Pakistan’s Muhammad Hamza Khan defeated Egypt’s Mohamed Zakaria in the World Junior Squash Championship 2023 in Melbourne on Sunday to pull off one of the greatest victories for his country, bringing the title home after almost four decades.
In a momentous display of skill and determination, the young prodigy from Peshawar beat Zakaria 3-1, with scores of 10-12, 14-12, 11-3, and 11-6. During the game, Hamza showcased unwavering determination as he overcame the initial setback of losing the first set. His impeccable stroke play and relentless spirit enabled him to secure victory in 71 minutes, leaving the crowd at the Melbourne Sports Center in awe.
Embracing the momentous win with gratitude and emotion, Hamza expressed his utmost joy saying,
“I am very happy, thanks to Allah, thanks to my coach and my parents.”
This historic win marks a significant milestone for Pakistan, as Hamza became the first Pakistani squash player in 37 years to seize the prestigious World Squash trophy since Jansher Khan’s triumph in 1986. The talented youngster’s achievement is all the more extraordinary as he managed to break through the shadows of the past, where only Amir Atlas had come close to replicating Jansher’s feat 15 years ago.
Reflecting on his momentous victory, Hamza’s father, Niazullah, expressed his pride and joy, emphasizing that the win was the result of his son’s talent, hard work, and the prayers of the entire Pakistani nation.
“I am incredibly happy; it is a great achievement for Hamza. I was talking to him and he was crying with excitement and joy because he just could not believe that he had won the title,” said Hamza’s father Niazullah while speaking to The Express Tribune from Cherat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Moreover, Coach Tahir Iqbal, who played a pivotal role in Hamza’s training, expressed immense pride in his achievement, seeing it as an opportunity to draw attention to the talented players in Pakistan. Tahir believes that Hamza has the potential to revolutionize the game, just like Egypt’s Ramy Ashour did.
“Hamza has extraordinary talent, the same quality that Ramy had, he will change the game, he has natural skill and physical power,” said Tahir. ““The key is to get sponsorships for the players so that they can compete at the professional events, there needs to be a long-term plan for them, and there need to be opportunities for them, right now there are none, but I hope that this win can change it.”
A Journey full of Challenges
Hamza’s journey to the World Junior title was not without challenges. A lack of financial support and sponsors initially hindered his progress. However, he rose to the occasion with an unwavering belief in his abilities and support from the Pakistan Army and the Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF). The PSF covered all expenses for his participation in the championship, highlighting the nation’s collective effort to nurture talent.
“He won against the odds, in fact when he came to me he was upset, he wanted to get back to his best game because he was not getting a chance to compete at the PSA events, which is crucial for players to get world ranking,” mentioned Tahir Iqbal, who trained Hamza for three months before the tournament, while Army coach took him under his wing towards the last month before the event.
Congratulations pour in
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif expressed gratitude to the squash player for bringing the title back to Pakistan after 37 years. He expressed hope that Hamza would lead Pakistan to invincibility in the sport in the near future.
The Prime Minister also extended his congratulations to Hamza’s parents, coach, and all team members.
President Arif Alvi highlighted that Pakistan had an unparalleled and unmatched legacy of supremacy in squash in the past.
“I had personally watched many finals among our giants. After a long time, a resurgent ray of hope. Well done,” he said.
In addition, Foreign Minister Bilawal Bhutto Zardari expressed his anticipation for more achievements from Pakistan’s sportsmen following today’s cricket and squash victories.