23-Apr-2012
GEOMETRY OF SQUASH
By
Aamir Bilal
Squash made its first bid to be included in Barcelona Olympics in 1992. The efforts continued in successive Olympics of Atlanta, Sydney and Beijing 2008. During this time there was no formal procedure for gaining admission to Olympics and the process of lobbying was occult in nature. With the appointment of Jacques Rogge as the president of IOC and WSF president N Ramachandran one can hope that squash would certainly feature in 2016 Olympics.
Come what may be the future of squash internationally, squash in Pakistan needs serious soul searching and broad based grass roots efforts to save the legacy of Khan’s dynasty.
No account of squash is complete without the amazing exploits of Hashim Khan, who won first of his seven British open titles at the age of 35 in 1951. Azam Khan, Roshan Khan, Mohibullah Khan, Qamar Zaman, Hiddy Jahan and the all time greats Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan who won his last world open in 1996.
Since 1996 standard of Pakistan squash had been at the continues decline. The game is now being played in 185 countries of the world in more than 50,000 squash courts with no gender discrimination. The game has gained immense popularity even amongst deaf and the 5th World Deaf Championship would take place in New-Zealand in 2010.
As per July 2009 PSA ranking the world men squash scene is lead by Karim Darwish age 27 years at the number one spot, followed by Gregory Gultier of France at No 2 and Ramy Astiour 21 year old sensation from Egypt at number three position. The squash world is currently dominated by players from Egypt, France, England and Australia. Pakistan’s Farhan Mehboob and Aamir Atlas Khan are at Number 18 & 19 respectively in the world ranking table.
This ranking should give Pakistan Squash Federation a sign of relief that no SAARC player (the ultimate litmus test of sport excellence in Pakistan) is ahead, giving us a moral boost to go for 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou China, where squash feature for the first time, giving Pakistan a hope for a virgin gold provided the high ranked Malaysians are kept at bay.
The problems of Pakistan squash are numerous and complex in nature starting from its management, administration, marketing, operations, talent hunting, coaching, training facilities, squash politics and variety of other issues. The complex geometry of squash needs precise mathematical solutions.
Setting aside all development issues of squash the single most important factor that impedes the development of squash in Pakistan is its narrow base of inputs in term of players.
Not taking any credit away from great Khans of Pakistan and Nawan-Killi the power production house of world champions, the answer to Pakistan’s falling standards in world squash lies in the history of squash itself.
The great game of squash was born out of tennis in early 19th century in the Fleet Prison of London where prisoners mainly debtors, took their exercise by hitting a ball against walls with rackets and so started the game of “Rackets”. The game progressed when picked by Harrow and other English Schools in 1820 and it was through English education system that squash became popular amongst the youth of England and British colonies.
The first recorded reference of squash other than Harrow School, appeared in 1890 in the English book, “The Badminton Library of Sports and Pastime” written by Duke of Beaufort. Eustace Miles, a world champion at both Tennis and Rackets wrote the first book on squash in 1901; stating that the sport was enjoyed by thousands of players in various parts of world and the squash courts in Schools and colleges of England were in abundance.
The historical records make it obvious that squash though born in jail was developed and promoted in England through educational institutions.
The claim of promoting squash through education institution is substantiated by the fact that World University squash championship would be held in Melbourne, Australia from 10th to 18th July 2010 followed by Men’s World Junior Championship in Ecuador in August 2010, so that potential young university squash players can be picked by respective federations to participate in World Junior Championship.
No doubt that Pakistan squash federation (PSF) has no jurisdiction over the education system of Pakistan, but to its good luck PSF affairs are managed by Pakistan Air Force and the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Rao Qamar Suleman is the president of Pakistan Squash Federation where as Air Vice Marshal Asim Suleiman a seasoned fighter pilot and a thorough professional is the Senior Vice President of this very Important sport federation.
PAF has an elaborate education system of its own, comprising of Air University, PAF Schools and Colleges in more than 15 locations of Pakistan. One wonders why PAF authorities have never thought of initiating a squash development program in its education system, which is under their own jurisdiction. Constructing a basic cemented squash court associated with each PAF School/College does not require heavy finances. It only requires some resolve a policy decision and a directive from Chief of the Air Staff to Deputy Chief of Air Staff Training and Administration for necessary execution.
If Pakistan wants to make its mark in the future of World Squash, than the authorities must think out of the box and take initiatives to broaden the squash base beyond Nawa-Killi.
Charity begins at home and strengthening the input of squash by promoting it in education institutions of PAF would pave way to sustainable squash development at grass roots and set precedence for other education institutions in the country to follow.
At present most of the squash courts in PAF premises are affiliated with officer’s mess only, thus denying the facility to major chunk of other ranks and civilians living in PAF bases and surrounding areas. Construction of basic squash courts with PAF schools and colleges would open up the facility for the students and less privileged segment of the area. Who knows that the future Jahangir or Janshair would emerge from these squash courts?
Such initiatives may prove to be a turning point in the promotion of squash in Pakistan. Followed by well thought sport education and coaching programs, PAF would be able to put its name in the annals of history not only as one of the best Air Force of the world but also as the saviors of squash in Pakistan.
Aamir Bilal
Qualified Coach IOC
10Aug 2010
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