Pakistan Squash, from 1940

Information about the first fifty years of squash in Pakistan abounds in this article.

I apologise to the author as I am afraid that I have lost the details of the writer and where it appeared, but well worth posting as it gives context to the PAF support and features many legends from the country.

SQUASH IN PAKISTAN

Squash in Pakistan started from year 1940 and since then Pakistan Air Force has been patronizing the game by extending tremendous support for its promotion. In 1942 Mr Hashim Khan who had a great passion for squash was provided a job at the Air Force Officers Mess.  Earlier to this, Hashim Khan continued spending his days playing squash and stringing rackets with the sort of patience that was exceptional for lad of his age. However, because of his humble family background, he could not proceed for any overseas event.  Considering his talent, enthusiasm and love for squash, the legendary & action-packed Hashim Khan was sponsored by PAF Officers who pooled in money to ensure his participation into British Open Squash Championship in year 1951. 

Hashim reached London in the winter of 1951 on a chartered PAF plane along with several military & Govt officials. Justifying the financial support from PAF Hashim Khan showed exceptional performance and won the final of grand British Open in 1951 which he continued for the next 06 consecutive years thus making a record history in the world.  In a way, Pakistan squash owes its very existence and most of its glory to Mr Hashim Khan and the PAF officers who had sponsored him. From 1951 to 1963, Pakistani players achieved remarkable success in Squash winning British Open all those thirteen years. Mr Roshan Khan won British Open in 1957, Mr Azam Khan (younger brother of Hashim) won the title for 4 years (1959-62) and Mohibullah (Snr) in 1963.  Thereafter, no Pakistani player could win the title over the next decade.

Continuing PAF’s support to Pakistan Squash, Air Marshal Nur Khan being Commander-In-Chief of PAF (23 July, 65 – 31 Aug, 69) served as President / Chairman of Cricket, Hockey & Squash and introduced sports tactics & ideas that helped sporting performances and gained attention at international level. Air Marshal Nur Khan took over the charge of PIA 2^nd time in 1973 & immediately took revolutionary steps. He initiated the PIA Colts Scheme wherein young promising boys were spotted and given monthly stipends. They were coached and sent to participate in international tournaments with PIA bearing the travel expenses. 

Based upon the outstanding performance at international level, players were given permanent employment in PIA.  Continuing with the incentive policy, if any of the players achieved some major success in prime events, he was rewarded with departmental promotion. All this led to a surfeit of world class Pakistani players in the 70s; Qamar Zaman, Gogi Allauddin, Hiddy Jahan, Mohibullah Khan (Jnr).  There used to be 6 to 7 Pakistanis in the world top ten ranking. In 1975, on AM Nur Khan’s request, legendary Azam Khan, 4-time winner of British Open (1959-62) who was running a squash club in England, prepared Qamar Zaman & Mohibullah Junior for British Open.  Qamar Zaman re-claimed the title to Pakistan after 12 years in 1975.  AM Nur Khan also gave the squash world Jahangir Khan, a pure PIA colt product who became the greatest squash player of all time.

Taking into account the keen interest / encouragement & excellent support for the game of squash by PAF authorities, Pakistan Squash Federation came under the umbrella of Pakistan Air Force in early 70s along with formation of Asian Squash Federation in early 80s.  As per its constitution, Chief of the Air Staff PAF, holds the portfolio of President, PSF. In order to support the national cause, PAF has always provided exceptional administrative & financial hold-up to Pakistan Squash and has proved instrumental in taking the game to its heights.  This was just PAF support which surely helped the Magnificent-7 World Champions (Hashim Khan, Roshan Khan, Azam Khan, Mohibullah (Snr), Qamar Zaman, Jahangir Khan & Jansher Khan) to rule the world of squash for over 4-decades. 

Similarly, most of the National Sports Federations are getting financial support from Govt of Pakistan whereas, Pakistan Squash Federation is being completely financed by PAF for its minor & major ventures including infrastructure development, players’ training arrangements and conduct of international squash tournaments for men & women. With the same strategy, Mr Qamar Zaman was provided job in PIA by Air Marshal Zafar Chaudhry.  Similarly, in subsequent years Jansher Khan was trained at PAF Officers’ Mess Squash Courts to join Jahangir Khan without any gap.  Considering his potential, passion and hard work he was inducted in PAF as a JCO at the very young age of 14 years; which is again part of PAF history. This kind gesture of PAF greatly helped Jansher Khan to prove his worth and book a slot in the list of World Champions for Pakistan in his professional career.