Waqar Clinches Pakistan National Jr. Squash C'ship Title
'Pakistan Times' Sports Desk

PESHAWAR: Waqar Mehboob of PAF clinched the title of the Hashim Khan National Junior Squash Championship title by defeating Farzan Rasheed of Punjab in the thrilling final played here at PAF Hashim Khan Squash Complex on Wednesday.

The NWFP Chief Minister Muhammad Akram Khan Durrani, who was the chief guest on this occasion, also witnessed the final match.

Senior Vice President of the Pakistan Squash Federation Air Vice Marshal Inamullah Khan, Air Officer Commanding, Northern Air Command Air Vice Marshal M. Ikramullah Bhatti, former World Champion Qamar Zaman, World No. 2 Mohibullah Khan and large number of game enthusiasts were also present.

Both Waqar Mehboob and Farzan Rasheed gave each other a tough fight in the thrilling battle lasted for 77 minutes. During the final some cracking nick and backhands drives were also witnessed.

Waqar took the first set by 10-9 before leveling it at 7-7, 8-8 and 9-9 as Farzan was always remained in the lead. The left-hand Farzan got the lead of 2-5 and 3-7 but Waqar settle down and tied the tally at 7-7 with his excellent game.

Farzan also utilized Waqas's erratic display. Waqar hits the tin five times in the first set against three times hit by Farzan Rasheed. At nine-all, Waqar called it set-II and thus won the set in 12 minutes.

In the second set Waqar also secured victory by 9-7. He hits the tin four times against Farzan Rasheed three times. The set was tied at 4-4, 5-5, 6-6, 7-7 and Waqar won by 9-7. Farzan worked hard in the third set and won it by 8-10. He got the lead right in the start of 3-7 points and even reached to 3-8 but Waqar raced up to tie the tally 8-8 and thus in the set-II, Farzan won it by 8-10 in the 32 minutes battle. Waqar Mehboob struggle hard in the fourth sets by winning it 10-8, the set was tied at 3-3, 4-4, 5-5, 6-6, 7-7, and 8-8. Waqar took it by 10-8. The set was lasted for 16 minutes. Fahim Gul, Munawar Zaman, Fakhar Zaman, Fazal Shah, Asghar, Perviaz Ali and Asim acted as referees.

In the other event, Muhammad Tayyab of Punjab beat Iqtidar Khan of PAF by 3-0 in the 20 minutes and won the Under-11 trophy, followed by Bilal Zakir who defeated Ali Bokhari in 40 minutes battle. The score was 8-10, 3-9, 9-0 and 9-7 and got the trophy of Under-13.

Danish Atlas won the Under-15 title by upsetting top seed Aurangzeb by 3-0, the scorer 10-8, 9-4, 6-9, 1-9, 9-3. The match lasted for 72 minutes while Farhan Zaman grabbed the title of the Under-17 category by defeating Sheikh Saqib by 5-9, 5-9, 9-2, 9-4, 9-1 as the final lasted for 36 minutes.

At the end, the NWFP Chief Minister Muhammad Akram Khan Durrani gave away trophies, cash prizes to the winners and runners-up players. He also announced Rs. 100, 000/- cash for the players.

Jansher to train Aamir

According to another report, Former world champion Jansher Khan Wednesday decided to coach Aamir Atlas Khan and guide the youngster to top-10 ranking in the world. "I will train young squash players for international events on my own and I have chosen Aamir Atlas Khan to start this training programme", he said in a press statement.

Jansher said Pakistan didn't have a dearth of squash talent which only needed sincere efforts to be explored and polished.

"Pakistan ruled the squash world for 32 long years. But now there is no Pakistan player even in the top 30 of the world" he said, adding that part of the fault lay with PSF.

Jansher Khan said PSF policies were devoid of professionalism."This also compelled star players of the past to delink themselves with this game", he said.

"Legendary squash player Jahangir Khan dissociated himself from the federation's affairs because his proposals for improving the standard of squash in the country were not implemented", he said.●