‘Junior events with low prize money hurting squash’

KARACHI: The squash organisers in the country are holding low-prize junior events with novel changes.

For past one year or so, provincial associations have been holding such junior events just to win performance trophy at the end of the year from Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF).“Their aim is simply to win the performance trophy. And this is being done at the cost of national junior squash that is getting ruined due to this practice,” said a local coach.

The coach added that there was a time when high-prize junior events were held and a big number of players got chance to participate, giving rise to healthy competition.“The number of participants has now fallen because of special formats of these events,” said the coach.

The organisers have limited draws and that too with allowance of many wild card entries. All Pakistan National Junior Squash Championship held from February 20-24 at Punjab Squash Complex, Lahore, offered just Rs75,000. It had draw size of 16 places for the main round (11 direct + one wild card + four qualifiers). The qualifying round too had 16 players (12 direct + four local qualifiers).

The second event is 1st Wazir Khan All Pakistan National Junior Squash Championship being organised by KPK Squash Association at PAF Squash Complex, Peshawar, has just Rs100,000 in prize money.

The event is scheduled from March 27-31. It too has small draw size. For qualifying round, there are 12 direct places and four for local qualifiers. The main round has 11 direct places, one wild card and four qualifiers.

The organisers are also offering one wild card for each category of the main round.“This trend is severely damaging junior squash of the country. If it is not contained soon it will destroy competitive squash in Pakistan. The authorities should look into this mess,” said the coach.