Squash has a special place in every Pakistani's heart. It is not just a mere game for us. Squash has provided for us vital encouragement at a critical time in our development as a society and a nation, writes Adil Ahmad

The dynamics of change can cut both ways. Things can get better and better, and then begin to deteriorate as a consequence of complacency, concentration lapses, and sometimes even malafide intent. Or the reverse may apply, with an alarming downhill progression - characterized by confusion, chaos, loss of credibility, and respectability - arrested by a re-energizing of the moral fibre, a re-awakening of the collective conscience, and a renewed determination to do things right in the manner prescribed. Such are, and have been, the trials and tribulations of human society right through the ages. A cyclical condition. The good news, followed by the bad news, followed by some more good news.

Pakistan's squash effort claims no exemption from this cyclical condition. We have developed the art of rationalization to formidable proportions, and even in our moments of severe adversity we have found in them a silver lining of astonishingly bright proportions. We have been there, and we have done that, and now we shall do it, Insha'allah, some more in grand style, once we have fixed our wagon and re-equipped it to go where no man, or woman, has gone before, and prevail emphatically in the face of seemingly daunting odds.

Squash has a special place in every Pakistani's heart. It is not just a mere game for us here in the land of the Indus and the Karakoram. Squash has provided for us vital encouragement at a critical time in our development as a society and a nation. Threatened by the prospect of being consigned to the ranks of mediocrity associated with third world countries, Pakistan's squash players and organizers have rallied to the rescue, and with their superb performances have lifted the hearts of Pakistanis the world over.

Hashim, Azam, Roshan, Mohibullah Senior, Qamar Zaman, Jahangir, and Jansher, the tamers of the British Open and the champions of the world of squash, along with a host of other only slightly less distinguished players, have blazoned Pakistan's name around the globe since 1947. Squash has enabled Pakistan to demonstrate to the world its combative, competitive spirit, and the indignities inflicted upon us by the 'resource gap' have been compensated in great measure by the euphoria of victory over the resource rich.

Pakistan's squash effort has provided for the nation a window to the world, a window through which Pakistan's youth have had a breathtaking view of success and glory, fame and fortune, which has motivated them to shed their doubts and fears, and believe in themselves and their ability to excel at the highest levels.

We have come a long way since the day the hat did the rounds at the Pakistan Air Force officers' mess. The contents of that hat, and the personal beliefs of a few gallant gentlemen officers, made possible the most dramatic turnaround in the fortunes of aspiring squash warriors of Nua Killi.

The Pathan squash legacy has done much more than enough to secure for Pakistan a permanent and leading place in the world's hall of fame. The great challenge now is to carry the message of squash to the greatest possible numbers. Pakistan's squash message is simply this: We have what it takes to prevail at the highest levels of global excellence in the face of daunting odds. That perseverance commands success. That being born into poverty is no bar to the acquisition of fame and fortune. That there is no substitute to sincerity of purpose.

As we enter the new millennium Pakistan's squash effort has its work cut out for it. Amjad Khan is the only Pakistani in the top 24 players of the world. Our most recent claim to fame, Jansher Khan, is nursing his wounds, and has vanished from the top 100 ranked players of the world. The player pool is restricted, and not surprisingly, since the pool of available squash courts is woefully limited. The critical corporate sponsorship base, entirely dependent upon the state of the game's spectatorship, is unable to measure up to the occasion. Daunting as this ground reality may appear, it has to be faced and tackled, and prevailed upon. Now more than ever before the grand vision has to be reiterated with emphasis.

If for a small spell in our history we should find ourselves deprived of the world's number one slot, it is really no cause for concern, much less anguish. What is cause for great concern is the manner in which the game of Pakistani world champions, a game which promotes fitness, finesse and agility both mental and physical, has remained restricted to a handful of professional and amateur enthusiasts.

The great challenge in the new millennium will be to carry the message of squash to the greatest possible numbers. To enable the dissemination and broad-basing of Pakistan's squash message, the expeditious mobilizing of Pakistan's utility courts construction programme is vital. The need is for inexpensive, functional squash courts spread through the length and breadth of the country, equipped with a dynamic grassroots management structure, benefiting the school and college systems of Pakistan. If we can meet this challenge successfully then players from Pakistan will crowd the top 100 rankings of the world, and continue to do so on an ongoing, continuous basis.