ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) has sought comprehensive reports from the squash and kabaddi federations, asking them to explain the reasons for their dismal performance at the recently-concluded Asian Games.

Through a letter, the PSB directed the Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) to find out the cause of their bad showing in Incheon.

The letter said that the country’s squash players had given a better account of themselves at the previous edition of the continental Games in Guangzhou in 2008 where they won a gold medal along with a silver medal.

The men’s team, defending their title, failed to qualify for the knockout stages, raising questions about their performance.

“The PSF is required to find out the cause of the bad performance. PSB and PSF had made all efforts to facilitate the players in term of coaching, training and boarding but the dismal performance has demoralised the squash lovers as well to the general public,” read the letter dated October 14, made available with Dawn.

Poor show in Incheon

The letter added that the PSF may send the fact-finding report to DG PSB office and Federal Minister Office, IPC office.

PSF secretary Amir Nawaz said that federation was probing the matter. “The coach has furnished his report and in next two days the manager will also submit his report, then we will analyse both reports to make the final decision,” he told Dawn on Thursday, adding that PSF will cover all aspects.

Pakistan’s squash legend Qamar Zaman said: “I was pretty sure that our team will retain their gold at the Asian Games as we had a balanced and perfect team, but I don’t know what happened with the team.”

The PSB also sought a report from the Pakistan Kabbadi Federation (PKF) after the team lost in the semi-finals to Iran. The kabaddi team, however, did bag the bronze medal — awarded to both losing semi-finalists.

Published in Dawn, October 17th, 2014