Hamza Khan of Pakistan emerged victorious at the World Junior Squash Championship 2023 on Sunday, ending the country’s 37-year-long wait for a champion in the prestigious tournament.
The event, held in Melbourne, Australia, witnessed a remarkable display of skill and determination as Hamza defeated Egypt’s Mohamed Zakaria with a commendable scoreline of 3-1 in the final.
Hamza Khan’s journey to glory began with his earlier success at the U-15 title during the British Junior Open Squash Championship in 2020.
Building upon his talents and relentless training, Hamza expressed his gratitude to his coach, managers, and, most notably, his parents for their unwavering support that contributed significantly to his triumph.
The news of Hamza’s victory was met with widespread jubilation across Pakistan, with citizens and dignitaries alike expressing their heartfelt congratulations.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif extended his gratitude to the young athlete for bringing the prestigious title back to Pakistan after almost four decades.
He expressed his hope that Hamza’s success would pave the way for making Pakistan a force to be reckoned with in the sport of squash on the international stage.
President Arif Alvi, who has long been an avid supporter of squash in Pakistan, expressed his admiration for Hamza’s victory and the resurgence it brings to the country’s squash legacy.
He recalled the days of Pakistan’s unmatched supremacy in the sport and highlighted the significance of Hamza’s win as a promising sign of a bright future for Pakistani squash.
اسکواش کے میدان میں لمبے عرصے تک پاکستان کی بے مثال بالادستی قائم رہی ہے۔ میں نے ذاتی طور پر ہمارے بڑے بڑے ناموں کے درمیان بہت سے فائنل دیکھے۔ ایک طویل عرصے کے بعد امید کی ایک اور کرن نظر آئی ہے۔ شاباش 👋 pic.twitter.com/fMkZED2fqU
— Dr. Arif Alvi (@ArifAlvi) July 23, 2023
Minister for Information and Broadcasting Marriyum Aurangzeb on Sunday felicitated the entire nation on Pakistan’s victory in the world squash after a hiatus of four decades.
“Congratulations to Hamza Khan for becoming the World Junior Squash Champion,” the minister said in a tweet. Jan Sher Khan honoured the country in the same way back in 1986, she added.
“May the Almighty make every youth of Pakistan a source of pride for the country,” she said while praying for promotion of sports and games in Pakistan.
چار دہائیوں بعد ایک بارپھر عالمی سکواش میں پاکستان کی فتح پر پوری قوم اور حمزہ خان کو ورلڈ جونئیر سکواش چیمپئین بننے پر بہت مبارک ہو۔ 1986 میں جان شیر خان نے پاکستان کو جو اعزاز دلایا تھا، 37 سال بعد حمزہ خان نے پھر اسے پاکستان کے نام کردیا ہے۔ اللہ تعالی پاکستان کے ہر نوجوان کو… pic.twitter.com/nZwUoTEwbk
— Marriyum Aurangzeb (@Marriyum_A) July 23, 2023
