Pakistan Deaf Squash Activities

1st Chief Minister Punjab Open Deaf Squash Championship was planned in Pakistan Deaf Squash Association’s previous meeting. After that, final date were settled at 14^th January 2010 and final will be held on 16^th January 2010 at Punjab Squash Complex. Old Club Road, Lahore at 04:00 PM PST. Now due to unavailability of Courts at Punjab Squash Complex. Tournament dates are rescheduled in February between 23rd February to 25 February 2010.

The Pakistan Deaf Squash Association management requests to Chief Minister Punjab Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif to be Chief Guest in final day. Due to his heavy political and duty schedule Chief Minister Secretariat has transfer theis request to Mr. Syed Zaeem Hussain Qadri (MPA PP-154, Lahore).


Mr. Syed Zaeem Hussain Qadri is additional Secretary of Pakistan Muslim League (N) and very active person of PML (N). He is elected as a member of Punjab constitutional Assembly from PP-154 Lahore.

This tournament again sponsored by Bank AlFalah Ltd. 32 Players from several districts has confirmed their entry in this tournament. It seems that deaf players are very keen to play in squash tournaments. Pakistan Deaf Squash Association is also planning to organize 1^st Governor Cup Deaf Open Squash Championships. Its planning is under process and will be final next few months.

1st Chief Minister Punjab Open Deaf Squash Championship will be played in Punjab Squash Complex, Old Club Road, Lahore. On the same venue Pakistan Deaf Squash Association already organized All Four National Deaf Squash Championships and 1st Lahore Deaf Squash Championships in past five years. Pakistan Deaf Squash Association is also planning to inaugurate this tournament through Mr. Sartaj Aziz Ex-Financial Minister of Pakistan’s Federal Cabinet in Nawaz Sharif’s Government. Mr. Sartaj Aziz is a senior parliamentarian and a very senior worker of Pakistan’s independence movement. He has also meet with Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah. He also received Pakistan Independence movement medal from Tehrik-e-Pakistan Workers Trust chaired by Mr. Majeed Nizami Chairman of Nawaiwaqt Group of Newspapers.

Wing Commander Irfan Asghar (Honorary Secretary of Pakistan Squash Federation is also invited in final day’s ceremony. It depends on his schedule to attend this gathering or not. In previous meeting with him he told to Mr. Muhammad Usman (Secretary Pakistan Deaf Squash Association) & Miss Komal Rafiq (Director Woman Deaf Squash Wing) that he will come to Lahore to watch deaf squash player’s performance. He also declared that he will provide support for selection of deaf squash team after 5^th National Deaf Squash Championships.

Wing Commander Irfan Asghar is newly appointed Honorary Secretary of Pakistan Squash Federation. He Takes charge from Wing Commander Shams-ul-Haq. At the time of Wing Commander Shams-ul-Haq Pakistan Deaf Squash Association get lots of support from Pakistan Squash Federation. In first meeting with Irfan Asghar, the first impression of Muhammad Usman (Secretary of PDSA) was "We have no more tension about our future".

Pakistan Deaf Squash Association also working for World Deaf Squash Championships 2010 New Zealand. At this time it’s the main goal to find a sponsor for World Deaf Squash Championships – 2010. At that moment Pakistan Deaf Squash Association has many sponsors but none of them accept to provide sponsorship for 2010 event. But it’s a hope that current sports authorities have fully interest for sports and they release funds for sports associations. It means that Pakistan Deaf Squash Association can find something positive for World Deaf Squash Championships.

Sports board Punjab also demanded some documents from Pakistan Deaf Squash Association. Documents have been submitted in sports board Punjab's office for further necessary actions.

Pakistan Deaf Squash Association is seems better then all other deaf sports associations. In late year Pakistan deaf cricket association has organized all Pakistan deaf T20 cricket championship and winning team receive a very low cash award which is 50 percent down then Pakistan Deaf Squash Association’s tournaments winners.

No doubt that Pakistan Deaf Squash Association has a really professional working team then all other deaf sports and welfare associations. First key person is Dr. Khalid Jamil Akhtar (President). Who is a very renowned personality in disabled people’s community. Dr. Khalid’s contribution with disabled peoples is highly appreciated for deaf and disabled community

Second key Person in Pakistan Deaf Squash Association is Muhammad Usman, who is working with Pakistan Deaf Squash Association as Secretary General. His main goal is to help Pakistan's deaf peoples. Before he attached with Lahore Deaf Cricket Association, during his period with LDCA he has organized number of tournaments and events for deaf peoples and school children. He organizes a cricket match on first time in Qaddafi Stadium, Lahore before his these activities there were no games in national level stadiums. After his effort deaf cricket comes under attention of Pakistan Cricket Board. Later that, Pakistan Cricket Board starts support for deaf cricket. In answer of his efforts Lt. General Tauqeer Zia (Ex-Chairman or PCB) donated Rs. 100,000/- when a national level deaf cricket tournament was organized in Sargodha.

In April – 2005, we have contact with Australian Deaf Squash Association for World Deaf Squash Championships – 2005 entry. They have forwarded our query to Mr. Dominic P.J Everett (Leader of English Deaf Squash Association) who is working as Technical Director for World Deaf Squash Association (later this Name changed to World Deaf Squash Inc.). Since then Pakistan Deaf Squash Association is active in squash. It’s the bad of luck that Pakistan Deaf Squash Association fails to enter in to World Deaf Squash Championship 2005 & 2007 editions. It’s because of Visa issues. On first occasion Australian embassy refused to grant visa to deaf squash team and later than south African embassy again refused to grant visa to deaf squash team.

AFFILIATION:

Pakistan Deaf Squash Association is affiliate with Pakistan Squash Federation. We are working under guidelines and suggestions of Pakistan Squash Federation’s secretary which issued time to time from Pakistan Squash Federation’s Secretary. Pakistan Deaf Squash Association is also affiliate with World Deaf Squash Inc. an affiliate organization of World Squash Federation.

EVENTS IN CREDIT:

Since its establishment, Pakistan Deaf Squash Association has organized several tournaments for deaf squash players and lovers. Here is a list of tournaments which organized by Pakistan Deaf Squash Association provided below:-

1. 1^st Lahore Deaf Squash Championships – 2005

2. 1^st National Deaf Squash Championships – 2006

3. 2^nd National Deaf Squash Championships – 2007

4. 3^rd National Deaf Squash Championships – 2008

5. 4^th National Deaf Squash Championships – 2009

All the tournaments were sponsored by Bank AlFalah Ltd. We are very impressed with Bank AlFalah 's management that they have keen interest to develop deaf squash in our country. we have also several sponsors like Nestle, Pepsi, and others they have sponsor us with squash goods and with their brand drinks.

EVENTS UNDER PLANNING AND PROGRESS:

1^st CM Punjab Open Deaf Squash Championship in January–2010

5^th National Deaf Squash Championships – 2010

(Dates are not Confirmed yet)

1^st Governor of Punjab Cup Deaf Squash Championships (Governor Cup)

(Dates are not Confirmed yet)

INTERNATIONAL EVENTS HISTORY:

In 2005 Pakistan Deaf Squash Association received invitation for World Deaf Squash Championships from World Deaf Squash Inc. held in Melbourne Australia. But unfortunately Australian embassy refuses to grant visa to deaf squash team. The news is available on internet and with print media.

Punjab Squash Association is providing the squash facilities i.e. coaching, squash courts, tips and training. We really thankful to Ex-President Lt. Gen ® Zarrar Azeem and Ex-Secretary Lt. Col. ® Muhammad Rafiq Shahid of Punjab Squash Association, both persons have extremely great credit to develop deaf squash in Pakistan. It’s very good that we have players from several districts of three respected provinces (Punjab, Sindh & N.W.F.P).