ISLAMABAD: Former World No. 1 Jansher Khan, who has been appointed as adviser to Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) president, said on Thursday that he would put in all his efforts to help the country regain its last glory in squash.

“Pakistan has got immense talent in squash and as for skills, our players are matchless but their physical level cannot match up to the international standard,” he told APP after his appointment as adviser to PSF president Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman.

Jansher, who won the World Open a record eight times and the British Open six times, was appointed adviser to PSF president on Thursday after he called on him at his office here.

“The decision of appointing Jansher as adviser to the PSF president was taken after a meeting of the Air Chief Marshal with the legendary player here at the Air Headquarters,” PSF secretary Amir Nawaz told APP.

He said that all factors including performance of players and current situation of the game were discussed in the meeting.

“Jansher has willingly offered his services for the cause of squash in Pakistan to achieve favourable results at the international level.”

On the other hand, Jansher said that he had discussed a plan in his meeting with the PSF president to improve the standard of squash in the country.

Pakistan, once known as the most successful nation in squash, has produced no British Open winner since 1997 with the country even failing to make it to the world’s top ten players since 1997.

Currently, Pakistan has got no player who can qualify for the British Open’s main draw. But Jansher believes that Pakistan could once again be a formidable nation in squash as soon it would start producing top-class players.

“We have great talent but we need to be focused. I’m sure we will soon start producing squash champions,” he maintained, adding that during the ongoing Chief of Air Staff International Squash Championship he would stay in Islamabad to have a closer look at Pakistan players.

“I have decided to stay here to closely watch their game. I will be observing their game throughout the event which will help me assess what they really lack.”

Jansher said that initially he would be focusing on Farhan Mehboob, Nasir Iqbal, Waqar Mehboob and Amir Atlas as well as some budding players from the academies.

“We can find out future champions from academies in Lahore, Karachi and Peshawar,” he said, adding that he would be happy if he succeeded in assisting Pakistan in producing world champions.

The legendary squash player further said that he would be having two assistants who would provide training to players. “I will also be with them once a week.”

Hailing PSF president’s efforts in connection with the uplift of the game, he said that he was a sincere and committed man, adding that the steps taken by him would help in improving the standard of squash in the country.

Published in Dawn October 2nd, 2015

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