September 21, 2008	Sunday	Ramazan 20, 1429

KARACHI, Sept 20: Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) on Friday evening unveiled an ambitious plan to produce a world champion within the next three years under its vision 2011 program. Details of the plan were announced at PAF Museum by PSF Senior Vice President, Air Vice Marshal Asim Suleman who also expressed confidence that Pakistan was capable of producing a champion soon.

He said PSF was highly encouraged by the performance of Pakistan junior team which won the World Championship in Switzerland this year.

AVM Asim said Pakistan has a good pool of young and senior players and with proper grooming and training they can be developed into world champions. “We have prepared a special plan and that plan will be implemented step by step in the next three years to groom the champion.”

He said PSF, with a meagre budget of Rs 1.6 million at its disposal, had an uphill task ahead but was determined to provide the best facilities to develop the players’ skills. “PSF is providing all travelling facilities to its players and footing all their bills which no other federation in the world is doing.”

“Aamir Atlas, Mansoor Zaman and Farhan Mehboob are brilliant players and have got the potential to go places.”

He, however, admitted that despite the federation’s best efforts, they had been unable to bring a player among the top ten of world ranking in the last decade.

The PSF official pointed out that the federation was extending all support to district and provincial associations to promote and develop junior players.

While dispelling the impression that Qamar Zaman had resigned as the vice president, Asim said it was interesting to note that Jansher Khan, whose talent was nurtured and who got his roots in Pakistan Air Force was criticising the federation.—APP