‘PSF selected injured boys for Asian Senior C’ship’

KARACHI: The new management of Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) selected injured players for Asian Senior Individual Championship though India saved it from embarrassment by not issuing visas to Pakistani players.

The championship is underway at Chennai, India.

PSF selected Farhan Zaman and Farhan Mehboob without trials and included Tayyab Aslam and Waqar Mehboob in the squad after trials. But it was later revealed that both Zaman and Mehboob were injured.

“The new management has showed its inability by selecting two injured players, who were the main players for Pakistan in this event,” said a local coach. “Had they got visas to play this championship, they would have faced huge embarrassment in front of many Asian nations,” he added.

‘The News’ reported a few days before the championship that Zaman had not recovered from the hamstring injury he has been carrying for past nine months. But PSF inducted him to play the championship.  

Following the news item, PSF tried to clarify the situation through a statement. “Farhan Zaman had an injury during Jubilee Insurance tournament [in Karachi. He was clearly told that he must not play any further and must focus on his recovery however despite injury he is determined to represent Pakistan in this prestigious event.

“Farhan has already withdrawn from Houston Open [and from Madison Open as well] due to the same reasons. His injury has been addressed at almost every level with best available physicians. Being a Pakistan Air Force employee he has been regularly treated by PAF doctors at PAF hospital, Islamabad.

“PSF has given Farhan Zaman complete liberty to decide his participation . . . considering his state of injury and treatment from any physician of his choice as PSF is more concerned about his injury instead of his participation in any tournaments,” stated PSF.

Later, it was found that Mehboob too was injured as he retired after two sets in his first match in Houston Open.

It is puzzling that PSF allowed him to go to the United States when he was injured. PSF tried to cover this embarrassment by “recalling” Mehboob to Pakistan to treat his injury.