Jansher hits out at lethargic young-guns

Saeed Ahmed May 11, 2010 5

Jansher hits out at lethargic young-guns

PESHAWAR: Squash wizard Jansher Khan, who had been eight times World Champion and six times British Open Titles’ holder, gave out that lack of players’ fitness undermined the strenuous and galloping efforts of Pakistan Squash Federation.

Responding to a query he said that he can name many players in the pipeline who can become a world champion while added that he himself got the honor when he was 17.

“Once, I named both Aamir Atlas and Farhan to have potential and can reach in the top 10 in rankings but they are failed because of their inefficiency for hard working and commitment towards squash,” Jansher added.

He said the current players were reluctant to have physical training and only interested in game practice for an hour or two which is not sufficient for an individual to become world championship.

While talking to journalists he said that he was born in June 15, 1969 in village Nawey Kaley that is famous for producing seven World Championships.

Former World No. 1 professional squash player of Pakistan, who is widely considered to be one of the greatest squash players of all time, said that there is no dearth of talent in Pakistan but due to lack of professionalism, commitment and poor physical fitness, none of the players reach that prime and the country badly needed to keep up name in the world of squash.

Jansher Khan, who won World Open a record eight times, and the British Open six times in his career, said that the players are also lacking lust for the victory. “They (the players) do not imagine what the world champion is and what sort of efforts one should need to achieve that glory,” outspoken Jansher while replaying to a query said.

He came from a family of outstanding squash players. His brother Mohibullah Khan was one of the world’s leading professional squash players in the 1970s. Another older brother, Atlas Khan, was a highly-rated amateur competitor.

Jansher won the World Junior Squash Championship title in 1986. He also turned professional that year. “I don’t know why the players reluctant to play in the senior category and happy to keep themselves in junior,” Jansher questioned.

There are 23 plus age players playing in the junior category, he added. It is harmful for them to be over aged and playing in the junior category, he said. In a question he said, he is fully satisfied the way Pakistan Squash Federation is providing facilities to the players despite their poor performance internationally.

He said during their time when Jahangir and he with players like Qamar Zaman, Mohibullah, Gogi Aliuddin etc, they don’t had the facilities like these players have today and these players need to work hard and concentrate more on fitness rather than practice matches. The only reason of PSF failure of not producing world champion is that the players are reluctant for hard trainings.

Jansher said that in present circumstances the players do not need coach and rather a good trainer can produce more. He suggested PSF high-ups to have five to six trainers who will play with the players for at least four to five hours daily.

He thanked the President of Pakistan Squash Federation for accepting the suggestion and soon after the team arrival after participating in the team championship, trainers would be hired.