Champion Hamza Khan rejoiced after Pakistan’s stunning victory at the WSF World Junior Championship in Melbourne but lamented the lack of support in the early days of his career and when he was going through a rough patch.
Khan clinched the championship title on Sunday, bringing it to Pakistan after a gap of 37 years, following in the footsteps of former champions Sohail Qaiser and Janshir Khan in 1982 and 1986 respectively.
He defeated Mohamed Zakaria of Egypt to regain the country’s long-lost reign in the squash world.
Speaking during an interview, the 17-year-old athlete said: “They say squash does not get enough support because there are no players. There are squash players in Pakistan, but they need support.”
She said her father was coaching and supporting her through her ups and downs, while others left her alone.
“Now that I have won, everyone is calling me and reminding me how they taught me the game. They should have thought of holding my hand in the early days. But it was only my father who supported me,” Khan shared of challenges during his career.
He lamented that cricket has more support across the country and nobody supports squash. When asked about living under pressure after a big win, the player sought “support” from the government.
🇵🇰 PAKISTAN'S FIRST CHAMPION SINCE 1986!
— World Squash (@WorldSquash) July 23, 2023
Hamza Khan comes from behind to win the 2023 WSF World Junior Squash Championship!
Result: WSF World Junior Squash Championships Men's Final
🇵🇰 [3/4] Hamza Khan bt [3/4] Mohamed Zakaria 🇪🇬
3-1: 10-12, 14-12, 11-3, 11-6#WSFjuniors pic.twitter.com/mKsEkEFknO
“We are financially very weak. For example, when we ask the federation for tickets to participate in the [Professional Squash Association] PSA tournament, they refuse,” he said, adding that the federation cites the high cost of the tickets and only supports players up to the junior level.
The player said that he was accompanied only by the director of Pakistan Squash Federation and no coach, physio or player was with him during the tournament. He added that the federation cited lack of funds for not taking the coach along.
“It is important for the coach and the physio to be with the player in case of injury,” he said.
🎙 "Pakistani Squash is back!"
— World Squash (@WorldSquash) July 23, 2023
Here's the moment 🇵🇰 Hamza Khan ended Pakistan's 37-year wait for a WSF World Junior Squash Champion title 🏆#WSFjuniors @paksquash @squashAUS pic.twitter.com/h7K50hAVjH
The youngster said that he worked hard before the tournament with the support of Pakistan Army and Pakistan Air Force. “My manager Major Sulaiman supported me a lot. I had intended to break this record in my heart,” he said.
Khan said he was the only player from Pakistan and was under “a lot of pressure” being the country’s sole representative at the world level, while there were at least six players from other countries.
The young player said it is great that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) Chairman Imran Khan have extended their support to him, but what he needs now is “financial support”.
“A racket costs Rs 40,000. So if one breaks while playing, I don’t have four to five. Also our food,” he mentioned while talking about his needs as a squash player.
🇵🇰🏆Muhammad Hamza Khan Became the New World Junior Champion! 🌟🇵🇰
— Pakistan Squash Federation (@paksquash) July 23, 2023
🎉 It is with immense pride and joy that we announce the incredible achievement of Muhammad Hamza Khan, who has secured the title of World Junior Champion at the WSF World Junior Squash Championship 2023🏅💪 pic.twitter.com/Up6vzmFTVR
Expressing his happiness about his win, Khan said he couldn’t believe to become the world champion. “I called my parents first [after winning].”
