"thanks to my coach and my parents."
Hamza Khan won the 2023 World Junior Squash Championship, becoming the first Pakistani player to do so since 1986.
He defeated Egypt’s Mohamed Zakaria 3-1 in the final, which was held in Melbourne, Australia.
Amir Atlas was the last Pakistani player to make the finals in 2008 while Jansher Khan was Pakistan’s last winner.
Although Hamza lost the first set of the game by 12-10, this did not waver his confidence and he came back fighting.
Speaking of his win, Hamza said:
“I am very happy, thanks to Allah, thanks to my coach and my parents.”
Overcome by his emotions, Hamza expressed his feelings about winning the title.
He gave a special thanks to his father for his continued support.
His father said: “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.
“I feel this is a result of Hamza’s talent and hard work, and the prayers of the Pakistani nation.”
The win holds a special significance for 17-year-old Hamza after he received a 13-week ban from the Professional Squash Association in February 2023.
This was due to missing out on a number of international events for which he had been entered.
With little financial support and no backing sponsors, Hamza’s journey to the world junior title was a difficult one.
But with a strong belief in himself and his father’s assurance, he set out on a journey to be recognised. He went on to be supported by the Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF).
Speaking of the PSF, Hamza expressed his gratitude for their support.
He said: “I want to thank the PSF and especially the Pakistan Army, they supported me a lot and I am grateful to them with all my heart.
“I will make Pakistan proud everywhere if I keep getting the same kind of support in the future.”
Coach Tahir Iqbal was also full of praise for the teenager. He said:
“I am immensely proud of him. He won against the odds.”
Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif tweeted:
“I congratulate Hamza Khan on winning the World Junior Squash Championship.
“His hard work, commitment and 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 and Jansher Khan upheld their dominance of the sport and bagged one international title after another.
“Hamza and other young players like him have great role models to follow and with steadfastness and self-application, they would fill in their shoes one day, inshallah. The future beacons for Pakistan.”
President Arif Alvi added: “I had personally watched many finals among our giants. After a long time, a resurgent ray of hope. Well done.”
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