Peshawar-based Hamza Khan has made it to the finals of the World Junior Squash Championship in France, and has been announced as the top seed of the tournament.
The 16-year-old beat Ameeshenraj Chandaran of Malaysia 11-8, 11-6 and 11-6 in the Round of 16. He is also the first non-Egyptian top seed in the championship since 2015.
Just last year, Khan won the US Junior U19 Open final, and currently holds a world ranking of 162. If the tournament goes to seedings, Khan might be competing against fellow Pakistani, Noor Zaman, who he defeated at the U19 Open final last year.
Air Marshal Amir Masood, Senior Vice President of the Pakistan Squash Federation, explained to the World Squash Federation that the excellent performance of both Hamza and Noor is the result of a long-term strategy on the part of the Federation as well as the hard work and squash DNA of Pakistan’s players.
18-year Noor Zaman, who is the no.2 seed at the tournament, is the grandson of former World No.1 and British Open champion Qamar Zaman, one of Pakistan's most legendary squash players. Both Hamza and Noor, as well as former squash legends Jahangir and Jansher Khan are from the same village in Peshawar, said Masood.
“So that small village has produced more than six world champions. That is in their DNA. But for us, as an organisation, as a Federation, it is important that we polish their talent, we sharpen their skills, and we afford them all sorts of facilities, where they can see the modern squash and can adapt themselves.”
Masood seemed very hopeful regarding Hamza's career, saying, “As far as Hamza’s performance and future is concerned, I’m really very hopeful that if he maintains his strength and focus, I have no doubt that he will be among the top 10 within the next two years. He can go ahead like that.
The 16-year-old beat Ameeshenraj Chandaran of Malaysia 11-8, 11-6 and 11-6 in the Round of 16. He is also the first non-Egyptian top seed in the championship since 2015.
Just last year, Khan won the US Junior U19 Open final, and currently holds a world ranking of 162. If the tournament goes to seedings, Khan might be competing against fellow Pakistani, Noor Zaman, who he defeated at the U19 Open final last year.
Air Marshal Amir Masood, Senior Vice President of the Pakistan Squash Federation, explained to the World Squash Federation that the excellent performance of both Hamza and Noor is the result of a long-term strategy on the part of the Federation as well as the hard work and squash DNA of Pakistan’s players.
18-year Noor Zaman, who is the no.2 seed at the tournament, is the grandson of former World No.1 and British Open champion Qamar Zaman, one of Pakistan's most legendary squash players. Both Hamza and Noor, as well as former squash legends Jahangir and Jansher Khan are from the same village in Peshawar, said Masood.
“So that small village has produced more than six world champions. That is in their DNA. But for us, as an organisation, as a Federation, it is important that we polish their talent, we sharpen their skills, and we afford them all sorts of facilities, where they can see the modern squash and can adapt themselves.”
Masood seemed very hopeful regarding Hamza's career, saying, “As far as Hamza’s performance and future is concerned, I’m really very hopeful that if he maintains his strength and focus, I have no doubt that he will be among the top 10 within the next two years. He can go ahead like that.