ISLAMABAD: The young Pakistani squash players, whose performances in India in the Asian Junior Individual Squash Championship, made the entire nation proud, arrived home on Sunday.

The promising juniors brought laurels to the country by winning three gold and one silver medal during the event held in Chennai.

Pakistan Squash Federation secretary Tahir Sultan told Dawn that the victories will provide as a boost to the country’s progress in squash.

Sultan said that the performance of the junior players showed that Pakistani players could win mega events.

“Now, there is need for determination and consideration. The next target of our players will be British Juniors, which is going to be held in January,” he said.

In the U-15 category Mohammad Hamza had outclassed Arnav Sareen from India in straight sets 11-6, 11-9, 11-9) to win the gold medal. While, In the U-17 category, Haris Qasim won gold after defeating Amir Azhar from Malaysia 10-12, 8-11, 11-9, 11-5, 11-9.

Whereas, the third gold medal was clinched by Abbas Zeb in the U-19 category when he defeated Hong Kong’s Chung Yat Long 11-4, 11-3, 11-4.

Young Anas Ali Shah put up a good fight against India’s Yuvraj Wadhwani but lost the closely-fought match 11-13, 5-11, 11-6, 10-12 winning the silver medal in the U-13 category.

The secretary PSF said the juniors players had the potential to excel and the federation would provide them full support. He said victories in junior events always help the players to win mega international senior events.

Published in Dawn, October 1st, 2018