ISLAMABAD: Former Legend Jansher Khan believes Pakistan cannot regain lost glory in squash at international level until and unless players improve their physical fitness and training.

Talking to APP, Jansher, who had won the World Open a record eight times, said proper planning is needed if Pakistan wants to regain its lost glory.

“Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF), President, Air Chief Marshal Sohail Aman is doing all-out efforts for the promotion of squash in the country and is providing the best facilities to squash players,” he said.

Jansher, who had won the British Open six times, said the kind of facilities players are being provided by PSF, they (players) should have been playing like Jahangir Khan and Qamar Zaman at international level. “At our times we were lacking these facilities but still we ruled the world in squash,” he said.

He said we used to practice whole day in squash courts. “Our current players need to focus on their physical fitness and must put their heart into the game in order to produce good results,” he said.

Jansher said these days where the internet and smart phones have some advantage it also have some disadvantages as well. “Our youth is getting spoiled through the excessive usage of internet and smart phones,” he said and added instead of playing in grounds our youth is sitting at home using internet and smart phones.

He said in order to attract youth towards squash, international squash tournaments must be held in other cities as well besides Karachi and Lahore.

Responding to a question, he said squash academies must be formed in the country. “PSF must provide education and accommodation in these academies so that the player can practice the whole year in the academy,” he said. —APP