ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s brightest hope, Abdullah Nawaz, will not be competing in the under-19 event of the British Junior Open.
Abdullah, regarded as the nation’s best bet for success, was part of the Pakistan team that finished a disappointing 13th in the World Team Championship.
With the World Junior Championship looming in less than a year, his absence from the British Junior Open raises eyebrows.
It’s speculated that the lack of participation may be deliberate, denying the young talent critical international exposure needed for his growth and preparation.
Another notable absence in the under-19 category is Anas Bokhari, further dimming Pakistan’s prospects in the tournament. When questioned about
Abdullah’s absence, a Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) official cited visa delays as the reason.
“You need four to five weeks to secure a UK visa, but Abdullah was with the national team in Hong Kong,” the official explained.
This explanation, however, highlights glaring mismanagement. The British Junior Open is a fixed event on the squash calendar, and its importance for player development is well known. Proper measures to secure visas in time, especially for a player of Abdullah’s caliber, should have been prioritised.
Similarly, Anas Bokhari, who had worked tirelessly for the event, reportedly lacked the sponsorship needed to participate. The PSF, it appears, only provided financial support to a single player from a group of 15 participants. Muslim Hands sponsored Azan Ali Khan, who has already reached the UK for the Scottish Open and is expected to perform well in the British Juniors thanks to his ranking and first-round bye.
In the under-15 category, Ahmad Rayyan Khalil enters as an underdog, while the ladies’ categories will feature the Ali sisters: Mahoor (under-13), Sehrish (under-15), and Mehwish (under-17). Any success they achieve will owe more to their parents’ relentless efforts than institutional support.