UAE Squash Association and Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) have signed an agreement, which is likely to give the game in Pakistan a lifeline similar to that of cricket. “The agreement will prove a mile stone as it will simultaneously promote the game of squash in UAE while serving as the ‘home’ base for Pakistan until international action returns to the country,” Abbas Khan, a Pakistani coach who works in UAE told at meet the press programme of Sports Writers Association of Punjab (SWAP) on Tuesday at national hockey stadium. Also present at the event was Idris Haider Khawaja, Secretary, Punjab Olympic Association.
Abbas, a former world number fourteen, said the agreement was signed by President, UAE Squash Association, Abdul Aziz Al Bannai and Senior Vice President, PSF, Razi Nawab in Dubai recently.
“It is a very useful agreement which will support Pakistan squash the way cricket is being supported in UAE. Pakistan now regularly hosts its ‘home series’ in UAE and squash officials have realized the benefits of this arrangement. UAE will now also become the second home for Pakistan squash,” he said.
“This agreement will help bring in foreign players to PSF event as they are reluctant about touring Pakistan due to security concerns.” Abbas said the aim of partnership was to lend support to Pakistan squash and to create an opportunity for squash players from Pakistan and UAE to improve the level of their play by playing against each other frequently. Abbas, the winner of Dublin Open, French Open and Monaco Open said the UAE Squash Association will facilitate the PSF in certain areas only and will not provide any financial assistance or sponsorship for the tournaments.
“PSF itself should explore sponsorships avenues and we will be there to provide playing and technical facilities besides helping them in issuance of visas and accommodation at cheaper rates,” he said.
According to him, there would be no restrictions on the PSF on the number of events it wanted to host as long as it secured the sponsors.
The UAE national coach said the agreement will be valid for two years starting from January 2012 ending in 2014.
“Squash is dying down in the world because of a lack of resources and there is dire need to join hands to revive this sport. We firmly believe that this venture between UAE and PSF will help Pakistan in achieving its lost glory.”