Sadia urges PSF to provide separate coach for female players
Pakistan’s youngest national squash female champion Sadia Gul demanded Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) to arrange a full-time coach for female players to help them achieve their set goals.
Pakistan’s youngest national squash female champion Sadia Gul demanded Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) to arrange a full-time coach for female players to help them achieve their set goals.
Talking to The Nation, Bannu-born Sadia Gul, 17, said: “I have started playing squash in 2009. I was the very first in my family to play squash and it was only possible due to unconditional support of my father Sher Khitab and my brothers, who supported me and remained at my side wherever I travelled in Pakistan and my father never refused to help me arrange funds for participation in the PSA events. I am lucky enough to have such a supportive family.”
Sadia said that in this country, it was almost impossible for females to afford hefty expenditures required to play abroad and earn much-needed PSA ranking points. “Not all of us can afford hefty expenditures except a few girls, who have strong family background and get all support from their own pockets. Despite having talent and exceptional skills, majority of girls are not able to play at international stage.”
“I know presently the PSF is doing a remarkable job and helping both male and females players in the best possible fashion, but we need more. Male players have the luxury of playing in $25,000, $15,000 and $10,000 events in Pakistan, while on the other hand, female players don’t even get $5000 events. I am highly grateful to Bahria Town for organising the $15,000 international event for females. It was a great learning experience for all the female players of the country,” she added.
Sadia also urged the PSF to arrange maximum number of national ranking events. “If holding the high prize-money events is not possible for the federation, then at least it should conduct the $5000 events for females which will certainly help them earn international ranking points.
“Had I provided with international exposure, I could have easily won at least silver medal in individual event in 12th South Asian Games in India. It is still quite heartening that I managed to win bronze medal in singles and silver medal in the team event for Pakistan. It was a very tough test of my abilities, as I was playing against world number 13 home favorite Joshana Chinapa. Despite facing a very tough opponent, I played really well and lost after giving her a tough fight,” she added.
Sadia said she had now focused on helping the country perform well in the Asian Senior Team Championship in Chinese Taipei, commencing from May 11. “I finished top in the recently-concluded trials conducted by the PSF at Mushaf Mir Squash Complex, where I beat the likes of Sammer Anjum, Rushna Mehboob, Saima Shoukat and was 2-0 up against Riffat Khan, when I twisted my ankle and had to retire. I still top the trials and now I along with Sammer and Riffat earned the right to represent the country alongside Maria Toorpaki, who was given exemption from trials by the federation.”
To a query regarding realistic chances of Pakistan female team in the Asian Seniors, Sadia replied: “We have quite bright chances, especially with the presence of Maria has further strengthened our position. Although some of the top teams like India, Malaysia, Hong Kong and others will be in action and beating them will be a tough task, yet if provided with tough training under top coach, we stand bright chances of upsetting any given opponent on our day.”
She said: “I joined SNGPL in 2014 and my department has been lending a helping hand to me and bearing my expenses of the PSA events alongside my family, but it is by no means enough as compare to males who get big sponsors. If sponsors lend helping hand to the PSF as well as female players, it is my promise we will not let them down and give our more than 100 percent to help the country earn laurels at international level. I had played for Pakistan in a number of events and earned a lot of national ranking titles which filled my drawing room with medals, trophies, shields and souvenirs.”
“I have always dreamt of winning world title for my beloved country and it can only be possible if I play at international level more frequently, as limited opportunities can’t help me fulfill my ambitions. It is time when private sponsors should join hands with the PSF to help every player fulfill their dreams, it will indeed help the country in the longer run.”
(Source: The Nation)
Talking to The Nation, Bannu-born Sadia Gul, 17, said: “I have started playing squash in 2009. I was the very first in my family to play squash and it was only possible due to unconditional support of my father Sher Khitab and my brothers, who supported me and remained at my side wherever I travelled in Pakistan and my father never refused to help me arrange funds for participation in the PSA events. I am lucky enough to have such a supportive family.”
Sadia said that in this country, it was almost impossible for females to afford hefty expenditures required to play abroad and earn much-needed PSA ranking points. “Not all of us can afford hefty expenditures except a few girls, who have strong family background and get all support from their own pockets. Despite having talent and exceptional skills, majority of girls are not able to play at international stage.”
“I know presently the PSF is doing a remarkable job and helping both male and females players in the best possible fashion, but we need more. Male players have the luxury of playing in $25,000, $15,000 and $10,000 events in Pakistan, while on the other hand, female players don’t even get $5000 events. I am highly grateful to Bahria Town for organising the $15,000 international event for females. It was a great learning experience for all the female players of the country,” she added.
Sadia also urged the PSF to arrange maximum number of national ranking events. “If holding the high prize-money events is not possible for the federation, then at least it should conduct the $5000 events for females which will certainly help them earn international ranking points.
“Had I provided with international exposure, I could have easily won at least silver medal in individual event in 12th South Asian Games in India. It is still quite heartening that I managed to win bronze medal in singles and silver medal in the team event for Pakistan. It was a very tough test of my abilities, as I was playing against world number 13 home favorite Joshana Chinapa. Despite facing a very tough opponent, I played really well and lost after giving her a tough fight,” she added.
Sadia said she had now focused on helping the country perform well in the Asian Senior Team Championship in Chinese Taipei, commencing from May 11. “I finished top in the recently-concluded trials conducted by the PSF at Mushaf Mir Squash Complex, where I beat the likes of Sammer Anjum, Rushna Mehboob, Saima Shoukat and was 2-0 up against Riffat Khan, when I twisted my ankle and had to retire. I still top the trials and now I along with Sammer and Riffat earned the right to represent the country alongside Maria Toorpaki, who was given exemption from trials by the federation.”
To a query regarding realistic chances of Pakistan female team in the Asian Seniors, Sadia replied: “We have quite bright chances, especially with the presence of Maria has further strengthened our position. Although some of the top teams like India, Malaysia, Hong Kong and others will be in action and beating them will be a tough task, yet if provided with tough training under top coach, we stand bright chances of upsetting any given opponent on our day.”
She said: “I joined SNGPL in 2014 and my department has been lending a helping hand to me and bearing my expenses of the PSA events alongside my family, but it is by no means enough as compare to males who get big sponsors. If sponsors lend helping hand to the PSF as well as female players, it is my promise we will not let them down and give our more than 100 percent to help the country earn laurels at international level. I had played for Pakistan in a number of events and earned a lot of national ranking titles which filled my drawing room with medals, trophies, shields and souvenirs.”
“I have always dreamt of winning world title for my beloved country and it can only be possible if I play at international level more frequently, as limited opportunities can’t help me fulfill my ambitions. It is time when private sponsors should join hands with the PSF to help every player fulfill their dreams, it will indeed help the country in the longer run.”
(Source: The Nation)
