Sports Bulletin

International squash tournament, Tayyab Aslam clinches the title By Abdul Jabbar Faisal  ISLAMABAD (December 19, 2019):-Pakistan number one and World No 60, Tayyab Aslam clinched the title of International Squash Tournament after beating compatriot World No 91 Farhan Mehboob in straight games 3-0 in the final at Mushaf Squash Complex on Thursday. The final score-line was 11-8, 13-11, 11-4. In the first game, Tayyab took good start after played powerful forehands shots and make the score 5-1. However, Farhan came from behind and displayed a quality game and leveled the game 5-5 after earning back-to-back four points. The game was once again leveled at 8-8, which finished 11-8 in the favour of Tayyab, as he got three points in a row. Later on, in the second game, winner was a head at 7-0 with massive lead but Farhan did some well and played excellent stokes and classic drop shorts and squared the game 8-8 points. At this stage, it was seemed that Farhan would won the second game to level the match 1-1 but all predictions went wrong, when Pakistan number one Tayyab won the game on tiebreak at 13-11. After losing first two vital games, Farhan was looking bit tired and was looking upset with the last game decision of match referee. Tayyab took full advantage of this situation and did not allow his opponent to settle his feet in the court and ended the third game by conceding just four points in the final fight. The match wasted 40 minutes, as the final score-line was 11-8, 13-11 and 11-4. Earlier, at the same venue, in Women’s final, World No 52 Sabrina Sobhy from United States of America (USA) beat World No 101 Hana Moataz from Egypt in straight games 3-0 with a game score of 11-7, 11-9, 11-9. The match lasted for 30 minutes.   Vice Chief of Air Staff Air Marshal Asim Zaheer graced the closing ceremony as chief guest and awarded the prizes and trophies amongst the winners. Champion Tayyab Aslam collected the prize money of US$2531 along with a glittering and beautiful trophy. CEO Serena Hotels Aziz Bolani, squash legend Qamar Zaman, dignitaries and a large number of players, officials and squash enthusiasts also attended the closing ceremony.  Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) organized Serena Hotels-Huawei Pakistan International Squash Tournament for men’s and women’s from December 15 to 19, 2019. Besides Pakistan, a large number of international Men & Women squash players from Austria, Egypt, Germany, Hong Kong, Jordon, Malaysia, Portugal, Switzerland and USA participated.  

International squash events build the soft image of Pakistan, Tahir Sultan By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD:-(December 19, 2019):-Secretary, Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF), Tahir Sultan thanked Professional Squash Association (PSA) for awarding a $20,000 prize money tournament to Pakistan, which would help local players to show their game skills at home. He also thanked on the behalf of SVP, PSF for giving massive coverage to international squash show peace at Mushaf Squash Complex. “I thank to media on the behalf of senior vice President because without media coverage these events have no worth. We conducted the events to give opportunity to players to play here and for people who can come here to enjoy these events, “he said while talking to 23 News at Mushaf Squash Complex. He said that the most important aspect of these events was image building of Pakistan. “These events are being telecast all over the world. Players of the different countries like, America, England, France, Germany, Switzerland, Australia, Egypt, Portugal, Hong Kong, China, Malaysia and all over the world are participating. Eight men players and our 13 women players were from the Pakistan. International fixtures show that players of the other countries want to play in Pakistan and Pakistan is a safe country by the blessings of Allah Almighty, “Tahir Sultan viewed.  “PSF is providing all opportunities to upcoming players for national and international exposure. The squash development program is going good. An Under-19 player Gul Zaman is a brilliant player, he has a great upset and his ranking is going to be improve more and he has also beat the champion of this games. We are happy with his performance and it shows that if the opportunities have been given to our players then they can perform better than this, “He added.  To a question, he said that Pakistan Sports Board (PSB) supported well during the international events for men and women. “Sareena Hotels is always sponsoring us for the events, all players’ stays there. Akbar Durani and Director General PSB, Amna Imran helped us well. Definitely, we are being supported but financial support is much important as well. All facilities of PSB and government also wants that sports should be flourished in Pakistan .Our players have won the medals in South Asian Games 2019. Federation is providing all these facilities, now it is players’ job to work for the improvement of their fitness and game skills, “he concluded.

By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (December 18, 2019):-Tayyab Aslam and Farhan Mehboob set to meet in the Men’s Singles final of Serena Hotels-Huawei Pakistan International squash tournament after claiming upset victories in the semifinals at Mushaf Squash Complex on Wednesday. Final will be played on Thursday at same venue. President, Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) Air Chief Marshall, Mujahid Anwar will grace the closing ceremony as chief gust. On Tuesday, in the first semifinal, Farhan Mehboob thrashed top seeded Egyptian players Youssef Ibrahim 3-2 in a well contested match. Local outfit Farhan gave a tough time to his overseas opponent in first two games that he lost at 9-11 and 14-16 and he came from behind and recover the deficit by winning the next two at 11-2 and 11-5 to bounce back in the match. Final game went neck-to-neck and score was leveled at 5-5, 7-7 and then 10-10. On tiebreak Farhan, who had massive support of Pakistani spectators, finished the game at 12-10. Match lasted 50 minutes. Meanwhile, in the second semifinal, World No 60 Tayyab Aslam (Pakistan) outclassed World No 51 Mohamed El-Sherbini (Egypt) 3-1 to move into final of the international showpiece. The final score-line was 11-6, 9-11, 11-9, 11-9, as the match lasted for 46 minutes. Tayyab Aslam will meet compatriot Farhan Mehboob in the final on Thursday at same venue. Earlier, in the 1st semifinal of the women’s fixture, World No 101 Hana Moataz (Egypt) got rid of compatriot girl World No 56 Farida Mohamed (Egypt) 3-2 in most thrilling match of event. Hana went up by winning first two games at 11-7 and 11-2 but her challenger Farida Mohamed settled her feet on the court and clinched next two games at 11-9 and 11-3. However, in the decisive game, both players displayed great skills of game. At one stage, Farida was leading 5-0 but couple of miss judgment decisions of match referee Sajjad Ahmed provided a chance to Hana to go in the final fixture. Score was squared at 7-7 and 9-9. Hana won the final game at 14-12, as people were criticizing the final decision of Sajjad Ahmed. Farida Mohamed was sobbing and crying outside the court and was talking over her mobile to her family member. But she did not make any comment on this issue. In the second semifinal, World No 52 Sabrina Sobhy (USA) beat World No 58 Meena Hamed (Egypt) in straight games 3-0. The final score-line was 11-6, 11-9, 11-6, as the match lasted for 23 minutes. Final will be played on Thursday.   Results (Men’s semifinals): Farhan Mehboob (Pakistan) beat Youssef Ibrahim (Egypt) 8-11, 14-16, 11-2, 11-5, 12-10 (50 minutes) Tayyab Aslam (Pakistan) beat Mohamed ElSherbini (Egypt) 11-6, 9-11, 11-9, 11-9 (46 minutes) Results (Women’s semifinals): Hana Moataz (Egypt) beat Farida Mohamed (Egypt) 11-7, 11-2, 9-11, 3-11, 14-12 (36 minutes) Sabrina Sobhy (USA) beat Meena Hamed (Egypt) 11-6, 11-9, 11-6 (23 minutes).   

International squash, Tayyab and Farhan jump into semifinals By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (December 17, 2019):-Duo of Pakistani players Tayyab Aslam and Farhan Mehboob jumped into the semifinals of Serena Hotels-Huawei Pakistan International squash tournament by overcoming their respective opponents in quarterfinals at Mushaf Squash Complex on Tuesday. Semifinals will be played on Wednesday in the four-glass-wall court of same arena. In the first men’s quarterfinal, Pakistani guy Asim Khan succumbed by the high ranking Egyptian player Youssef Ibrahim 3-1 after a thrilling contest. Match was leveled 1-1 after two games, as the score was 13-11 and 11-13 respectively. Asim was looking bit tired in the rest of two games and allow his opponent to play strokes openly. He lost next two games at 5-11 and 9-11, as he had upper hand in both game in starting. Meanwhile, in the second quarterfinal, Farhan Mehboob displayed excellent skills of the game and did not allow his compatriot Farhan Zaman to settle the feet in the court and won the match 3-1. Son of Mehboob Khan’s game was a blend of powerful forehands, backhands and classic nicks during 20 minutes game. The final score-line was 11-2, 4-11, 11-5 and 11-3. Now, Farhan will take on top seed Youssef in the semifinals on Wednesday. In the third quarterfinal, Pakistan number one player Tayyab Aslam overcame Yahya Elnawasany from Egypt in straight games 3-0 in just wasting 20 minutes in the court. Mohammad El-Sherbini beat Rui Soares from Portugal in same style 3-0 in the fourth quarterfinal. In the second semifinal Tayyab will meet Mohammad El-Sherbini.    Results (Men’s Event):-  YoussefIbrahim (Egypt) beat Mohammad Asim Khan (Pakistan) 13-11, 11-13, 11-5, 11-9 (44 Min) Farhan Mehboob (Pakistan) beat FarhanZaman (Pakistan) 11-2, 4-11, 11-5, 11-3 (20 Min)  Tayyab Aslam (Pakistan) beat Yahya Elnawasany (Egypt) 11-2, 11-8, 11-3 (20 Min) Mohamed ElSherbini (Egypt)beat Rui Soares (Portugal) 11-7, 11-9, 11-7 (34 Min) Results (Women’s Event):         HanaMoataz (Egypt) beat Farah Momen (Egypt) 11-7, 11-8, 11-7 (25 Min) Farida Mohamed(Egypt) beat Waen Li Lai (Malaysia) 11-6, 10-12, 7-11, 15-13, 11-8 (40 Min) Meena Hamed (Egypt) beat Cindy Merlo (Switzerland) 11-8, 11-7, 8-11, 11-9 (32 Min)  Sabrina Sobhy (USA) beat Nadia Pfister (Switzerland) 11-4, 11-7, 11-2 (16 Min).  

International Squash, Four Pakistani move into quarterfinals By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (December 16, 2019):-Four Pakistani players including Tayyab Aslam, Mohammad Asim Khan, Farhan Zaman and Farhan Mehboob qualified for the top-eight stage of the Serena Hotels-Huawei Pakistan International Squash Tournament by beating their opponents at Mushaf Squash Complex, Islamabad on Monday. Quarterfinals of the international squash showpiece will be played on Tuesday at same venue. Pakistan number one squash lad, Tayyab Aslam defeated his compatriot Noor Zaman in straight games after wasting just 25 minutes in the court. The final score-line was 11-8, 13-11, 11-5. Earlier, local guy Mohammad Asim Khan beat English players Curtis Malik in similar style in straight games with the score-line 11-5, 11-7, 11-9, as the match lasted only 36 minutes. Meanwhile, Farhan Mehboob got rid of Pakistani players Amaad Fareed 3-2 in a well contested five games fixture. After 40 minutes play, Farhan finished the match with the score-line of 7-11, 11-5, 5-11, 11-7, 11-5. Later on, Farhan Zaman had to toil hard to overcome Egyptian opponent Mazen Gamal 3-2, as the last game ended on tiebreak. The final score-line was 11-13, 11-9, 3-11, 11-2, 12-10. Match wasted 56 minutes. Results (Men’s Event): Youssef Ibrahim (Egypt) beat Chi Him Wong (Hong Kong) 9-11, 6-11, 11-3, 11-5, 11-4 (41 Min) Mohammad Asim Khan (Pakistan) beat Curtis Malik (England) 11-5, 11-7, 11-9 (36 Min) Farhan Mehboob (Pakistan) beat Amaad Fareed (Pakistan) 7-11, 11-5, 5-11, 11-7, 11-5 (40 Min) Farhan Zaman (Pakistan) beat Mazen Gamal (Egypt) 11-13, 11-9, 3-11, 11-2, 12-10 (56 Min) Tayyab Aslam (Pakistan) beat Noor Zaman (Pakistan) 11-8, 13-11, 11-5 (25 Min) Yahya Elnawasany (Egypt) beat Tsz Kwan Lau (Hong Kong) 12-10,    11-8, 8-11, 11-7 (25 Min) Rui Soares (Portugal) beat Yannik Omlor (Germany) 12-10, 11-8, 11-8 (37 Min) Mohamed El-Sherbini (Egypt) beat Tang Ming Hong (Hong Kong) 11-7, 11-6, 11-7 (26 Min). Results (Women’s Event): Hana Moataz (Egypt) beat Tsz-Wing Tong (Hong Kong) 11-9, 6-11, 7-11, 11-5, 11-7   (35 Min) Farah Momen (Egypt) beat Shahd El Refaey (Egypt) 11-9, 10-12, 11-8, 11-4 (33 Min) Waen Li Lai (Malaysia) beat Moqaddas Ashraf (Pakistan) 11-3, 11-7, 11-7 (17 Min) Farida Mohamed (Egypt) beat Saima Shaukat (Pakistan) 11-9, 11-2, 11-4 (13 Min) Meena Hamed (Egypt) beat Faiza Zafar (Pakistan) 11-7, 11-9, 11-2 (17 Min) Cindy Merlo (Switzerland) beat Anam Mustafa Aziz (Pakistan) 11-1, 11-3, 11-2 (16 Min) Nadia Pfister (Switzerland) beat Amna Fayyaz (Pakistan) 11-4, 11-5, 8-11, 7-11, 11-5 (33 Min) Sabrina Sobhy (USA) beat Madina Zafar (Pakistan) 11-9, 11-4, 11-1 (20 Min). 

Championships kick off at Mushaf Squash Complex By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (December 15, 2015):- The Serena Hotels-Huawei Pakistan International Squash Tournaments for Men and Women have commenced on Sunday here at Mushaf Squash Complex, as the top seeded male players got bye in the starting round of the international squash showpiece. The both finals will be played on December 19, 2019 in four-wall-glass court at same courts. A large number of international male and female squash players from Austria, Egypt, Germany, Hong Kong, Jordon, Malaysia, Portugal, Switzerland and United States of America (USA) are showing their game skill in the five-day international fixture. In Men event, World No 43 Youssef Ibrahim from Egypt is No 1 seed while World No 51 Muhammad El-Sherbini also from Egypt is No 2 seed. Whereas in Women event, World No 48 Tsz-Wing Tong from Hong Kong is No 1 seed and World No 52 Sabrina Sobhy form USA is No 2 seed. Akbar Durrani, Secretary Ministry of Inter Provincial Coordination (IPC) graced the opening ceremony as chief guest. Senior Vice President, Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) Air vice Marshal Aamir Masood also visited Mushaf Squash Complex and witnessed the matches.  SVP, PSF also had detailed interaction with Pakistani and overseas players, who are taking part in the international squash cahmpionships. Results (Men Event): Youssef Ibrahim from Egypt Got Bye Chi Him Wong from Hong Kong beat Israr Ahmad from Pakistan 9-11, 11-1, 11-8 and 11-6 (32 Min) Curtis Malik from England beat Mohammad Alsaraj from Jordon 11-8, 12-14, 11-5, 13-15, 11-6 (52 Min) Asim Khan from Pakistan Got Bye Farhan Mehboob from Pakistan Got Bye Amaad Fareed from Pakistan beat Darren Rahul Pragasam from Malaysia 11-2, 8-11,   11-1, 11-8 (32 Min) Farhan Zaman from Pakistan beat Zeeshan Zeb (WC) from Pakistan 11-5, 12-10, 11-9 (26 Min) Mazen Gamal from Egypt Got Bye Tayyab Aslam from Pakistan Got Bye Noor Zaman (WC) from Pakistan beat Ahmed Hosny from Egypt 11-9, 5-11, 11-5, 11-4 (30 Min) Yahya Elnawasany from Egypt beat Aqeel Rehman from Austria 9-11, 11-3, 11-8, 9-11, 11-3 (35 Min) Tsz Kwan Lau from Hong Kong Got Bye Rui Soares from Portugal Got Bye Yannik Omlor from Germany beat Khaled Labib from Egypt 11-9, 8-11, 11-7, 11-7 (60 Min) Tang Ming Hong from Hong Kong beat Ong Sai Hung from Malaysia 4-11, 11-5, 9-11, 11-8, 11-3 (44 Min) Mohamed ElSherbini from Egypt Got Bye.   Results (Women’s Event):- Tsz-Wing Tong from Hong Kong Got Bye Hana Moataz from Egypt beat Maira Hussain from Pakistan 11-1, 11-5, 11-1 (14 Min) Shahd El Refaey from Egypt beat Rushna Mehboob from Pakistan 11-8, 11-7, 11-4 (13 Min) Farah Momen from Egypt Got Bye Waen Li Lai from Malaysia Got Bye Moqaddas Ashraf from Pakistan beat Nimra Aqeel from Pakistan 11-3, 11-5, 11-2 (13 Min) Saima Shaukat from Pakistan beat Komal Khan from Pakistan 11-8, 1-11, 11-7, 11-8 (24 Min) Farida Mohamed from Egypt Got Bye Meena Hamed from Egypt Got Bye Faiza Zafar from Pakistan beat Zynab Khan (WC) from Pakistan 11-4, 11-6, 11-7 (12 Min) Anam Mustafa Aziz from Pakistan beat Noorena Shams from Pakistan 11-2, 11-1, 11-0 (7 Min) Cindy Merlo from Switzerland Got Bye Nadia Pfister from Switzerland Got Bye Amna Fayyaz from Pakistan beat Ilsa Imran (WC) from Pakistan 11-9, 11-2, 11-4 (14 Min) Madina Zafar from Pakistan beat Noor ul Huda from Pakistan 11-4, 7-11, 11-2, 11-6 (26 Min) Sabrina Sobhy from USA Got Bye.    

  Serena Hotels Huawei International Squash Championship 2019 Youseef Ibrahim from Egypt and Tsz Wing Tong from Hong Kong are top seeded players By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD (December 10, 2019):-Youseef Ibrahim from Egypt and Tsz Wing Tong from Hong Kong are top seeded players in men’s and women’s categories respectively of the Serena Hotels Huawei International Squash Championship 2019, which will be kicked off from December 15, at Mushaf Squash Complex, said Secretary Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) Tahir Sultan in a media briefing at a local hotel on Tuesday. Top national guy Tayyab Aslam occupied third seed of the international fixture. “Besides, hosts Pakistan, the players from Egypt, Hong Kong, United Kingdom, Iran, Malaysia, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Jordon and Austria will participate in the forthcoming Serena Hotels Huawei International Squash Championship 2019 which will be held from December 15 to 19, 2019 at Mushaf Squash Complex, “he added. “The championships are pursuing prize money of $20K for Men and $12K for Women. This International event will provide a platform to local and foreign PSA international players to compete for winning the trophies. The event will also be a wonderful opportunity for squash lovers in Pakistan to see world class players in thrilling action. Top ranking Pakistani players will also be competing in the event to bring laurels for country, “he concluded.

Serena Hotels Huawei International Squash Championship 2019, starts from December 15 By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD:-Besides, hosts Pakistan, the players from Egypt, Hong Kong, United Kingdom, United States of America (USA), Malaysia, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Jordon and Austria will participate in the forthcoming Serena Hotels Huawei International Squash Championship 2019 which will be kicked off from December 15, here at Mushaf Squash Complex. According to an official of Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF), Serena Hotels Huawei International Squash Championship for Men and Women will be concluded on December 19, 2019 at same venue Mushaf Squash Complex. The championships are pursuing prize money of $20K for Men and $12K for Women. This International event will provide a platform to local and foreign PSA international players to compete for winning the trophies. The event will also be a wonderful opportunity for squash lovers in Pakistan to see world class players in thrilling action. Top ranking Pakistani players will also be competing in the event to bring laurels for country.  Top 50 world ranking players (Youssef Ibrahim of Egypt & Tsz-Wing Tong of Hong Kong) are the top seeded man & woman players for the both events. Apart from Pakistani players, Squash lovers would be able to witness thrilling matches of some of the great foreign players from Egypt, Hong Kong, UK, USA, Malaysia, Germany, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, Jordon and Austria.

PSA waives off security fee for next two international squash fixture By Abdul Jabbar Faisal ISLAMABAD:-Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Professional Squash Association (PSA) Alex Gough has waived off the security fee of Pakistan for next upcoming two international squash fixture, which would be held at Islamabad respectively in December 2019 and January 2020. According to media department of Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF), this decision was meeting in the meeting of CEO, PSA Alex Gough and Senior Vice President (SVP) Aamir Masood, who visited Cap Town to attend the meeting of World Squash Federation (WSF). The WSF Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) of World Squash Federation (WSF) was held at Cape Town, South Africa on 05–06 Nov,19. WSF President Mr Jacques Fontaine presided over and delegates from 24 member nations of WSF attended the meeting. CEO PSA Alex Gough was also present during the meeting. Aamir Masood, Senior Vice President PSF represented Pakistan in the meeting. Matters related to development of the game throughout the world were discussed in the meeting detail.     Aamir Masood, in addition to WSF AGM, also had a meeting with Alex Gough, CEO Professional Squash Association (PSA) and discussed allocation of international tournaments to Pakistan for Men and Women with foreign players’ participation and without charging any security fee.  SVP, PSF briefed CEO PSA about the improved security situation in Pakistan.  After detailed deliberations, Alex Gough waived off security fee for the upcoming PSA tournaments in December, 2019 (Pakistan International Tournament for Men & Women at Islamabad) followed by Pakistan Open at Karachi in January, 2020.  He further emphasized CEO PSA for not charging any further security fee for Pakistani events to which Alex Gough assured that PSA Board would review the decision for future, as well.  It is expected that this decision by PSA would help PSF in bringing more sponsors for hosting more international tournaments in Pakistan in future.   SVP also had a detailed meeting with WSF President Jacques regarding allocation of World Junior Championship 2022 to Pakistan and briefed him about Pakistan's peaceful state for the past many years. He also requested Jacques to promote Pakistan so that more international junior championships must be conducted here. Jacques assured his support and showed his appreciation for Pakistan's appetite for international squash. SVP also had quite successful meetings with heads of Federations of various countries for mutual exchange of squash programs as a way forward to formulate an effective strategy for progression of squash in Pakistan. He congratulated Pakistan squash lovers for more good news in future.