Legendary Jansher Terms Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi As Sports Lover

Eight times World Champion and six times British Open Champion living legend Jansher Khan termed Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as sports lover and urged upon him to take special initiative for the promotion of sports in the country

PESHAWAR, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Aug, 2017 ) : Eight times World Champion and six times British Open Champion living legend Jansher Khan termed Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi as sports lover and urged upon him to take special initiative for the promotion of sports in the country.

"It is the time to think over the down fall of sports and announce steps for revamping old and frustrated strategies so that to bring Pakistan in a position again to attain lost glories for which it famous for," Jansher Khan told APP in an exclusive chat.

Congratulating Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to become Prime Minister of Pakistan, Jansher recalled that during 1997-1999 when he (Shahid Khaqan Abbasi) was Chairman PIA he announced special incentives for him and for the players of other games as well which clearly indicated his love toward sports, sportsmen and sportswomen.

"It was really historical occasion for me as I�m feeling like the kids when I recalled my memories back to 80s and 90s where Pakistan ruled the world of squash," a soft spoken Jansher Khan added.

There are lot of talent in sports like squash, hockey, cricket etc. reach to that height where we were in 60s, 70, 80s and 90s, Jansher Khan opined. "I missed my days of supremacy, hard work and playing tough squash not mostly I played for two hours in the court and one hour running are some of my routine on daily basis," Jansher said.

Squash wizard Jansher Khan said that lack of players' interest, fitness marred the overall efforts of Pakistan Squash Federating producing World Champion. When asked can he name any player in the pipeline who can become a world champion, Jansher said that he got the honor in the age of 17 and that is the best one to achieve such glory.

"Once I named both Aamir Altas and Farhan Mehboob to have potential and can reach in the top 10 but they are failed because of hard working and commitment toward squash,� Jansher added. He said the present players were reluctant to have physical training and only interested in game practice for an hour or two which is not sufficient for an individual to become World Champion.

Born in June 15, 1969 in village Nawey Kaley, famous for producing seven World Champions, Jansher Khan, who is widely considered to be one of the greatest squash player of all time, said that there is no dearth of talent in Pakistan but due to lack of professionalism, commitment and poor physical fitness none of the player, could reach that prime, the country badly needed to keep up name in the world of squash.

The players are also lacking lust for the victory, he said, adding that the players do not imagine what the world champion is and what sort of efforts one should be needed to achieve that glory,� Jansher said.

There are 23 plus age players playing in the junior category, he added. It is harmful for them to be over aged and playing in the junior category, he remarked. In a question he said, he is fully satisfied the way PSF is providing facilities to the players despite their poor performance internationally.

He said during their time when Jahangir and he with players like Qamar Zaman, Mohibullah, Gogi Aliuddin etc. there was no facilities like the players have today but they are not hard worker like they had.

The only reason of PSF failure of not producing world champion is that the players could not do their hard work. Jansher Khan said that Pakistan Air Force, Pakistan Army and Pakistan Navy have rendered matchless services for the promotion of sports and if a mechanism could be established by them at grassroots level in their supervision we can attain the status of the past glories.

He said lot of talent exiting in tribal areas but due to lack of infrastructure, the tribal youth could not reach to the main pool of talent in various games. He suggested equal opportunities for the female as well.

He said President PSF Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman, Chief of the Air Staff Pakistan Air Force is very keen in providing opportunities to the young players in squash. He said lack of commitment and hard work is the only reason that our player could not attain top international ranking.

Jansher Khan also congratulated the whole nation for the 70th Independence Day. He said due to matchless sacrifices rendered by the jawan of the security forces now normalcy has been restored to the country and hopefully international squash and other international sports events would come up to Pakistan.

He also requested Prime Minister Shahid Khaqan Abbasi to announce an international squash event in connection with the Independence Day celebration which could be organized every year in the month of August wherein international players would also be invited.