Squash players have a national academy, at last

KARACHI: The project of a national squash academy of Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) which was to be launched in January 2013 has finally materialised and is being inaugurated by the PSF president on Thursday (today).
The academy is adjacent to Mushaf Squash Complex, Islamabad, and has been named Pakistan National Squash Academy.
“The academy is for top senior and junior players of the country,” said PSF secretary Amir Nawaz while talking to ‘The News’.
“The facilities here include gymnasium, conference hall, courts, and accommodation,” he said.
He added that initially 10 players were being inducted in the academy, but this number could go up to 14.
“Fahim Gul is to look after this academy while a psychologist, trainers, and other necessary staff will be taken from Pakistan Air Force (PAF).
“The visiting faculty includes Akhtar Nawaz Ganjera, Dr Waqar and other prominent personalities of different sports,” he added.
Amir said they would invite foreign coaches like Mohammad Yasin, Yawar, and a few from Hong Kong and Egypt so that the players could get training on modern lines.
“Foreign players will also be invited to the academy and matches will be arranged between them and our players,” said Amir.
He said that for the first time PSF had given a six-month central contract to six top players. “Nasir Iqbal and Farhan Zaman will be given Rs35,000 per month; Tayyab Aslam and Danish Atlas Khan will get Rs25,000 a month; and Asim Khan and Israr Ahmed are to be given Rs20,000 a month,” added Amir.
The contract, he added, was initially for six months, but it would be extended after analysing the performance of the players.
“The players of the academy will get many chances to play international events and will get great benefits from this academy,” added Amir.
Earlier, Fahim Gul told this correspondent that the key features of the academy were “sophisticated lodging, quality education, world class equipment, and a bio-mechanic laboratory to conduct tests of the players in order to know what kind of training they need.”