‘BSA not helping squash’

KARACHI: Senior Vice President General Moosa Squash Complex, Balochistan, Mohammad Ali Batur has claimed that the provincial squash association was responsible for the downfall of the game in the province as it has failed to hold any national-level event since 2008.
“Balochistan Squash Association (BSA) is the main reason behind the decline of squash in the province as its officials don’t support players and simply don’t take any interest in holding events. They have not organised any national-level event since 2008,” he added.
Batur, who is also deputy director environment at sports department in Baluchistan, was talking to this scribe during his short visit as the manager of Balochistan squash team that secured bronze medal at the recent PSB Inter-Provincial Squash Championship for under-17 boys at NED University in Karachi.
He added that whatever squash activity was happening in Balochistan was due to Balochistan Sports Board. “The provincial squash association always takes the shelter of poor security situation in the province for not holding squash activities but how then BSB organises its events,” asked Batur.
He said BSA did not communicate with them about squash events held in other parts of the country, which deprived players from taking part in those events. “We want to send our players to camps, events, but squash authorities of the country ask us to talk to BSA. This is really disappointing and discouraging situation for us and the players,” said Batur.
He said the officials of BSA should resign if they had nothing to offer to rescue squash in Balochistan.
Batur said they sent players on self-help basis to participate in Roshan Khan Junior Squash Championship in 2013.
“Our kids won bronze medal in this inter-provincial championship and this happened probably for the first time. They defeated Punjab in straight sets, which is a big achievement. This shows that if our kids are given chances they could surprise the opponents,” said Batur.
He said they organised three high-prized big events last year. “Now we are building three glass courts at General Moosa Squash Complex on our own. The complex was built in Hazara Housing Society in 1998. It has produced renowned players like Zarak Jehan Khan,” added Batur.
He said they had plans to develop Muzaffar Ali Lala squash academy at the complex with the financial help of the Hazara community. “We requested Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) to at least provide us with a coach who can give training to our players but one year has passed and nothing has been done in this regard,” said Batur.
“Our players also don’t get to play national events because our squash authorities don’t let them due to their low rankings. My question is how our players can be in top rankings if they don’t get to play. This is injustice with them. I request squash authorities to have mercy on our players and let them play, even in qualifying or pre-qualifying rounds,” said Batur.
He said it seemed that PSF was a weak institution. “We don’t have any interest in the politics of BSA and PSF. All we want is playing opportunities for our players. Our players cannot do anything if they don’t get playing opportunities,” said Batur, adding that he would go to any forum to help squash in Balochistan.
When contacted, President BSA Sher Ali Kakar said these allegations did not hold water because security was the biggest issue in the province. “Last year we organised FC Squash Championship carrying prize purse of Rs300,000. And this year too we are holding one big event. Recently we spent millions of rupees to repair our courts,” said Kakar.
He added that BSA could only facilitate players and this was being done despite heavy odds against the game of squash. “Batur is not supposed to talk to politicise squash in Balochistan. They support a parallel squash body in Balochistan. And they don’t let others play in their squash complex,” said Kakar.