PSF annual general meeting held at Islamabad, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Chief of the Air Staff awards cash prizes to squash players for winning Asian squash team championship

PSF annual general meeting held at Islamabad, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Chief of the Air Staff awards cash prizes to squash players for winning Asian squash team championship

 

 By.Asghar Ali Mubarak

Islamabad-The Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, who is also President Pakistan Squash Federation, awarded cash prizes to Pakistan squash team on winning Gold Medal during Asian Squash Team Championship, held at Chinese Taipei in May, 2016. The President PSF highly commended the performance of Gold Medalist national team in the Asian Squash Team Championship. Pakistan squash contingent comprising Farhan Zaman, Farhan Mehboob, Tayyab Aslam and Israr Ahmad participated in the championship along with Fahim Gul and Group Captain Amir Nawaz as Coach and Manager respectively. In the initial pool matches, Pakistan team defeated Singapore and Sri Lanka; whereas, in the Quarterfinals, Pakistan beat Iraq. Subsequently in Semifinals, Pakistan team had a tough competition against India. However, after about 03 hours match, Pakistan defeated India with a game score of 2-1 and proved their worth to qualify for the finals. On 15 May, 2016 Pakistan team played the finals against Hong Kong and won Gold Medal in the prestigious Championship. The President PSF reiterated the commitment of PSF to support the top squash players. He however, urged the players to work hard to bring more laurels for the country. Mean while the Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Chief of the Air Staff, Pakistan Air Force, who is also President Pakistan Squash Federation presided over the  43^rd Annual General Meeting of PSF at Air Headquarters, Islamabad today. Representatives of provincial squash associations, affiliated members and Pakistan Sports Board were also present during the meeting.Elections of Vice Presidents were held during the meeting.  The General Council unanimously elected Mr Qamar Zaman and Mr Tahir Khanzada as Vice Presidents of PSF for the next 04 years tenure.Addressing the general council members, President PSF thanked them for their participation and offered whole hearted support of PAF as well as PSF for the promotion of Squash. While reviewing PSF activities during the year 2015, President PSF showed his satisfaction over the hectic efforts being put in for the revival of international squash in Pakistan, development of academies and some outstanding performances by the Pakistani players such as Gold and Silver medals during Asian and World level competitions. The successful conduct of Pakistan–Egypt Squash Series at PAF Museum, recent victory of Pakistan team during Asian Team Championship, 2016 and holding of 04 major PSA tournaments of US$ 25,000 prize money each with international players participation, planned during the 2nd half of year 2016, was also lauded by the general council.The President PSF however desired that there is still a need of collective efforts by the Provincial squash associations and other members of PSF to expand the game. He urged the players to focus on the game and further improve their physical and mental strength. Besides assuring financial and administrative support by Pakistan Air Force, the President PSF asked the member associations to generate further resources to meet the challenging task through an improved system. The President PSF directed the member associations to promote squash at grassroot level and increase the number of players. He also desired to introduce the game at Schools/Colleges and extract talent to further groom at national and international levels.The performance evaluation of provincial association for the year 2015 was also carried out by the general council. The KP Squash Association was awarded Winner’s Trophy for Pride of Performance; whereas, Punjab Squash Association stood runners up.  President PSF presented trophies to the Reps of provincial associations.It was also agreed that the PSF would continue to sponsor men and women players in international team events for which their selection would be done through transparent trials and performance.  Moreover, in PSA events performance based sponsorship would also be given. The PSF meeting concluded with the hope to revive Pakistan’s ascendancy in the international arena of Squash.