International Squash Championship in Lahore: Gaining Pakistans lost glory
Pakistan ruled Squash for years; can it gain its lost glory, govt. role has a lot to do with it.
(Web Desk) – International Squash Championship is underway in Punjab Squash Complex in Lahore. Players from Egypt, Iran, Pakistan, and France are taking part in the event. Foreign players seemed overjoyed visiting Lahore. Though they said we have been visiting other parts of the country including Islamabad but we had craze to visit Lahore, a cultural hub of Pakistan.
Irani player said I have been visiting Islamabad lately and now Lahore. It is going to be an awesome experience as players from various countries are participating in the championship. Egyptian player said it is my first time in Lahore and I have heard a lot about it.
National players seemed confident and talking to Dunya News one of them said it is pleasure for us that we are playing against international players in our own home country which is giving us motivation. Not only us but our juniors are gaining a lot of experience.
Jahangir Khan was the youngest winner of the World Open and between 1982 and 1991 he won 10 British Open titles. While Jansher Khan won World Open a record eight times, and the British Open six times. This is phenomenal and no country ruled any sport with these many records.
Pakistani players’ ranking and experience were far better than that of foreign players but owing to better coaching, they performed relatively well. These players do have potential which needs to be explored at the earliest so that they could bring good name to Pakistan.
Gaining lost glory
Pakistan has been the leaders of world squash for many years. Well-acclaimed players like Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan have left a legacy that cannot be set aside in the history of the game. Jahangir Khan was the youngest winner of the World Open and between 1982 and 1991 he won 10 British Open titles. While Jansher Khan won World Open a record eight times, and the British Open six times. This is phenomenal and no country ruled any sport with these many records.
Female’s participation in this game is worth noticing. Now that young male and female players have intense interest in the sport, the only thing required is succour from the government. Pakistan now has a sportsman as its prime minister and nation especially players attach high hopes with him.
Imran Khan himself was a remarkable player and his incumbency must benefit these youngsters. It is time to spend resources on these players and arranging more such events; this is the only way Pakistan will be able to gain its lost glory.
Reported by Sana ullah Khan
Edited and translated by Junaid Ali Malik
