Squash ace Aqeel Rehman thinks about changing nations
Sports
Salzburg’s best squash player, Aqeel Rehman, is considering a change of nation after a bitter argument with the association. The conflict was sparked by the fact that the 16-time Austrian champions were not nominated for the upcoming European Championships.
In the meantime, the fronts between Rehman and the Austrian Squash Association seem to have hardened completely. The 36-year-old is considering playing for another country in the future.
“Of course, that would be the saddest thing that can happen to me personally, because I’m an extremely proud Austrian. I have achieved so many successes for Austrian sport. Of course, but I have to look at myself and my Pakistani roots are probably the closest. That would definitely be the next option. How much I am then entitled to play in various leagues would be another question, also whether I can keep my passport in Austria. I now have to see what other options there are,” explains Rehman in an ORF interview.
Association is deliberately relaxed
The Austrian Squash Association, on the other hand, is not available for an interview, but is deliberately relaxed. In a phone call it was said that Rehman’s sporting successes were undisputed, that they wanted to remain sober and factual and that they were preparing a further statement. Association President Thomas Wachter says to Rehman’s considerations, thank God we live in a democracy and everyone is free in what they do and don’t do.