Send players to US, says Zarak

KARACHI: Zarak Jahan Khan, former World No 8 and one of the best squash players Pakistan produced, has suggested that the authorities send players to the United States instead of England.
“I suggest that they send the players to the US that is a great place to learn,” said Zarak while talking to ‘The News’ during his short visit to Pakistan recently.
Zarak, who is a coach at the Seattle Athletic Club in Seattle, US, added that he was willing to train a group of Pakistani players at his club so that they could perform better in the PSA World Championship 2015 in Bellevue, Seattle, in November this year.
“I am there to fully help PSF if they send a group of players for training and playing events in US. I would request them to send Fahim Gul as well, and we two can make players give exceptional performances in the World Championship,” said Zarak.
Zarak, the gold medallist of 1998 Asian Games, added that PSF should review its decision of basing two top players of the country, Nasir Iqbal and Farhan Zaman, in England for playing events to improve their rankings. “England has less squash activity now and there is limited availability of squash courts there,” he said.
“The world’s best players have moved to the US which has literally become the squash hub. Our players are talented; the only thing they need is international exposure and the US is the best place for them. PSF should base a number of players in the US; it will help in coming years,” Zarak added.
He said that Pakistani players should take benefit of Fahim Gul who was a very good coach. “My son Shahjahan Khan improved a lot after getting training from Fahim. Other players of the country should take benefit of him,” said Zarak.
He said it was sad that PSF abolished the national coach’s slot because there was a need to have a national squash coach.
He requested the officials of PSF to include his son Shahjahan in the national team for World Championship because he deserved it. “Shahjahan has refused to play for the US and represents Pakistan in international circuit. He is to break in top-60 next month. So he deserves a place in the national squad for World Championship,” said Zarak.
He said Pakistan squash needed transformation. “We have the best players, good coaches, and a proper infrastructure but our system is not good enough. There is player power and lack of discipline,” he added.
He said he worked as the national coach for a very short period and did not survive due to internal politics. “I had to leave the country and it has now become a trend for players to leave Pakistan and settle in the US. This is worrisome and requires immediate attention of our authorities,” said Zarak.
He lamented that Balochistan government never acknowledged his services. “We four brothers gave huge recognition to Balochistan through squash. But the authorities never supported us. You won’t find a single picture of any of us even in the squash complex at Ayub Stadium in Quetta. That is the height of injustice,” he said.
He said that he did not get Pride of Performance Award. “I am happy that Amir Atlas Khan received it, but I deserve one as well. They should treat players equally,” said Zarak, whose brothers Zubair was once World No 9 and Hidayatullah World No 4.