Pakistan to host first U23 World Squash Championship in 2025

The Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) will host the inaugural U23 World Squash Championship in 2025, marking an exciting milestone for squash in the country.

The event, scheduled to take place from April 6-10, 2025, will feature both men’s and women’s singles tournaments, each with 32 players competing for a share of the $60,000 prize pot and valuable PSA ranking points.

This championship will be the first of its kind, providing an important platform for emerging squash talents from around the world. It will serve as a crucial step for younger players, bridging the gap between the World Junior Squash Championships and senior-level events.

The announcement has been warmly welcomed by William Louis-Marie, CEO of the World Squash Federation (WSF), who highlighted the event’s potential to benefit the global squash community. "The WSF U23 World Squash Championship represents a great development for the global squash community," he said. "It will give up-and-coming players from all over the world the opportunity to test their skills against the world’s best, as well as provide an invaluable bridge between the WSF World Junior Championships and senior events."

Kazim Hammad, PSF Senior Vice President, echoed these sentiments, calling the championship a significant step for the sport. "This new initiative will encourage young players to continue training for another 5 years to wear the coveted world crown. In the process there will certainly be a mushroom growth of talent which could have faded away. Pakistan squash will go all out to ensure this new venture is successful."

Zaheer Ahmad Babar, President of the PSF, expressed pride in Pakistan's role as the host. "Karachi is a great choice to host the first edition of the championships, with Pakistan famous for producing some of the finest athletes in the history of the sport, including our Emeritus President Jahangir Khan, as well as a promising grassroots scene."

The tournament will not only showcase the emerging stars of the sport but also bolster Pakistan’s reputation as a hub for international squash tournaments. The last time Pakistan hosted a major squash event was in 2005, and now, 20 years later, the country is once again at the centre of the sport’s global stage.

Further details about the tournament will be released closer to the event.

Jansher Khan inducted into PSA Hall of Fame as Squash Legend

Squash legends Nicol David and Jansher Khan were inducted into the Professional Squash Association (PSA)'s Hall of Fame in a special ceremony at the Hong Kong Football Club, held on the eve of the Hong Kong Squash Open.

The event, which aired live on SQUASHTV, saw the two stars join the esteemed group of inductees, celebrating their remarkable contributions to the sport.

David and Khan now stand alongside the inaugural inductees, Susan Devoy and Jahangir Khan, as the fourth and fifth members of the PSA Hall of Fame.

Nicol David, considered one of the greatest female players in squash history, made her mark with an unprecedented eight World Championship titles and a 108-month reign as World No.1. Her achievements also include five British Open titles and two Commonwealth Games gold medals.

Following her retirement, David has focused on community-driven initiatives through the Nicol David Organisation, which supports squash development and education programs. In 2021, she was honored with membership in the Laureus World Sports Academy.

Expressing her gratitude at the induction, David said, “It’s such an honor to be recognized in this way. I feel amazing and truly thankful to the PSA.”

Jansher Khan, a cornerstone of Pakistan’s dominance in squash during the 1980s and 1990s, won eight World Championships and six British Open titles.

He also held the World No.1 position for a record 97 months and ended his career with a total of 99 professional titles, the highest in the men’s game.

Khan, reflecting on his induction, expressed his joy at being celebrated in Hong Kong, a place where he won eight Hong Kong Opens.

PSA Chief Executive Alex Gough praised the pair, saying, “Nicol and Jansher’s names will forever be linked with squash. Their records and influence on the game are unmatched.”

Both players received tributes from the current stars of the sport, with World No.1 Nour El Sherbini and Ali Farag recognizing the immense impact David and Khan had on shaping squash for future generations.

Farag called Khan "the greatest squash player of all time," while El Sherbini acknowledged David’s legacy as an inspiration to all players.

As PSA celebrates its 50th anniversary, this induction underscores the continued importance of honoring the trailblazers of the sport. The Hall of Fame now stands as a testament to the influential figures who have shaped squash into the global game it is today.