Lack of squash academies in Karachi deplored

KARACHI: Acute shortage of squash academies in the biggest city of the country is the main reason behind the downfall of squash in Sindh.

Only one squash academy is being run in Karachi and there are no other private or public squash academies in the city.

“Only one academy, at National Coaching Centre, is working but that too has failed to give sufficient results since its inception years ago,” said a local coach.

He added that this academy too has been in crisis for a long time and this is the reason no player from Sindh is even among top 20 national players.

The coach added that this is a key reason behind the downfall of the game of squash in Karachi and sadly private sponsors are also reluctant to come forward to establish squash academies.

“This is one of the popular sports in Pakistan and we have produced great many legends but today the situation is very gloomy,” said the coach.

It is to be noted that private clubs do have squash courts and coaches for their members but there is no dedicated squash academy for people.

“An academy helps in the development of squash at grassroots level, particularly at the school level,” said Khalid Atlas, Pakistan’s first WSF Qualified Level-1 Coach and Level-1 Squash Tutor, while talking to ‘The News’.

He added that squash academies identify and nurture young talent.

Khalid said that in order to get quick fame some academies in Pakistan have hired a few ready-made players.

“This is a wrong strategy as these players can exhibit special talent for a short time but they can't give podium performances consistently at national or international level. These academies don’t have any back-up squad for the future,” said Khalid.

“Besides, we need qualified coordinators and coaches fully equipped with modern teaching style to develop players' long term potential.”