Squash
Saurav and Joshna miss the Asian Individual Squash fixture
Abdul Jabbar Faisal
ISLAMABAD (December 11, 2021):-The Asian Individual Squash Championships for Men’s and Women’s will start from December 15, 2021 at Mushaf Squash Complex Islamabad, as the defending champions Saurav Ghosal and Joshna Chinappa both from India will not visit Islamabad to defend their regional squash titles.
It is pertinent to mention here that Pakistan had won the Asian Individual Squash Championship eight years back in 2013 when Aamir Atlas Khan had defeated Abdullah Al Muzayan from Kuwait in the final at same venue four-wall glass court of the Mushaf Squash Complex Islamabad.
On Saturday even, Secretary Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) Armaghan Aziz told www.sports-bulletin.com correspondent while talking over mobile that the players from Pakistan, Hong Kong, Kuwait, Qatar, Malaysia and Sri Lankan players would fight for the top honour during the 5-day international squash fixture, “he further said.
“Malaysian lad Ng Eain is the top seed player while Abullah Mohammad Al Tamimi from Qatar will be second seed in Asian Individual Squash Championship. Yuen Chee Wern also from Malaysia is fourth seed, Hong Kong’s Yip Tsz Fung and Leung Chi Hin Henry are fifth and sixth seed while Qatar’s Syed Azlan Iqbal is eighth seed; Hong Kong’s Lau Tsz Kwan and Lee Ho Yin are ninth and tenth seeds, respectively, “he added.
To a question he said, “Pakistan’s Tayyab Aslam is 3rd seed, Asim Khan 7th seed, Nasir Iqbal 11th seed, Farhan Zaman 14th seed, Israr Ahmed 15th seed and Ammad Fareed 16th seed. “The Main Draw of Men’s event will consist of 32 players while Women’s Draw will consist of 16 players. Total 28 foreign players from Malaysia, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, Kuwait, and Qatar will take part in the championship. The officials from Singapore and Iran will also visit Pakistan, “he concluded.
Houston Open starts from January 4: Nasir Iqbal gets Wild Card entry
Abdul Jabbar Faisal
ISLAMABAD (December 7, 2021):-Pakistan top squash lad Nasir Iqbal got the Wild Card entry in the upcoming Houston Open Squash Championship 2022, which will be played from January 4 to 9 next year at Houston Squash Center (HSC), Houston Texas, United States of America (USA), as the top ranking squash players have conformed their participation in the top world squash international showpiece.
According to an official from Houston, the tournament is pursuing prize money of US$ 100,000 and World Champion Ali Farag from Egypt is the top seed player. Besides Seed Ali Farag (Current World Champion), Mohamed Elshorbagy (Former World Champion), Diego Elias (Qatar Classic Champion), Mostafa Assal (US Open Champion), Marwan ElShorbagy (Houston Open Champion), Karim Samy Abdelgawad (Houston Open and Former World Champion), Rodríguez Miguelon (British Open Champion), Mazen H. Gamal (2 Times Houston Open Champion), Greg Mch and Raphael Kendra will fight for top honour during the 6-day international squash fixture.
Players seeding:
1st Seed Ali Farag (Current World Champion)
2nd Seed Mohamed Elshorbagy (Former World Champion)
3rd Seed Diego Elias (Qatar Classic Champion)
4th Seed Mostafa Assal (US Open Champion)
5th Seed Marwan ElShorbagy (Houston Open Champion)
6th Seed Karim Samy Abdelgawad (Houston Open And Former World Champion)
7th Seed Rodríguez Miguelon (British Open Champion)
8th Seed Mazen H. Gamal (2 Times Houston Open Champion)
(www.sports-bulletin.com)
Japan expose Pakistan preparations for Asian Team Championship
Kala Lumpur, Malaysia (SB Report):-Japan defeated Pakistan2-1 in the Asian Men’s Team Squash Championship 2021 match on Thursday morning at National Squash Centre, Bukit Jalil, Kala Lumpur Malaysia and asked Pakistan lads to fly back home. Four top Pakistan players and three officials failed to save the blushes of Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF).
It was a back-to-back second nightmare for the PSF officials, as a day back India team also defeated Pakistan for the first time in the history of world squash. Japan also treated Pakistan squash and ousted Pakistan for the first time in an international squash fixture. Now, Pakistan will play for 5 to 8 position first time in the history of Pakistan squash.
Ivan Yuen then doubled the lead with an 11-7, 11-9, 11-7 win over Ravindu Laksiri before Syafiq Kamal completed the win by beating Shariff Hakeem 11-3, 11-4, 11-5.
World No 269 Ryunosuke Tsukue delivered the winning point for Japan by beating world No 113 Amaad Fareed 12-10, 11-7, 11-6 in the deciding rubber.
Japan No 1 Ryosei Kobayashi had earlier given the team the lead by beating Tayyab Aslam 11-6, 10-12, 13-11, 11-3 before Nasir Iqbal levelled by beating Tomotaka Endo 11-9, 11-9, 11-7.
Results:
Tayyab Aslam lost Ryosei Kobayashi (1-3) 6-11, 12-10, 11-13, 3-11 (53m)
Nasir Iqbal beat Tomotaka Endo (3-0) 11-9, 11-9, 11-7 (30m)
Amaad Fareed lost Ryunosuke Tsukue (0-3) 10-12, 7-11, 6-11(37m)
India restrict Pakistan Squash at South Asian level
Kala Lumpur, Malaysia (SB Report):-A nerve-jangling clash in Kala Lumpur saw India claim a narrow victory 2-1 over Pakistan thanks to Saurav Ghosal, who overcame Pakistan No 1 Tayyab Aslam 3-2, in the decider fixture in the Asian Men’s Team Event Squash Championship that is going on in the capital city of Malaysia.
India beat Pakistan (2-1)
Ramit Tandon beat Asim Khan 11-5, 11-9, 14-12
Nasir Iqbal beat M Mangaonk 9-11, 13-11, 11-8, 11-7
Saurav Ghosal beat Tayyab Aslam 9-11, 7-11, 11-1, 11-7, 11-8.
Asian Squash Championship: Pakistan outplay Iraq 3-0
ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL
Islamabad (December 1, 2021):-Pakistan squash team comprising Pakistan No. 1, Tayyab Aslam, Nasir Iqbal and Amaad Freed out played Iraq 3-0 in the ongoing 20th Asian Squash Team Championship 2021, as all three players wasted only 16 minutes each to exit their opponents from the courts at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Wednesday morning.
As many as 12 are participating in the regional squash event including India, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Pakistan, Japan, Iran, Korea, Philippines, Iraq, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. India, Pakistan, Japan, Philippines, Iraq and Indonesia are in Pool-A, as the Malaysia, Hong Kong, Iran, Korea, Singapore and Sri Lanka are in Pool-B.
Results
Tayyab Aslam beat Rasool Hashim Al-sultani (3-0) 11-2 12-10 11-7 (16m)
Nasir Iqbal beat Abdullah Hashim Al-Sultani (3-0) 11-3 11-6 14-12 (16m)
Amaad Fareed beat Hasanain Obeid Dakheel (3-0) 11-6 11-3 11-7 (16m)
Stefanoni and Cardenas lift Singles Gold at Junior Pan American
Cali-Valle, Colombia (SB Report):-The USA’s Marina Stefanoni and Mexico’s Leonel Cardenas have won squash singles gold medals at the Junior Pan American Games in Cali-Valle, Colombia.
The pair, both highly ranked on the PSA World Tour, dominated their respective competitions, with Stefanoni securing a comprehensive 3-0 win over Mexico’s Dina Anguiano and Cardenas overcoming Colombia’s Matias Knudsen by the same scoreline.
Stefanoni had been in dominant form throughout her singles run, knocking out Canada’s Iman Shaheen, Ecuador’s Maria Buenaño and Colombia’s Lucia Sarmiento without dropping a game.
In the final, against Anguiano, Stefanoni completed her flawless run. The 18-year-old World No.66 attacked from the first moment, taking the first game 11-4, the second 11-5 and the third 11-4 to secure a memorable gold, just three days before her 19th birthday.
Speaking after the match, Stefanoni said: “I thought I played well and I was happy to have made it through in three games. Dina was a tough opponent and I was very excited to win gold here. I sincerely hope that squash remains in the Pan American Youth Games for many years to come. I’d like to thank my parents and all the coaches that have worked with me throughout my junior career.”
En route to the final, the 21-year-old World No.49 bested Argentina’s Jeremias Azaña, Peru’s Rafael Galvez and Guatemala’s Junior Enriquez, and went into the final favourite to claim the title.
Knudsen caused Cardenas problems in the first game, and the Mexican was made to work hard for an 11-8 win. After this victory, though, Cardenas pressed his advantage, wrapping up the title with an 11-6 win in the second game and a crushing 11-3 win in the decisive third.
“It was a tough match and the crowd was cheering for the other side. In the first game, Matias played awesome and I had to use my experience from playing on the PSA World Tour to keep up with him and stay focused. I played solid in the second and third games and managed to win. I am very thankful to Team Mexico, my family and friends for their continued support,” Cardenas said afterwards.
With those victories, both Marina Stefanoni and Leonel Cardenas have secured a berth in the 2023 Pan American Games Individual events in Santiago, Chile.
Mexico and Colombia Take Doubles Gold at Junior Pan American Games
Islamabad (Sports Desk):-Mexico and Colombia have taken gold medals in the doubles events at the Junior Pan American Games, Cali-Valle. Both countries dominated the doubles events throughout, with the two contesting all three finals.
Mexico took gold in the women’s and mixed events, with Fabiola Cabello and Poala Franco defeating Maria Ramirez and Valentina Sanchez, while Dina Anguiano and Leonel Cadenas beat Lucia Bautista and Nicolas Serna. There was some revenge to be had for Colombia in the men’s doubles, as Juan Torres and Matais Knudsen defeated Juan Salazar and Leonardo Vargas.
The Games that held every four years for athletes between the ages of 17-22, feature 315 events across 28 sports, including squash singles, doubles and team events. This year’s event is being held in the west Colombian city of Cali, with squash being played in Club Campestre de Cali. Earlier this week, the USA’s Marina Stefanoni and Mexico’s Leonel Cardenas claimed the women’s and men’s singles titles, while the teams’ finals conclude on December 01.
Both Mexico and Colombia went into the women’s doubles gold medal match with reason to be confident. Mexico came through tough contests against Canada and Ecuador to reach the final, while hosts Colombia had downed the Cayman Islands and came from behind to beat Guatemala, who had earlier shocked the much-fancied U.S. team.
The opening game of the final was one of razor-thin margins, with Mexico pushing their noses in front with a hard-fought 11-10 win. Colombia struck back well in the second to level the match with an 11-8 win, only for Mexico to regroup to claim the decisive third game 11-7.
In the men’s final, Knudsen recovered from his singles final disappointment to put in a great performance alongside Torres to claim a deserved gold, to the delight of the home crowd. In an entertaining first game, Colombia had one hand on the trophy with an 11-6 win. Mexico fought back well in the second, but were unable to prevent Colombia from securing gold, with the hosts wrapping the match up with an 11-9 win.
In the mixed final, Colombia had a golden opportunity to secure another medal when they took the first game with a dominant 11-3 win. Mexico, though, came back furiously and stunned Colombia with 11-7 and 11-8 wins to seal a memorable win.
World Team Squash Championships 2021 Cancelled
Islamabad (Special Report):-The World Squash Federation (WSF) and the Squash Rackets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) jointly announced that the WSF Men’s World Team Squash Championship 2021 that was scheduled to be held in Kuala Lumpur between December 7-12, has been cancelled.
The WSF believes in an open and inclusive Men’s World Team Squash Championships and the possibility that some nations would be unable to compete due to the lack of confirmation over the issuing of visas by the National Authorities has led SRAM to inform the WSF of the decision to cancel.
In addition, the WSF and SRAM both have concerns surrounding the new COVID-19 variant – Omicron – which has been reported in multiple countries around the world and could have a big impact on the ability of certain teams to travel to Malaysia for the event.
“We’re extremely disappointed to announce that this year’s WSF Men’s World Team Squash Championship has been cancelled. Together with SRAM, we have worked very hard to put the event on against the backdrop of the global COVID-19 pandemic, which had already caused us to move the event from Tauranga in New Zealand,” said WSF President Zena Wooldridge.
“I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Council of Malaysia for their unwavering efforts to influence the highest authorities of Malaysia to ensure the ability of all participating teams including Israel to enter Malaysia and compete, without any political discrimination, in accordance with the principles and rules of the Olympic Charter. It is important to WSF that no nation who wishes to compete misses out on the event.
“I’d like to thank SRAM and its President Gerard Monteiro for the hard work they had put into planning the event prior to this decision. Our focus now turns towards 2022 and we will work closely with our Member Nation Federations as we look to put a robust calendar of events in place next year.”
Pakistan thrash Philippine and Indonesia 3-0
ABDUL JABBAR FAISAL
Islamabad (November 30, 2021):-Pakistan squash team took a brilliant start in the 20th Asian Squash Team Championship after beating Philippines and Indonesia 3-0 at Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on Tuesday.
According to media department of Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF), as many as 12 are participating in the regional squash event including India, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Pakistan, Japan, Iran, Korea, Philippines, Iraq, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Indonesia. India, Pakistan, Japan, Philippines, Iraq and Indonesia are in Pool-A, as the Malaysia, Hong Kong, Iran, Korea, Singapore and Sri Lanka are in Pool-B.
Pakistan beat Philippines (3-0)
Amaad Fareed beat Reymark Begornia 11-8, 11-5 and 11-3
Tayyab Aslam beat Robert Andrew by 13-11, 11-8 11-5
Nasir Iqbal beat David William by 11-5, 11-8, 11-7
Pakistan beat Indonesia (3-0)
Nasir Iqbal beat Nur Altaftyan 11-8, 11-5, 11-1
Asim Khan beat Agung Wilant 11-2, 11-9, 11-7
Tayyab Aslam beat Satria Bagus 11-5, 11-7, 11-5.
Jansher Khan calls Director General Sports Board Punjab Javed Chohan
Sports Report
LAHORE (November 18, 2021):-Squash legend Jansher Khan called on Director General Sports Punjab Javed Chohan at his office at National Hockey Stadium here on Thursday. The promotion of squash among the younger generation was discussed in detail during the meeting.
After a detailed meeting with Director General Sports Punjab Javed Chohan, Jansher and other officials also visited the under-construction State of the Art Squash Complex in Nishtar Park Sports Complex. President Punjab Squash Association and Secretary Local Govt Noor ul Amin Mengal, Director Sports Hafeez Bhatti, Deputy Director Youth Affairs Sayed Omair Hasan, PMU officials and other top officials were also present on this occasion.
Director General Sports Punjab Javed Chohan briefed the squash legend about the construction and various modern facilities being provided at the State of the Art Squash Complex.
Legendary squash player Jansher, who won World Open squash tournament record eight times and British Open six times during his illustrious career, expressed his delight over the construction of the State of the Art Squash Complex in Nishtar Park Sports Complex. “It is nice to see a world class modern squash arena being built in Lahore. Now international squash players and teams will visit Pakistan to feature in world squash events”.
President Punjab Squash Association Noor ul Amin Mengal expressed his satisfaction over the pace of construction work of State of the Art Squash Complex. “Now we will be able to host international level squash events without any trouble. We are organizing regular squash events to prepare a pool of talented squash players,” he added.
Director General Sports Punjab Javed Chohan said that the game of squash is quite popular among the young generation and we can further nurture the talented players after completing the State of the Art Squash Complex in Nishtar Park Sports Complex. “We are building this project speedily and hopefully this project will be completed during next year,” he added.
Director General Sports Punjab Javed Chohan further said that eight squash courts including one international, one national and six practice courts are being built in this grand complex. “All modern facilities will be provided in the Squash Complex”.
Director General Sports Punjab Javed Chohan expressed his hope that Sports Board Punjab will trace numerous talented squash players through this grand facility. “The construction of the State of the Art Squash Complex is definitely a major development in regard to the future of squash in Pakistan”.
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