Injury keeps Maria out of C’wealth Games

ISLAMABAD: Maria Toorpakai has been ruled out of the forthcoming Gold Coast Commonwealth Games due to ankle injury leaving Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) with no other option but to include reserve player in her place.

PSF secretary Group Captain Tahir Sultan said that Maria had been ruled out of the Games due to injury. “Maria who is in Canada these days have communicated that she would not be hundred percent fit to compete in the event and as such has decided to opt out of the Games. She has been the mainstay for the country in women event considering her rankings. Her decision to opt out of the Games on medical ground indeed is a big blow to Pakistan chances in the event,” PSF secretary said.

He said that reserve player Faiza Zafar would now be accompanying Madina Zafar for the Games.“Maria has sent her medical certificate citing ankle problem as the reason for her decision to bow out of the championship. We now have included the first reserve Faiza in place of Maria in the team for the Games.”

The secretary PSF has also lamented Sadia Gul’s attitude as she failed to respond to the repeated calls from the federation. “She hasn’t responded to the PSF despite being one of the leading contenders for a place in the national women teams for Korean Asian Meet and Commonwealth Games.”

Meanwhile, Pakistan men and women squash teams are leaving tomorrow (Saturday) for Korea to compete in the Asian Championship starting from March 21. Men’s team includes Farhan Zaman, Tayyab Aslam, Ammad Fareed and Asem Khan while women team comprises Madina Zafar, Faiza Zafar and Riffat Khan.

Pakistan men’s team has been placed in Group B that includes Korea, Philippines and Sri Lanka. Malaysia and Hong Kong are the other leading teams in the competition. India has already opted out of the tournament because of the infighting between federation and the players.

Pakistan women team has been placed along with Hong Kong, Korea, Sri Lanka and Thailand.

Though Pakistan has remote chances of making impact in the women event while considering draws, the men’s team is expected to bring medals for the country.Farhan Zaman and Tayyab Aslam are to carry Pakistan fortunes in the men’s event in the Games where apart from singles, doubles event would also be contested.