KARACHI: National carrier PIA, whose contribution to sports has remained unparalleled during yesteryears, has now come forward with an announcement to relaunch colt scheme for squash after a long layoff.

The formal announcement in this regard came from none other than the CEO of the airlines, Musharraf Rasool Cyan, at a well attended press conference held at the PIA head office auditorium on Thursday.

Living squash legend and a product of PIA Colt scheme, Jahangir Khan, former hockey Olympian Islahuddin Siddiqui, ex-Test cricketers Javed Miandad, Shoaib Mohammad and Moin Khan, former squash player Maqsood Ahmed and Farhan Samiullah were prominent among others who were present on the occasion.

Open trials for selection soon, says Jahangir

The airlines chief said he had acceded to Jahangir’s request and assured to extend all help and assistance to revive the glorious past of the game.

“This is just a beginning by the airlines, which is a national organisation, and it will play it’s role in tapping and polishing the squash talent,” he maintained.

He said there’s no dearth of talent in the country and efforts are required to provide inspiration to the talented youth.

Admitting that PIA is going through difficult times, the CEO at the same time sounded optimistic to make it one of the top airlines of the world.

“PIA will benefit with the expertise of the squash great besides other technocrats and will stand up and flourish with them in all spheres of life,” he remarked.

At the outset, the 10-time former British Open and six-time World Open champion said he’s proud to have remained part of PIA, starting as a colt back in 1977-78 and throughout his playing career as well as afterwards.

“PIA has been a great supporter to me since my induction when retired Air Marshal Nur Khan was at the helm of affairs,” Jahangir recalled.

Citing examples of Miandad, Islah and Moin, he said they and many others were groomed into stalwarts by banks, PIA, customs and financial institutions.

He went on to say that nothing is impossible and Pakistan can regain the lost prestige in squash with sincerity, merit and hard work.

Jahangir called upon the PIA CEO to benefit from the former celebrities of sports by inducting them in advisory role for the revival of hockey, cricket and football.

Earlier, a video of 1981 World Open fnal between Jahangir Khan and Geoff Hunt was shown which was highly appreciated by the viewers. The video highlighted the moment when the great Khan ended Australian Hunt’s supremacy who was the then world No 1 player and had ruled the squash world for over five years in succession.

Answering questions, Jahangir said the players who will be selected after open trials across the country purely on ‘merit’ will be trained at the PN Roshan Khan-Jahangir Khan squash complex, Jahangir Khan squash complex PSB Coaching Centre or at Moin Khan Academy in Defence phase VIII.

Asked about reviving the colt scheme in other disciplines the PIA chief said: “It’s the first step and things will be improved with the passage of time.”

He also presented a special award to Jahangir on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, January 5th, 2018