ISLAMABAD
\nFor the first time, Pakistan will be represented by its senior squash players at the 12th edition of the World Games to be held in Chengdu, China, with Nasir Iqbal and Noor Zaman set to compete in the championship.
\nThe duo, led by head coach Fahim Gul, marks Pakistan\u2019s inaugural participation in the squash event at these global championships.
\nThe Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) highlighted the significance of the World Games, describing it as a major international gathering of top athletes.
\n\u201cIt is an honour to have Pakistan\u2019s squash team participating in this mega event,\u201d stated a PSF press release. \u201cLet\u2019s wish our players the best of luck and show our support as they make their mark on the world stage.\u201d
\nThe men\u2019s singles squash competition begins Friday with 32 players competing.
\nThe World Games \u2014 which runs from Aug 7-17 \u2014 is a premier international multi-sport event for non-Olympic disciplines.
\nThis edition of the Games features 34 sports, 60 disciplines and 256 events with approximately 5,000 athletes from around 110 countries and regions competing.
\nInternational World Games Association (IWGA) president Jose Perurena Lopez declared Chengdu\u2019s preparations have exceeded all expectations, positioning the event to make history.
\n\u201cMy expectation two years ago was high, but I think it\u2019s covered all my expectation,\u201d Perurena told Chinese news agency Xinhua on Tuesday.
\n\u201cWe guarantee Chengdu will organise the best World Games in our life, because the quality of the venue, the quality of the volunteers, the quality of the organising committee are higher professional.\u201d
\nPerurena also underscored the World Games\u2019 role in promoting sports outside the Olympic program.
\n\u201cWe represent the sports that are recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) but are not in the Olympic Games. They need our Games to show they are ready.\u201d
\nPerurena also commented on the event\u2019s appeal: \u201cThe new generation likes the new sport. Integrated and different sports. This is the mentality of the new generation. And we support this idea,\u201d he said.
\n\u201cSome games might be niche but can be a really big sport in some parts of the globe. And I think this is the beauty and an opportunity to get to know what sports people are playing in different parts of the world.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
ISLAMABAD For the first time, Pakistan will be represented by its senior squash players at the 12th edition of the World Games to be held in Chengdu, China, with Nasir Iqbal and Noor Zaman set to compete in the championship. The duo, led by head coach Fahim Gul, marks Pakistan\u2019s inaugural participation in the squash […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":495596,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-495582","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports"},"yoast_head":"\n