PSA quashes security fee for its next 2 events in Pakistan.

Byline: Mohsin Ali

ISLAMABAD -- Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) Senior Vice President Air Vice Marshal Aamir Masood has said that he has very fruitful meetings with PSA CEO Alex Gough and WSF President Jacque Fontaine, where the PSA has quashed security fee for its next two events allocated to Pakistan in Islamabad and Karachi.

Talking to The Nation from Cape Town on Wednesday, Aamir said: 'I have clarified to Alex that the PSF is working hard for the promotion of squash and helping the WSF and the PSA in hosting more and more events. Pakistan is completely safe for all kinds of sporting activities. I am a polo player and more than 30 international polo players are participating in polo events in Pakistan.

'Alex has agreed to allow Pakistan to host $20,000 event for males in Islamabad and $13,000 event for ladies in December. The $50,000 Pakistan Open will be held in Karachi in January next year while a ladies tournament will also be held at the same time in Karachi. Squash legend Jahangir Khan will host both the events in Karachi. Alex has also promised to send security team during February next year, which will arrive to access the PSL-5 security,' he added.

The PSF senior vice president hopes that PSA CEO Alex will help the PSF in getting more PSA tournaments next year. 'The WSF President was also full of praise for the efforts and contributions of the PSF and he also promised his all-out support to us. I also had great meetings with the presidents of Malaysian Squash Federation as well as Egyptian Squash Federation. We had discussed signing MoUs for future exchange programmes, as it will help our players, officials, referees and coaches a lot.

'We are taking every possible step to ensure our players get back into top PSA rankings. We will provide them every facility, best coaches and PSA tournaments at home and abroad, and it is their duty to respond well. We don't expect them to win overnight, but at least they must show improvement,' he asserted.

Aamir said he had also met with the representatives of Turkish and Kuwait Squash Associations, who want Pakistan's help in promoting squash in their regions. 'We will send our players, coaches and referees to both...