good news for pakistani squash!
The question is can he make an effective comeback or will he spoil his legendary reputation? Will it also provide a much needed flip to squash in Pakistan?
Former world champion Jansher Khan has announced that he is to come out of retirement at the age of 34 and return to the world tour. His decision comes hot on the heels of Jahangir Khan’s criticism of the Pakistani team in the recent Commonwealth Games in Manchester.
The Dawn newspaper reports from Lahore that Jansher hopes his planned return to the international circuit will help to guide Pakistan to recover its lost glory in the game.
Addressing a hurriedly called press conference at the Lahore Press Club, he said would compete initially in national tournaments and then participate in international events. “I shall participate in a national tournament going to be held in Karachi and I have also requested Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) to award me PSA membership and wild card entry in the Pakistan Naval Chief of Staff Squash Tournament scheduled to be held in Karachi from September 18,” Jansher said. He added that he has personally spoken to the PSF President Air Chief Marshall Mushaf Ali Mir, who welcomed his decision.
Jansher, who ruled the world of squash for ten years and played his last international tournament in 1999, expressed his disappointment over the dearth of quality squash players in the country who can challenge the supremacy of players like Peter Nicol, Jonathon Power and David Palmer in world squash. “I have decided to stage a come back after watching the performance of Pakistan players on international circuit and I feel that I can still compete at international level,” he claimed. However, the last tournament he completed was the 1998 British Open in Birmingham, when he lost in the final to Peter Nicol. Jansher said he had recovered 99 per cent from his knee injuries and was fit enough to play on international circuit even at the age of 34.
Jansher maintained that he had continued to train and exercise after quitting the game following surgery on both knees. He added: "I am quite fit and feel that I can sustain the hardships of this demanding game.” Jansher had announced the formation of his own squash academy a couple of months ago. He said that his academy programme will continue despite his return to international squash.
Jansher repeated his belief that he would find it easy to return to the top of the world game. He added: “After winning tournaments offering $20,000 to $25,000 in prize money I may get a ranking between 40 and 50. I used to be under pressure while playing against world No.2 or 3 players as I had to defend my title. But it’ll be easy to face any player now as I’ll not be under pressure. In fact my opponents will be under pressure while playing against me.”
[This message has been edited by ehsan (edited August 11, 2002).]
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Originally posted by ehsan:
..The question is can he make an effective comeback or will he spoil his legendary reputation? Will it also provide a much needed flip to squash in Pakistan?..
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This is an interesting question. The players he would be competeing against would be the same players that he played against a couple of years ago, before giving up due to injury.
The fact that he has beaten all these players while at his peak, would make it easier for him if he loses. This is because, people will know it's due to lack of fitness or the lack of top level competition that he is losing, and at his peak he would have beaten all these players.
Jansher is in a no lose situation. I am pleased he is coming back. Good luck to him.
thanks for the article ehsan bhai..this is a great news..atleast there is a glimmer of hope. It will be really interesting to see him play. no doubt he was the best..he was just unbeatable! lets hope he does that again..
Stupid move if you ask me... He is going to tarnish his glorious and legendary career!
Like what Michael Jordan did when he returned the second time?
I think JK is in a no lose situation, like someone already said