association (POA) in line with World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) Codes to prevent the national athletes from doping by educating them. According to media department of PSF, all affiliated members have also been directed to educate their respective players on the doping rules, regulations and to follow them in true letter and spirit to avoid any embarrassment during participation in major international squash events. PSF would continue pursuing its members to ensure compliance of government directives on doping rules in the best interest of national cause.     The use of drugs to enhance performance is considered unethical. Doping damages the reputation of sport, attacks integrity of professions and also maligns the image of a nation in the world.  As part of campaign to raise awareness about Anti-Doping amongst athletes, pursuant to directives from Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) and Pakistan Olympic Association (POA).    

ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL ISLAMABAD (July 26, 2020):-Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) organized online squash coaching and training sessions, aiming to maintain level of physical of the players during the Covid-19 restrictions, as the pandemic halted all sports activities in the country. According to PSF Media Department, federation has remained committed in engaging the players, coaches and trainers to stay connected with squash activities. PSF has already been conducting online physical training of players since March this year 2020 through Zoom application because of which the participants have been able to maintain a certain level of physical fitness. As part of faculty development, it was the vision of President and Senior Vice President, PSF that apart from players’ development, PSF may introduce opportunities for development of coaches in Pakistan. Therefore, PSF has arranged PSF Level-1 Squash Coaching Course from 20 July, 2020 which would last till 28 July, 2020. Owing to the restrictions of COVID-19 this course is being conducted on-Line through Zoom Application where all participants can interact and understand each other easily. PSF respects all the senior coaches of Pakistan who have a vast coaching experience and have trained many great players. However, it’s time to pass on the talent to amateurs to create more good coaches. Therefore, this course is planned for amateurs who want to start their career as a squash coach to train players starting from grass-root level. After Level-1, PSF will also conduct further advance level courses on the same pattern in near future. Such coaching courses are also conducted by other countries all over the world and PSF would continue to conduct more courses of Level-II and Level-III in future as well.  It is expected that this activity would help PSF to increase the pool of coaches in Pakistan and raise their qualification level in the coaching profession. Moreover, these courses will equally provide an opportunity to the amateurs to gain professional experience and utilize it in a better way to promote and expand the game of squash at grass roots level.  These are Pakistan level courses and it is expected that such courses would provide a platform to Pakistani players, trainers, coaches and amateurs to attend coaching courses of various levels organized by Asian Squash Federation and World Squash Federation and increase their professional knowledge / qualification in the field of coaching. In future, PSF also intends to hold ASF & WSF coaching courses in Pakistan. On recommendation of provincial squash associations & affiliated departments, a group of 49 players, trainers, coaches & amateurs are participating in subject course.  They include 14 from Punjab, 9 from KP, 9 from Sindh, 5 from Balochistan, 7 from PAF, 3 from SNGPL and one each from Army & ZTBL.  Besides local participants, few overseas Pakistanis are also attending the course. The main purpose of this arrangement is to keep the players, local coaches & amateurs actively involved in squash activities during the prevailing Covid-19 Pandemic. Moreover, the aim of this activity is to train the trainers for providing standardized training starting from grass-root level, educate them on the changing rules & latest techniques of game development to get better performance & results from amateur players. PSF Coaches Mr Rehman Gul, Fazal Shah & Asif Khan who have a vast professional experience and have sound knowledge of modern squash, are conducting the module of squash and conducting regular sessions for on-court practice / game development. Whereas, Physical Training module which is already being run since March this year, is being looked after by PSF Strength & Conditioning Coaches Mohammad Boota, Mohammad Anees and Mohammad Kashif. They are providing their expert services to maintain & improve players’ physical strength, fitness & stamina which is essentially required for a player to sustain throughout the tournament. There has been a very healthy participation in this Level-I coaching course and all the participants have been appreciating the trainers and such efforts. Most importantly, all the participants are very respectable and they have also been sharing their experiences with the coaches which has created a very healthy & interactive learning environment. We hope that this would help Pakistan to create best performing players in future.

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (March 16, 2020):-Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) has postponed the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) International Squash Championship for Men & Women, which was scheduled to be taken place at Mushaf Squash Complex, Islamabad from April 3 to 6 this year 2020. According to an official of PSF, owing to corona virus federation decided to postpone the international fixture. The corona virus is escalating and health & safety issues arising from the global outbreak of COVID-19, subject tournament has been postponed in consultation with Professional Squash Association (PSA) and concerned government authorities of Pakistan.  Revised dates of the tournament would be announced in due course of time.  PSA has also been approached for rescheduling of tournament in September time frame as per the slot available in PSA calendar.

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (January 9, 2020):-Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) on Thursday gave a cash award of Rs.500 thousand to Mohammad Hamza Khan, who won gold medal in the Under-15 age category of British Open Junior Squash Championship that  was taken place in Birmingham, England. According to media department of PSF, on Thursday, President PSF, Air Chief Marshal Mujahid Anwar Khan, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force met with Pakistan junior squash team and lauded their performance in this prestigious event. At this occasion, he and also awarded cash prizes among the players. Hamza Khan, who won the Under 15 title was awarded cash prize of Rs 500,000. Interacting with players, the Air Chief said that the whole nation was proud of young squash player Mohammad Hamza Khan, who brought laurels to the country by winning the championship after a big space of eight years. Also, head of the federation appreciated the hard work put in by the coaching staff for providing international standard training and coaching facilities to the young players.

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (January 8, 2020):-Pakistan’s 12 member contingent comprising 9 players and 3 officials arrived in Islamabad after participating in the British Open Juniors’ Squash Championship 2020 that concluded on January 6 in Birmingham, England. Mohammad Hamza Khan brought the honour after 8 years for country by winning gold medal in Under-15 age group category, who had defeated local guy Yusuf Sheikh at 11-4, 11-3 and 11-7. Top officials of Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) and Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) welcomed the players at Islamabad International Airport. An interaction with the media, PSF arranged special session at Mushaf Squash Complex. Secretary Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC) Akbar Durrani and Director General PSB Amna Imran were also present on this occasion and congratulated the teenager on their remarkable performance in the international junior squash showpiece.

Faraz Ahmed Kayani ISLAMABAD (January 5, 2020):-Pakistani teenager Mohammad Hamza Khan qualified for the final of Under-15 fixture of British Juniors’ Open Squash Championship 2020 after beating Yassin Shohdy of Egypt 3-0 in the semifinal at Birmingham, UK on Saturday. The final score-line was 11-5, 11-8, 11-7. He will take on Yousuf Sheikh from England in the final on Sunday at same venue. Results: Boys’ Under-15 (Semifinals) Mohammad Ammad (Pakistan) lost to Yousuf Sheikh (England) 9-11, 6-11, 7-11 Mohammad Hamza Khan (Pakistan) beat Yassin Shohdy (Egypt) 11-5, 11-8, 11-7 Boys’ Under-17 (Semifinals) (9/16) Noor Zaman (Pak) lost to (1) Sam Todd 6-11, 1-11, 1-11.