PSF adopts standard age testing procedure for juniors

KARACHI: Pakistan has adopted a standardised age testing British procedure for junior squash players in a bid to regain its lost glory.

It has been learnt that Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) recently conducted bone tests of 47 junior players at the radiology department of Army Medical College to categorise players according to their real ages.

“British qualified doctors have conducted these tests and this is a standard now for all junior players wishing to represent Pakistan at national and international level,” said an official of PSF while taking to 'The News'.

The official added that these tests were conducted under strict procedures to standardise the junior circuit.

It is worth adding here that back in 2005 Pakistan players won three out of four titles at BJO: in the under-19, under-15, and under-13 categories.

“We want to repeat this history. In fact, we want to do better. And for that we have to have strong procedures in place to streamline our junior programmes,” said the official.

He said though Pakistani players have not been performing well at BJO in the recent years, their performance in the last two editions was encouraging.

The official said that in the 2018 edition of BJO three Pakistani players were semifinalists and in 2019 three players reached the semifinals despite having a contingent of just nine players.

“Since then the corona pandemic has been really affecting our training and preparations for top events,” said the official.

"Now we have just started training our players and 16 junior players have been singled out for better show at international level.

“Hamza, who won under-15 title at BJO in 2020 was stuck in the USA but he is coming back now. We will hold trials in all junior categories for all international events,” said the official.

He added that three months’ training would be enough for the players before participation in World Juniors and BJO.

He added that PSF was hosting four international satellite events in Islamabad these days and those junior players who had good prospects were given chances in these events.