By;Asghar Ali Mubarak
Islamabad—At last Pakistan is hosting   its first high-level  the Chief of Air Staff (CAS) International Squash Championship a PSA World Tour squash competition since 2008 when the 2014. Players from Egypt, Wales, Austria, UAE, Qatar, Jordan , Kuwait Pakistan are  participating in the Championship . The championship main  round will start Oct 20-23.Pakistan is the that country which gave birth to legends like  Jansher Khan , Jahangir Khan, Qamar Zaman.Zarak Jahan Khan,Mir Zaman Gull,Qayyum Faheem Gull Faheem Gull Jamshad Gull,Zubair Jahan Khan,Sihail Qaiser etc Pakistan has had a long-standing relationship with squash but hasn’t staged an event open to international players since 2008, having last held a World Series event in 2006.Egypt’s Omar Abdel Meguid is the  the top seed for the Chief of Air Staff (CAS) $25,000 International Squash Championship. How ever Pakistan No 1 squash player Nasir Iqbal is also  quite confident about local players’ chances in the $25,000 Chief of Air Staff (CAS) International Squash Championship 2014. Pakistan’s Nasir Iqbal is seeded second, followed by Farhan Zaman and Danish Atlas as third and fourth-seeded players respectively. Defending champion Aamir Atlas Khan is the eighth seed and will be looking for a successful defense of the title which he won back in 2008 against Farhan Mehboob, who is unseeded this time around. We will try to win glory for the country,” Nasir said in an interview, he further stated that  “We have bright chances of winning the s event, having the advantage of playing at home courts. and in front  the home  crowd. “We have the likes of Farhan Zaman, Aamir Atlas, Danish and above all experienced Farhan Mehboob, who was given the wild card by the PSF. Another upcoming rising star Shahjahan Khan (Pakistan)
Who is the son of famous Asian game champion Zarak Jahan Khan hoped that he will improved his WSA ranking in this event. Quetta born  Shahjahan Khan is currently among the top 100 and under the guides and coaching his father Zarak Jahan Khan promised to get top 10 position in near future, Talking to The Daily Mail , Shahjahan Khan  said as  other Pakistani  players i will try my best efforts to perform well. I will try to come up to the expectations of my Pakistanis squash lover.””I always play for the honor of the country which has given me name and fame” he added. However at last the Professional Squash Association (PSA) have agreed to the staging of the 2014 Pakistan International Squash Tournament in a move that is certain to help stimulate the sport’s popularity within the nation.The PSA CEO Alex Gough said that “We’re pleased to see high level squash returning to Pakistan and hope that this year’s tournament can help re-ignite the country’s passion for the sport”.”Pakistan has a long and successful association with the sport of squash, having produced multiple world class players, and with a strong crop of youngsters beginning to make their mark on the PSA World Tour at present, the 2014 Pakistan International will help to inspire future generations.”  said PSA CEO 
Alex Gough Pakistan Squash Federation secretary Group Captain Amir Nawaz said: “The PSF is highly grateful to the PSA for understanding the dire need for international Squash to return to Pakistan.”This decision provides an opportunity for regional players to rub shoulders and test their skills against some of the world’s top players in Pakistan, a country with a rich history in the game of Squash.”We are hopeful that with such positive support from International bodies, the game of squash will flourish further both at the domestic and international level.” PSF secretary Group Captain Amir Nawaz talking to media said that Pakistan is safe for of sports events.”“Negative warning regarding traveling to Pakistan was issued, but now things are changed. I still believe things were quite perfect in 2007 as far as security was concerned, but the PSA had other ideas. Now we are looking forward to host not only this event but also other attractive events too. The day is not far when we will be conducting Pakistan Open once again with $150,000 prize money on offer,” he believed.“I want to say a big thanks to Serena Hotels for lending a helping hand to the federation at a time of dire need. I am also very thankful to PSF president Air Chief Marshal Tahir Rafique Butt to remain instrumental in helping the federation in time of need. I would also like to thank SVP Razi Nawab and Qamar Zaman, who presented Pakistan case very strongly and managed to convince the PSA to allocate this event,” PSF secretary Group Captain Amir Nawaz added.“We have made internationally renowned Faheem Gul as head of the tournament, while he would be assisted by four international and eight local referees. It was quite unfortunate till 2007, as we were regularly hosting $25,000 international events and international players participated wholeheartedly, but due to uncertain security situation, the PSA froze international players’ participation and reduced the prize money from $25,000 to $10,000 with international players were barred from taking part in it
The Chief of Air Staff (CAS) International Squash Championship in collaboration with Serena Hotels-Civil Aviation Authority (CAA)start at Mushaf Ali Mir Squash Complex “We are also grateful to the CAA, who also helped out the federation and became co-sponsors. We have made excellent security arrangements and let me assure all, we will leave no stone UN turned and ensure everything will run smoothly. We want to ensure all the guests that they will enjoy hospitality and take memories to cherish with them. The successful conduct of the event will open floodgates and help revive international sports here,” he added. PSF secretary Group Captain Amir Nawaz said that : “The local players have bright chances of winning the title. We have provided best available facilities to our players and I am quite confident they are more than capable of lifting the crystal trophy.”Mean while the General Manager Serena Hotels Michel G Galpin said: “When the PSF comes up with the proposal of joining hands in the championship, we immediately decided to on board, as we strongly believe sports have no boundaries. We have also help in conducting polo and golf events in the past and looking forward to expand our partnership to other sports as well.”
Former member of Pakistan winner world team ,Zarak Jahan Khan praised the role of  Serna Hotels for coming forward and termed their role as a step in the right direction. “It will give squash a new lease of life. I hoped  others to come forward and join hands with PSF to take this noble cause of reviving Pakistan squash.” ,Zarak Jahan Khan added .The Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) has been making tireless efforts to ensure that foreign players participate in Pakistan in order to obtain higher prize money tournaments than the usual $10,000 ones. After this event the Pakistani players will participate in the 11 Countries 2nd Lagos International Squash Classics. The number of the teams continues to swell as 10 countries including host – Nigeria have been listed for the second Lagos International Squash Classics. England will lead the foreign legion to the six-day tournament holding at the Molade Okoya-Thomas Hall of Teslim Balogun Stadium in Lagos from November 3 to 8.Top squash playing nations like Egypt, South Africa, Wales, Jordan, Pakistan, France, Slovakia, Switzerland and Netherlands will also compete for honors at the Professional Squash Association (PSA) and Women Squash Association (WSA) sanctioned $40,000 prize money tournament.