Pakistan erupted in exultation as the nation witnessed a triumphant victory at the highly anticipated World Junior Squash Championship, culminating a 37-year drought in the prestigious tournament. In a spectacular showdown held in the squash mecca of Melbourne, Australia, the gifted prodigy, Hamza Khan, aged merely 17, showcased his unmatched talent by defeating Egypt’s Mohamed Zakaria in a captivating 3-1 battle.
The magnitude of this victory cannot be understated, as it marks the first time since 1986 that a Pakistani athlete has secured the illustrious title. Rewinding to those glory days, the legendary Jansher Khan had last wielded the championship trophy, an enduring symbol of Pakistan’s squash legacy. Over the decades, only two Pakistanis managed to ascend to the finals, the most recent being in 2008, highlighting the magnitude of Hamza’s achievement.
“Pakistani Squash is back!”
Here’s the moment Hamza Khan ended Pakistan’s 37-year wait for a WSF World Junior Squash Champion title #WSFjuniors @paksquash @squashAUS pic.twitter.com/h7K50hAVjH
— World Squash (@WorldSquash) July 23, 2023
Hailing from the enchanting village of Nawa Killi in Pakistan’s northwestern Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province, Hamza Khan hails from a lineage of squash legends, harking back to the time when Pakistan commanded unparalleled eminence on the global squash stage. Within this realm of sporting prowess, the Khan family holds its own distinct place, producing esteemed athletes like world number 14 Shahid Zaman Khan and former British Open victor Qamar Zaman.
Nevertheless, Hamza Khan’s path to victory was not one paved with ease or indulgence. For nearly a decade, his unwavering passion for the sport has been nurtured by the unwavering support of his father, Niazullah Khan. A former national-level squash player himself, Niazullah has generously funded his son’s athletic aspirations from the onset, offering financial assistance for training, acquiring equipment, and securing travel tickets to numerous events. Despite the Pakistan Squash Federation covering Hamza’s expenses for the Australian journey, it was a testament to Niazullah’s dedication that he bore the additional expenses to provide the young athlete with new racquets and shoes from his personal resources.
Reflecting on his own aspirations of representing Pakistan on the squash court, Niazullah’s dreams had to succumb to the realities of his family’s financial circumstances. A top player during his college days in Peshawar, Niazullah had to forsake his own ambitions to fulfill familial responsibilities. Today, as an employee of the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority stationed in Cherat town, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, he beams with pride, knowing that his son is fulfilling the dreams he once held dear.
Hamza Khan’s squash journey commenced at the tender age of nine when he first set foot on a squash court. Prior to that, he honed his skills by practicing against walls within the confines of his home. Yet, within a few short months, his exceptional talents manifested, propelling him to qualify for a domestic tournament and astonishingly defeating a player ten months his senior.
Hearty congratulations have poured in from all quarters, acknowledging the remarkable feat accomplished by the young squash virtuoso. Among those extending their felicitations was Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who took to Twitter to praise Hamza’s triumph while reminiscing about the golden era of Pakistan’s squash when iconic figures like Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan upheld their supremacy in the sport. Emphasizing the significance of role models in shaping the future, the Prime Minister expressed his belief that with determination and dedication, the emerging generation, led by Hamza, will follow in their footsteps.
In recent years, Pakistan’s squash domain has witnessed a downturn, with numerous attributing this decline to the lack of governmental support. Noorena Shams, a prominent figure in Pakistan’s squash, concurred with this perspective. According to her, the primary hurdles faced by aspiring players are weak management and inadequate administration. The absence of competent leadership, capable of generating resources and tending to the needs of players, has led to difficulties in nurturing emerging talent and fostering a flourishing squash ecosystem.
I congratulate Hamza Khan on winning the World Junior Squash Championship. His hard work, commitment & sporting prowess has made Pakistan the recipient of the title after a long gap of 37 years. There was a time when our squash icons in Jahangir Khan & Jansher Khan upheld their… pic.twitter.com/kMR59kNoD0
— Shehbaz Sharif (@CMShehbaz) July 23, 2023
Shams recounted a disheartening incident from 2018 when she encountered Hamza during his preparations for the Junior US Open championship. Despite being visibly injured, no board officials had detected his predicament, indicative of a systemic lack of attention to the players’ welfare. The constant pressure on athletes to perform pushes them to endure hardships and play through injuries, impeding their growth and potential.
Niazullah Khan emphasized the imperative for Pakistan’s sports authorities to adopt a long-term perspective, investing substantially in the training and facilities for emerging talents. While he appreciated the support offered by the Pakistan Squash Federation, he expressed concern that the singular official accompanying Hamza to Australia lacked a background in squash, underscoring the necessity for expert guidance.
Hamza Khan’s resplendent triumph at the World Junior Squash Championship has not only rekindled the flames of squash fervor in Pakistan but has also spotlighted the exigency for concerted efforts to revive and nourish the nation’s squash legacy. The onus now lies on the government, sports authorities, and squash enthusiasts alike to rally behind the burgeoning talent, assuring that they receive the nurturing and backing they so rightfully deserve. By doing so, Pakistan’s name shall once again reign supreme on the international squash stage, heralding a bright and glorious future for the sport within the nation’s borders.
