Squash: Shuja closer to selection for Melbourne

Former Pakistan squash representative Kashif Shuja has overcome a key hurdle to representing New Zealand at next year's Melbourne Commonwealth Games.

Pakistan has granted Shuja, who moved to New Zealand in 2002, permission to turn out for his adopted country.

Shuja, 25, qualified to play for New Zealand under World Squash Federation (WSF) rules when he gained citizenship last month.

However, he still needed clearance from Pakistan, which he represented at the 1998 Commonwealth Games in Kuala Lumpur.

Squash New Zealand today said the Pakistan Olympic Association had sent a letter to its New Zealand counterpart confirming that the Pakistan Squash Federation had no objection.

The WSF was now expected to give the final stamp of approval to Shuja's change of allegiance.

Shuja's present world ranking of 58 makes him New Zealand's highest ranked player, ahead of Callum O'Brien at No 65.

He walked away from squash after the 1998 Commonwealth Games, but returned to the sport on arriving in New Zealand.

He is currently playing part-time on the world circuit but has said he intended playing full-time next year, when making the world top 10 was a major goal.

- NZPA