Shaheer Ahmed
The year appears to be the sports year in Pakistan. We see the ending of one sports championship with the start of another. And people still think that cricket is the only sport in Pakistan. No doubt it is the most popular one but there are other sports too where Pakistan is bagging many wins. One such sport is squash. Yes! You heard it right Pakistan is soon going to host the squash championship in Karachi.
Pakistan and Squash
Pakistan entered the world of squash with the establishment of the Pakistan Squash Federation. The federation exists for the development and promotion of the sport. We have been very fortunate when it comes to squash. For almost 4 decades we have been reigning over sports. Though cricket is the most popular sport, hockey is our national sport but squash has been a sport where Pakistan has bagged the most wins.
Pakistan has won 14 World Open titles, 30 British Open titles, and many Professional Squash Association titles. Pakistan has been known to make its name in British Open, Super Series, World Open, and the Hong Kong Open. If Pakistan has so much luck in this sport, then why has it not been promoted nationwide the way it should have been. We don’t lack talent or skills, it’s just the lack of recognition by the government and Pakistanis. Why not give squash the recognition and attention it requires so, we just don’t have only one sport to brag about.
Talking about squash and not mentioning the legends of squash just sounds so unfair. Mr. Hashim Khan whose interest in squash led him to win awards like British Open and World Champions. Another squash player Mr. Roshan Khan dominated the sports in the 1960s and also appeared victorious in British Open. Azam Khan emerged as the champion in the British Open four times. Now the legends without whom squash wouldn’t have gained any popularity are the Jahangir Khan and the unbeatable Jansher Khan. There was a time when no one could beat his winning streak. Wow! This is something to take pride in. Yes! In Pakistan squash was once the sport that earned Pakistan respect not only at the national but also at the international level.
Pakistan Hosts Squash Championship
News! News! Pakistan is all set to revive its name in squash. Yes! Karachi is going to host Karachi Open Squash Championship 2022 which is expected to commence from 15th till 19th March. Many famous international players are going to compete in the championship. Everyone will be eyeing the victory and we obviously want Pakistan to emerge victorious just like in past. There will be two events one will be the male event which will be a PSA World Tour Bronze tournament and the other one is the female competition which will be a PSA Challenger Tour 20 tournament. The word has that 20 international players are expected to participate in the event. From Pakistan Asim Khan, Muhammad Ashab Irfan, Tayyab Aslam, Zaynab Khan, and Amna Fayyaz are going to compete in the squash championship.
Jahangir Khan, Emeritus President of World Squash Federation and Chairman Sindh Squash Association upon being the host said “The Sindh Squash Association is delighted to host the Karachi Open Squash Championship 2022. We are excited to collaborate with the ARY group who have always been huge supporters of sports in the country. We are all very excited to showcase Pakistan’s hospitality to a number of talented international squash players and I look forward to welcoming them in Karachi this March.”
Just like them, we are also excited to see the world’s best players competing to bring the title of ‘champions’ to their home countries. All our hopes and prayers are with Pakistani squash players. Best of luck guys!
