19-Feb-04
Pakistani Players still missing out in USA

The Tournament of Champions again started without any of the top-ranked Pakistani players, as their visa problems continued.

Since the events of 9/11 Pakistani players have been denied visas, forcing them to miss out on the ToC, the US Open, and many other events on the burgeoning US circuit.

Players were denied visas in 2001 and 2002. Since 2003 most of them have simply stopped applying.

One Pakistani player, who wishes to remain anonymous, has spoken out in the Pakistani press.

"It's not that we don't want to go and play in the US," the player told Pakistan's Dawn. "Playing squash is what we do to earn our bread and butter but we have been stopped from earning our living because of rigid attitude of US visa authorities."

"We think PSF officials could have helped us get our visas issued but they did little. Similarly, PSA which is there to look after us also sat like a silent spectator without doing much for us," complained the player who in spite of being a regular on the World Tour hasn't played on any tournament on the North American circuit since the 9/11 incidents in the United States.

 
THE DRAW