Nasir off to USA aiming at improving PSA rankings
Pakistan’s top squash player Nasir Iqbal left for Chicago on Sunday night to participate in $150k Windy City Open from March 2-23.
Talking to The Nation before his departure, Nasir, who is currently on 35 in PSA rankings of 35, was highly determined to break into the top 20 rankings. “Yes I am playing in qualifying round, but keeping in mind my excellent run in the past two months, where I managed to win some titles including 12th South Asian Games Individual Squash title, I am highly confident that I would play the main round of the mega event. I would like to say a big thanks to great Jahangir Khan for his support and his tips that helped me great in India.” He was also grateful to his brother and coach Tahir Iqbal Khan, who is not accepting coaching offers in USA just because of him as he wants to remained focus on Nasir training and helping him to climb PSA rankings. He thanked Pakistan Squash Federation for their backing and support, without which he would not been able to reach new heights in PSA rankings.
When asked about his experience in SAG and how referring standard was and what about Indian crowd, Nasir said it was his very first appearance in the Gamers and crowd was obviously supporting local players. “I am quite surprised the way referees let Indian player Harander Pal Sindhu off the hook. He was pushing, shouting and using highly abusive language against referees. But instead of giving warning, they looked meagre spectators. Situation was pretty ok in the individual event, but in team event, Indians used every trick in their pocket to get favourable results.”
When asked about what was his feelings and mood while playing final against compatriot Farhan Zaman, Nasir said it was quite great feeling knowing that the Pakistani flag would be hosted in any case. “We played tough final and in the end I managed to win gold for Pakistan. I got injured in the team and finals and had requested teammates to give me rest and let Farhan and Danish play the matches, but they insisted on my inclusion. I had made them clear don’t expect too much from me as I was under tremendous pain. We badly missed coach in India especially in the team event, andwe had to manage all things. If coach was there, he could have helped us great deal in planning.”
“I request the PSF to let players free from fear about travelling, accommodation and other non-related issues. Arrange accommodation, travelling and incentives for players. It is my challenge, results would start to come beyond federations dreams. I expect PM Nawaz Sharif, IPC Minister Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada and DG PSB Dr Akhtar Nawaz Ganjera would announce hefty rewards for all the medal winners of SAG and they deserve more than set criteria of Rs 1 million as it was not easy to play in India and win gold or other medals in such hostile conditions.”
He said that after Chicago, he would travel to London to play in $70k Canary Wharf Classic and then the all-important $150k Allam British Open in Hull. “If I managed to play in at least main rounds of these three high-profile events, I would surely move into top 20 or beyond and it would help me a great deal in future events, as I would be able to play in high price money main rounds.” When asked about his injury, Nasir said he was quite well now and had attained full fitness.
When contacted Pakistan Squash Federation Honorary Secretary Group Captain Amir Nawaz, he said: “We would continue to support not only Nasir but all the players like past. We are providing the best facilities to players at National Squash Academy and I am highly satisfied with training of the players. I would go extra mile to help Nasir in bearing his expenses in USA and UK. Our players have great chance to improve their PSA rankings as four $25,000 events would be held this year from September to December in Islamabad, while $15,000 and $10,000 would also be held in different cities. I hope government would lend helping hand to federation in bearing huge expenditures required to conduct events and also private sector would step forward.”
(Source: The Nation)
When asked about his experience in SAG and how referring standard was and what about Indian crowd, Nasir said it was his very first appearance in the Gamers and crowd was obviously supporting local players. “I am quite surprised the way referees let Indian player Harander Pal Sindhu off the hook. He was pushing, shouting and using highly abusive language against referees. But instead of giving warning, they looked meagre spectators. Situation was pretty ok in the individual event, but in team event, Indians used every trick in their pocket to get favourable results.”
When asked about what was his feelings and mood while playing final against compatriot Farhan Zaman, Nasir said it was quite great feeling knowing that the Pakistani flag would be hosted in any case. “We played tough final and in the end I managed to win gold for Pakistan. I got injured in the team and finals and had requested teammates to give me rest and let Farhan and Danish play the matches, but they insisted on my inclusion. I had made them clear don’t expect too much from me as I was under tremendous pain. We badly missed coach in India especially in the team event, andwe had to manage all things. If coach was there, he could have helped us great deal in planning.”
“I request the PSF to let players free from fear about travelling, accommodation and other non-related issues. Arrange accommodation, travelling and incentives for players. It is my challenge, results would start to come beyond federations dreams. I expect PM Nawaz Sharif, IPC Minister Mian Riaz Hussain Pirzada and DG PSB Dr Akhtar Nawaz Ganjera would announce hefty rewards for all the medal winners of SAG and they deserve more than set criteria of Rs 1 million as it was not easy to play in India and win gold or other medals in such hostile conditions.”
He said that after Chicago, he would travel to London to play in $70k Canary Wharf Classic and then the all-important $150k Allam British Open in Hull. “If I managed to play in at least main rounds of these three high-profile events, I would surely move into top 20 or beyond and it would help me a great deal in future events, as I would be able to play in high price money main rounds.” When asked about his injury, Nasir said he was quite well now and had attained full fitness.
When contacted Pakistan Squash Federation Honorary Secretary Group Captain Amir Nawaz, he said: “We would continue to support not only Nasir but all the players like past. We are providing the best facilities to players at National Squash Academy and I am highly satisfied with training of the players. I would go extra mile to help Nasir in bearing his expenses in USA and UK. Our players have great chance to improve their PSA rankings as four $25,000 events would be held this year from September to December in Islamabad, while $15,000 and $10,000 would also be held in different cities. I hope government would lend helping hand to federation in bearing huge expenditures required to conduct events and also private sector would step forward.”
(Source: The Nation)
