Interview
An interview with Pakistani coach of Iran’s women squash team
Ziba Parviz: Iranian women have a special talent in playing squash
Shirzanan:Sahabnam Shakorain/Translated by Roja Najafi: only 20 days remains to the international women squash tournament. It is for the fist time that this tournament will be held in Rasht, a city in north of Iran. Squash players from England, Scotland, Netherlands, India, Australia, Egypt, Pakistan and Libya are going to participate in this championship. These games considered the first international games for Iranian women squash players. Iran’s squash federation in a very smart move hired a well-known Pakistani coach for women team. She is Ziba Parviz. Here is Shirzanan’s excusive interview with her.
What did motivate you to accept Iran’s offer and become the coach of Iran’s women squash team?
I had enough information about Iran’s squash team. In addition to that the presence of Yavar Salam in Iran’s men squash team and that he was my coach back home in Pakistan persuaded me to accept this job and come to Iran.
How do you evaluate women squash team in Iran?
I believe Iranian women have a special talent in playing squash. In the past 6 months that I’ve been here they have really improved in their skills.
Do you think it is important for our women squash players to practice with men players?
This is exactly what I have pointed out in my past interviews; I believe we will see a huge difference if we allow the women players to practice with men. But in Iran it is a problem and we need to try very hard o get the permission to do so in future.
Do you think Rasht’s squash courts are ready to hosting this tournament?
I don’t have any exact information about their facilities. But I don’t think it is a problem. I like to add here that I think you have much better squash facilities in small cities than in Tehran.
How do you think this international tournament will affect the women’s squash team?
playing against good international players make Iran’s team stronger. We need to participate in more international games in order to become the best.
