ISLAMABAD, Feb 16: The Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) on Monday accepted the fact that the country’s current law and order situation has had a negative impact on holding international tournaments here.

“The PSF also suffered due to the Marriott Hotel bombing incident like all other sports,” said PSF’s Senior Vice President AVM Asim Suleman during a presentation here at the Air Headquarters.

“All the top-ranking international squash players pulled out of the Pakistan Open Squash Championship held in November 2008, citing security concerns,” he reminded before briefing the media about the PSF’s future development programme, infrastructure development and Vision 2011, by which time they hope to produce a world champion.

On the prevalent law and order situation and its repercussions he added: “Even the sponsors kept away and the tournament only kicked off after the government’s providing assurances of security.”

About the women players he revealed: “Most are over-age and the federation is facing difficulties due to lack of support from the parents of those who are not. However, new talent is being explored.”

Regarding PSF’s infrastructure development initiative, he said: “The Quetta squash complex will be elevated from its current status to an international-level complex due to financial support worth Rs4.5 million.”

Meanwhile, PSF President Air Marshal Tanvir Mehmood Ahmed, who was also present on the occasion, said: “Some foreign players did turn up for the event after assurances from the PSF.”

When asked whether the PSF would like to opt for neutral venues due to the security hassles, he stated: “We are not looking for avenues beyond Pakistan.”

While commenting on the reasons behind the top four players’ failure to clinch any international event despite winning at home, he said: “They [the players] are lacking strenuous physical training sessions, a proper diet, respect for the trainers, mental toughness and the will to fight it out on the court.”

The federation head asserted that the players should practise self-evaluation by watching their own match videos in order to pinpoint their weak points and succeed the next time.

He said the PSF would extend financial, training and sponsorship support to the senior players as well as help the juniors get more international exposure.

Acknowledging the efforts of his predecessors, Tanvir said the Pakistan Air Force has done a good job in serving the sport since 1974.