Teen squash champion feted in capital

Hamza Khan’s parents, peers attend federation event

ISLAMABAD:

Seventeen-year-old Hamza Khan, who recently became the first Pakistani in nearly four decades to win the World Junior Squash Championship, was hailed as an inspiration to young sportspersons in the country at a congratulatory reception at a hotel in Islamabad.

The Pakistan Squash Federation hosted the event to honour the champion on his return from Melbourne, Australia, after winning the final of the coveted junior championship.

The federation’s secretary, Zafaryab Iqbal, reminded the audience of the lengthy gap between Hamza’s victory and the last time a Pakistani won the World Junior Squash Championship in 1986.

Hamza Khan hails from Nawan Killi in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, which is home to squash champions like Shahid Zaman Khan and Qamar Zaman.

Niazullah Khan, Hamza’s father, revealed that he once dreamed of playing squash internationally but couldn’t pursue his passion because of resources.

He recalled how he first discovered his son’s talent. He noticed the accuracy and consistency of his shots while Hamza would practise at home by hitting the ball against the wall.

He enrolled the precocious teen at the Hashim Khan Squash Centre in Peshawar. Within six months, he had won the junior national championship followed by numerous other victories including the Asian Championship and British Junior title, his father narrated.

At that time, Hamza said his ultimate goal was to win major titles – the British Open and the World Open.

His father Niazullah Khan expressed hope that Hamza would emulate the successes of squash greats like Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan.

Hamza defeated Egyptian Mohamed Zakaria in four sets to becoming the first Pakistani to win the championship since Jansher Khan in 1986.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, August 5^th, 2023.