Pakistan Still Without Foreign Coach Despite PSF 'Essential Requirement' Pronouncement By Waqar Hamza Februrary 2, 2019
Pakistan squash is apparently not
going to have a foreign coach as nothing has been done in this regard
by Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) since July last.
PSF in its executive committee’s meeting in July 2018 decided that
hiring of a foreign coach is an “essential requirement” for Pakistan
National Squash Academy (PNSA).
And PSF’s Senior Vice President requested to squash legend Jahangir
Khan to help the federation in engaging a suitable coach for the
required training at the academy.
Jahangir assured him that he would try to arrange a qualified foreign coach and would forward his recommendation to PSF shortly.
But six months have passed and Pakistan squash did not get a foreign coach.
Hiring a suitable coach for Pakistani players at senior level has
always been an issue for PSF due to heavy influence of some squash
families in the national circuit, which is now weakening though.
Few years back PSF replaced Jamshed Gul with Fahim Gul, which is the
only qualified coach in Pakistan currently. But he too got fired after
sometime, and now Mo Yasin with the help of few assistant coaches is
tackling this difficult responsibility of coaching.
The appointment of Mo Yasin attracted criticism from squash circles of
the country for him not being suitable for this job by dint of his old
age.
Like in the past, Mo Yasin has so far failed to produce desired results. Yet he is there enjoying the status of national coach.
“Our squash needs foreign coach as he can handle the pressure and power
of certain families enjoying in the game of squash here,” said
Secretary Sindh Squash Association (SSA) Mohammad Amir Khan.
He added that PSF should take this task seriously despite budget
constraints as even Malaysia has advertised for hiring a foreign coach
now.
“We don’t have any player in top-50 PSA rankings. This is a grave
situation. Our players need special attention and training,” said Amir.
He said all high-prize international events held in Pakistan in 2018 were won by foreign players.
PSF organized $30,000 Pakistan COAS International in September, $20,000
DHA Cup in November, $50,000 Pakistan Open and $20,000 13th CNS
Championship in December.
