Wednesday, Dec 11, 2002
Wednesday, Dec 11, 2002 |
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Squash
By Our Special Correspondent
Jehangir Khan's career as a player was an extraordinary one and now having taken over as the President of the World Squash Federation, it is his intention to give the job his best shot. The genial Pakistani, who has been to India before, but visiting Chennai for the first time, was amazed at the facilities that had come up in the city for the ongoing World junior men's championship. He said this should give the sport a shot in the arm in the country. He is happy that there are good players in India and Malaysia other than Pakistan now. "I am sure more countries in Asia such as Bangladesh and Nepal will come up'', he said at a press conference on Tuesday. In his playing days his racket used to talk. And why not. With an incredible record of winning six world titles, 10 British open titles and an amazing unbeaten streak over 500 matches in a period of over five years, Khan was nothing short of a genius. And we are talking of a sport where fitness is the key to success not mere talent as he stressed while discussing the sacrifices he had made to keep his top position intact. "No I did not get into any match telling myself that I must win but play normally and play to potential and in keeping with all my preparations'', he said. But ask him how he prepares? "Rise at 5 a.m., run for 10 miles, sprint over 400 yards several times, work on the court with and then without the racket and then go for weight training'', he said of his near four to five hours daily regimen. "Only if you can reach the ball you can do what you want with the ball'' was his simple mantra for true fitness on court. It was back-breaking but success can come only through hardwork, he said of the advice his father, uncle, grandfather, would steadfastly put into his head. "That was the inspiration'', which he felt was missing now because the close-knit Khan clan had begun spreading out now and with it had come dilution of values. The reason, he said for Pakistan squash taking a down curve. "Things are looking up again thanks to the effort of the Government and the Federation to spread the net wide in our country and pick the best talent for intensive training. The results have begun to emerge'', he said. Jehangir Khan is enjoying his new role as the WSF chief. He admitted that administrative work was different from a playing career. "There I was on my own and now I work with a team''. Jehangir wants to activate all those inactive Federations among the 119 in the WSF umbrella by constant interaction. Also he is keen that junior development programme should be given all the importance. He said he was quite impressed with the latest winner, James Willstrop of England. "I also thought of the loser (Peter Barker) and remembered my loss in the 1978 junior world event. That inspired me to do better next time'', he said with a smile. Khan does not think it would be easy for squash to become an Olympic sport in the near future. "There are so many sporting events wanting to get recognised that way. But we will keep trying and we are working towards that goal'', he said.
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