Every News: Egyptian Mostafa Asal a new kid on the block

Egyptian Mostafa Asal a new kid on the block
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ISLAMABAD: Producing world junior champions has now become a habit of Egyptian squash. Every World Junior throws up yet another world beater. Be it Aamir Shabana, Ramy Ashore, Shorebagies or new kid on the block-Mostafa Asal, there has been no let off from a country that almost two decades back was not even have thought of dominating the world of squash in such a ruthless manner.It is no surprise to see top three places on the latest April PSA ranking list occupied by Egyptian players. The most exciting element is that within years junior champion becomes a star in the making at international professional circuit. The News caught up with the new squash sensation, the reigning world junior champion Mostafa Asal on the sidelines of CAS Open.At less than 17, he not only has become the world beater at junior level but has reached as high as No 41 on the latest PSA ranking list. Though he is eyeing to have another go at defending his junior title in a year time, Asal’s hunger to climb up the ladder at PSA as quickly as possible seems apparent from his game. “It is not juniors where I am currently focusing my attention, the future lies in senior circuit and it is where I focus all my attention. Admitted that I would be having another go at the junior title in a year time, it is the senior circuit that attracts me most,” Asal said.The Egyptian junior owes his success and eminent fame to top class academy system that is paying dividends in Egypt. “Look I started learning the game at the age of nine through one of the academies in Cairo. It is the academy system in Egypt that produces one after another champion. We have good number of academies where youngsters learn the art of the game starting from as early as seven years of age. I am one of them. Training under well versed coaches and competing against each other at early teens make you realize about the demands and standard of the game. The more you work on your technique and fitness the better you become,” he said. Mostafa Asal dispelled the impression that his federation back home has anything to do with his or his predecessors’ progress. “We are all on our own. The federation never pays us anything. We have to pay all from own pocket to train at academies and to travel around the world. We have to maintain a standard enabling us to meet the expenditures of traveling and coaching. It is because of this that share hard work I think has made Egyptians stronger and well known around squash world. The competition within Egypt has gone so fierce these days that you need to work even harder to keep up the pace with the best in the world.”The youngster who is seeded No 3 at the CAS Open hopes to make further progress at PSA ranking in near future. “There is no short cut to glory. I believe focus and consistent hard work is must to earn a name in the game and it is where I have focused my attention.”Asal has all praise for Pakistan Squash Federation for arranging such wonderful back to back events. “Nowhere in the world, we get such facilities to compete and play. Pakistan is rare. We recognize Pakistan services and the world should also do that. Free boarding and lodging, pick and drop and on top of that safe and sound atmosphere of Islamabad? What else you need.”