KARACHI: Pakistan’s first online squash coaching course was launched here on Thursday with Commissioner Karsachi Iftikhar Shallwani inaugurating it in a simple ceremony.

The online course of two weeks duration will see scores of squash players and coaches attending it from across the country. It has been jointly organised by Pakistan Sports Welfare Association (PSWA) and Sports for Life.

The Commissioner said on the occasion that while every sphere of life has been affected by the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, sports is also suffering a lot. “It is unfortunate that due to the Covid-19 pandemic, sports grounds are barren and no activity is happening. Therefore, it is a big challenge to keep sportspersons and officials motivated in these times and I must laud PSWA and Sports For Life for arranging these very beneficial online courses,” said Iftikhar Shallwani.

CEO Sports For Life Shehzad Qazi said over 200 budding and talented squash players of under 15 years of age have been invited to attend the course. “Besides some instructions, the youngsters will be asked to send their two-minute video to this challenge event where they have to hit the ball non-stop. The best of these players will be awarded prizes.”

Chief patron PSWA Ghulam Mohammad also praised Sindh CM Murad Ali Shah and Commissioner Karachi for patronizing and supporting sports in the province.

Also present on the occasion were Additional Commissioner Waqas Roshan, prominent organizer Nadeem Maazji, Advocate Shahzaib Kayani, squash player Advocate Ghulam Abbas Jamal, Pakistan yoga federation’s Mohammad Arshad and others were also present.

Published in Dawn, July 17th, 2020