PROVINCE REPORT
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 pivotal role in Pakistan’s sporting success and can once again become a key training destination for national athletes.
Speaking about the city’s sporting potential, Tariq Mahmood, who also serves as President of the Abbottabad Squash Association, said Abbottabad’s weather closely resembles that of many European countries, making it an ideal venue for pre-competition training camps ahead of major international events.
He recalled that Abbottabad was once regarded as one of Pakistan’s leading high-performance training centres, where national teams in squash, cricket, hockey, football, volleyball and several other sports regularly held training camps. These camps, he said, helped athletes improve their fitness, endurance and technical preparation, contributing to Pakistan’s impressive performances on the international stage.
Expressing concern over the deteriorating condition of Abbottabad’s international-standard squash courts, Tariq Mahmood said the facility, which previously hosted major national and provincial championships, has suffered years of neglect due to inadequate maintenance. Despite repeatedly bringing the matter to the attention of the Pakistan Squash Federation, he said, no practical steps have been taken to restore the historic venue.
He warned that the poor state of the courts has virtually halted national and provincial squash competitions in Abbottabad, depriving local players of valuable competitive opportunities and slowing the development of emerging talent.
Tariq Mahmood urged the Pakistan Squash Federation, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Sports Directorate and national sports federations to fully utilise Abbottabad’s natural environment by organising year-round national training camps and sporting events. He maintained that regular camps in the city would significantly enhance athletes’ physical conditioning and overall performance in international competitions.
He emphasised that sustainable sports development requires long-term planning, modern strategies and continuous investment in sports infrastructure. Preserving, restoring and effectively utilising existing facilities, he said, is just as important as constructing new ones.
Calling for immediate action, Tariq Mahmood appealed to the Pakistan Squash Federation to restore and maintain Abbottabad’s historic squash courts and appoint a permanent qualified coach at the facility. He said these steps would ensure uninterrupted training for local players, revive national and international squash competitions in Abbottabad and provide young athletes with greater opportunities to excel at the highest level.
