June 24, 2008	Tuesday	Jamadi-us-Sani 19, 1429

ISLAMABAD, June 23: Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, on Monday awarded Amir Atlas and Farhan Mahboob Rs500,000 and Rs300,000 respectively for attaining first and second positions in the recently held Chief of Air Staff (CAS) International squash championship in Islamabad.

The players paid a courtesy call on the Prime Minister at the PM House on Monday.

Talking to the players, the Prime Minister said that the entire nation was proud of them and hoped that their achievement will help revive prospects of squash and also help the country regain its erstwhile glory in the game.

While encouraging the squash players to work harder bring greater laurels to the country, the Prime Minister also asked them to continue to focus on their studies as well.

Amir and Farhan thanked the Prime Minister for his encouragement and assured him that they would do their best to improve Pakistan’s international ranking in the game.

The two players addressing a press conference, later in the day at the Mushaf Squash Complex, said that they will perform their best in the upcoming international events to bring victories for the nation.

Aamir, said “For the last year-and a-half I am practicing under the coach Faheem Gul and I am confident regarding the practice and training sessions under him”.

“I am training for the important fixture however, a tough fight will be between me and the Egyptian players” Aamir said.

“I’ll try to be in top 15 international squash players if I continue with the current winning streak” said the 17-year old emerging squash player.

About his future target Aamir said that “I am currently eyeing the World Junior Men’s Squash Championship which will commence from August 27-07 at Zurich, Switzerland”.

Farhan Mehboob, the runner-up of CAS International Squash Championship, said that he will be vying for the CIMB Malaysia Open championship and participating in the event would increase his international ranking.

“The upcoming CIMB Malaysian Open in July would help improving my international squash ranking” the second ranked national squash player added.