Calls for Immediate Restoration of Squash Courts and Appointment of Permanent Coach, Says National Training Camps Once Defined Abbottabad’s Sporting Legacy
ABBOTTABAD
Former Senior Director of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sports Directorate and former Acting Director General Sports, Tariq Mahmood, has said that Abbottabad’s pleasant climate has historically played a vital role in the promotion of sports and the international success of Pakistani athletes. He stressed that the city’s weather closely resembles the conditions found in many European countries, making it an ideal destination for training camps ahead of major international competitions.
Tariq Mahmood, who also serves as President of the Abbottabad Squash Association, said that Abbottabad was once regarded as one of Pakistan’s premier high-performance training centres. National teams in squash, cricket, hockey, football, volleyball and several other sports regularly held pre-event training camps in the city, enabling athletes to prepare under ideal weather conditions before representing Pakistan on the international stage.
He noted that these training camps consistently produced encouraging results, with Pakistani athletes delivering outstanding performances in prestigious international events. According to him, Abbottabad’s favourable climate significantly contributed to improving players’ physical fitness, endurance and overall performance.
Expressing concern over the deteriorating state of Abbottabad’s state-of-the-art squash courts, Tariq Mahmood said the facility, which once hosted major national and provincial championships, has fallen into disrepair due to years of inadequate maintenance. He revealed that he had repeatedly drawn the attention of the Pakistan Squash Federation to the urgent need for restoration, but no practical measures have yet been taken.
He said the poor condition of the squash courts has almost brought national and provincial tournaments in Abbottabad to a halt, depriving local players of valuable competitive opportunities and hindering the development of emerging talent.
Tariq Mahmood urged national sports federations, provincial sports associations and the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sports Directorate to fully utilise Abbottabad’s natural environment and moderate climate for year-round training camps and sporting events. He maintained that regular camps in Abbottabad would further enhance the physical conditioning and technical preparation of Pakistan’s athletes, ultimately improving the country’s performance in international competitions.
He emphasised that sustainable progress in sports requires long-term planning, modern strategies and continuous investment in sports infrastructure. He added that developing sports is not merely about constructing new facilities but also about preserving, restoring and effectively utilising existing infrastructure.
Calling for immediate action, Tariq Mahmood appealed to the Pakistan Squash Federation to undertake the urgent restoration and maintenance of Abbottabad’s historic international-standard squash courts. He also urged the federation to appoint a permanent qualified coach at the facility to ensure uninterrupted training for local players, revive national and international squash competitions in Abbottabad, and provide young athletes with the opportunities they need to develop their talent and excel at the highest level.
