The allegations suggest that the Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) cannot send a national delegation to the prestigious British Junior Open next year due to a lack of funding. Highlighting how the lack of investment in Pakistani sports will hurt the nation again.
The competition is still accepting registrations through November 10th, but PSF will not be providing any financial assistance to local players during that time. The regulatory organization is not against players funding their own participation, though.
Pakistan has an impressive record at the British Junior Open, having won 13 times in all divisions. Hamza Khan’s victory in the U-15 final in 2020 marked the country’s last victory.
Pakistan’s results in this year’s competition were not very encouraging, with Huzaifa Shahid and Muhammad Sohail Adnan placing fifth and sixth in the U-13 group and Muhammad Harmas Ali Raja placing fifth in the boys U-11 category.
Financially troubled sports federations in Pakistan have become the new normal during hard times for the entire nation. Almost all names outside of cricket feature in this, but this may be the lowest point yet failing to send even one player to compete.
The British Junior Open is the second largest squash event in the entire world after the World Junior Squash Championship. It is scheduled to take place from January 2 to January 6, 2025.
