LAHORE, Dec 21: President Gen Pervez Musharraf urged on Sunday young Pakistani players to regain country’s lost prestige in sports especially in squash, announcing the establishment of a world-class indoor games complex at the old Lahore airport.

He was speaking at the prize distribution ceremony of the World Open squash championship at the old Airport.

The president who witnessed the final game also gave away trophies to the winner and the runner-up.

He said he had already announced Rs10 million for a Pakistani player winning the World Open Squash and Rs5m for the one winning the British Open but was ready to pay more. “I would be glad to give more to the winners,” he said.

The president said the government was trying its best to improve sports in the country. At one time, Pakistani players used to win laurels for the country in hockey, squash and athletics, he recalled.

He said the government was pursuing a three-pronged policy to improve sports. It was reorganizing and improving sports organizations like the Pakistan Olympics Association and Pakistan Cricket Board. “Unless they become excellent they cannot hunt the best talent,” he said.

The president said another step was the promotion of inter- district, inter-provincial, national and inter-school, and inter- collegiate competitions.

Lastly, he said, the government was encouraging corporations like the PIA, Wapda and railways to take part in games. “We want them to activate in sports besides trying to improve sports facilities in the country,” he said.

While announcing the establishment of an indoor sports complex at the old airport the president said all resources would be utilized for grooming young players and to enable them win laurels for the country and for themselves.

He regretted that the standard of Pakistani squash had gone down, recalling how the Mighty Khans — Hashim Khan, Jehangir Khan and Jansher Khan — continued to rule the world of squash for many long years.

“I used to play squash and am a great enthusiast of the game. I look back with nostalgia on Pakistani squash. The country used to be identified with its players’ top positions in the world squash. Now, we didn’t reach even the semifinal,” he regretted.

The president, nevertheless, was happy over the performance of Pakistani Under 19, 17 and 15 players at the world competitions. He hoped that with all facilities they would attain the lost prestige of the country. The government would give them all so that they can come up and perform well, he said.

He advised young players to work hard for reaching the top levels. “We will have to perform well. It is hard work, training which will bring you to the top as the world sport has become tougher and scientific. You must put in your heart and soul in the game,” he said.

The president congratulated the winner and the runner-up and hoped that those who could not reach the final had also enjoyed the tournament. Mr Shabana made his country proud by winning the final, he said mentioning that Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak also plays squash.

He said a lot of upsets in the tournament showed that the younger players were performing well. “It is encouraging to see as many young players defeating senior players at higher positions,” he said.

The president expressed his happiness over the creation of world standard facilities for the squash tournament at the airport and also urged private parties to continue sponsoring sports in the country.