PSF to train squash players on scientific lines: Air Chief

ISLAMABAD—Pakistan Squash Federation would provide training based on scientific principles to the squash players to regain past glory in the game.
This was decided in the 34th Annual General Meeting of Pakistan Squash Federation(PSF) held here Saturday with Chief of the Air Staff and President PSF Air Chief Marshal Tanvir Mehmood Ahmed in the chair, said a press release of the federation.
The meeting discussed in detail the short term and term strategies to improve the standard of squash in Pakistan. The President PSF, while pointing out the short comings highlighted that besides meeting with coaches and the people associated with squash, he also had meetings with senior and junior players to acquaint himself with the root cause of the current level of the game. He said our players lack the will to win (Mental strength) and physical stamina. The most glaring cause is absence of scientific specialist training which is necessary for grooming of the players, he said. The Air Chief said that scientific approach should be adopted to improve the standard of the game in the country. The President PSF emphasized to pursue the following short term strategy whole heartedly:-
(a) Enhanced focus on developing mental and physical stamina of players by well monitored training by the best coaches. (b) Close monitoring, evaluation and development of selected juniors for further grooming. (c) Enhance the base of the squash players in the country. (d) Honest, fair and transparent selection across the board. (e) Launch a talent hunt for undiscovered players. The methodology would be to train extensively the “under focused” batch of players for a given time chart. A set of 5-6 specialist which include physical trainer, who possess the scientific knowledge for physical and body stamina, a sports dietitician, a court trainer, manager and coach, will train 1 or 2 players.
The close monitoring of these players will be carried out by these specialist persons on scientific basis and special emphasize will be given on debriefing on performance of players at the end of the game. While talking about the discipline, Air Chief said,” In sports we
must adopt intrinsic discipline which requires grooming of players through counseling, motivation and punishment should be only for correction purpose. While, taking long term strategy into consideration the PSF besides training of coaches, trainers and referees will leave no stone unturned in expanding the base of squash players through fresh induction at primary and secondary level.
While, commenting on the development of women squash the chief said,” At international level there is a vacuum and we have talent in the women side and I am optimistic that we will steer in the right direction.”
Award of PSF performance trophy: The performance of provincial squash associations and the affiliated members was assessed. Based upon the national/international tournaments hosted, prize money offered, training camps conducted and interaction with PSF, Punjab Squash Association got 1st position with 45 points and PAF was placed No 2 with 42 points.—Agencies