No international junior squash event in Pakistan since 2013

KARACHI: Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) has not held any international junior event in the country since 2013.

The last international event held for juniors was 5th Roshan Khan Junior Open in 2013. The event was registered with World Squash Federation. It was an Asian Squash Federation’s Super Series event. Former world champion Jansher Khan has termed it the main reason behind the decline of Pakistan squash.

In a statement recently, he suggested to the Prime Minister to hold international junior events in the country to revive the game of squash. Jansher said according to his experience the only way to improve the game of squash in the country was to hold international tournaments for juniors.

The organiser of the last international junior event also feels bad about this situation. Amir Khan while talking to ‘The News’ said the squash authorities are solely focusing on seniors. “This is the reason they are not organising international events for junior. Some international junior events were converted into events for seniors,” said Amir.

For example, he added, the DG Rangers Junior International event and Roshan Khan Junior Open were converted into international events for seniors.

Amir said that now juniors are left to play only national level events where lack of competition is not helping them prepare for competitive squash at international level. Last year Pakistan hosted 19 PSA events but there was not a single event for juniors.