KARACHI:
“Pakistan squash is again,” exclaimed the commentator on the Melbourne Sports activities Middle because the dashing Muhammad Hamza Khan pulled off one in all best victories for his nation by defeating Egypt’s 15-year-old Mohamed Zakaria 3-1 to elevate the World Junior Squash title in Melbourne on Sunday.
The younger sensation from Peshawar got here from one set right down to win 10-12, 14-12, 11-3, 11-6 and created historical past as he turned the primary Pakistani squash participant within the final 37 years to win the World Squash trophy after Jansher Khan who bagged the title method again in 1986.
Between 1986 and 2023, Amir Atlas emerged as the one participant who got here near repeating Jansher’s feat 15 years in the past by reaching the ultimate of the occasion however fell quick.
Hamza performed like a boy possessed as he matched the proficient Egyptian opponent stroke for stroke.
Regardless of having misplaced the primary set 12-10, Hamza stay undeterred and overcame Zakaria in 71 minutes to elevate the title in type.
“I’m very blissful, due to Allah, due to my coach and my dad and mom,” mentioned Hamza as he was overcome by feelings on the the presentation ceremony.
When the presenter requested him in regards to the strain of the expectations from his household and the nation, he struggled to specific his emotions, “My English isn’t excellent,” he mentioned, ” however i’m actually excited at successful this title.”
The presenter gave confidence to Hamza to talk extra, “Your English may be very excellent.”
Hamza went on to reward his coach and his dad and mom: particularly his father and thanked everybody else for his or her assist.
The previous British Junior Champion has seen some making an attempt occasions however is now setting his eyes on a profitable skilled profession from hereon.
The 17-year-old Hamza hails from a household of legends that embrace British Open winner Qamar Zaman and former world quantity 14 participant Shahid Zaman.
“I’m extremely blissful; it’s a nice achievement for Hamza. I used to be speaking to him and he was crying with pleasure and pleasure as a result of he simply couldn’t consider that he had received the title,” mentioned Hamza’s father Niazullah whereas chatting with The Specific Tribune from Cherat, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. “I really feel this can be a results of Hamza’s expertise and onerous work and the prayers of the Pakistani nation.”
Niazullah was seeing his dream come true as Hamza had lastly been topped the brand new junior champion after a really powerful 12 months that noticed him obtain a 13-week ban from the Skilled Squash Affiliation in February after he had missed a number of worldwide occasions through which he had despatched entries.
Hamza’s journey to the world junior title was a difficult one since initially he had little monetary assist and no sponsors to again him.
However he had lot of religion in his skills and his father assured him that his expertise would get highlighted resulting from his onerous work.
Fortunately, the Military and the Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) got here to Hamza’s rescue and supported him properly. The PSF bore all of the bills of his participation within the World Junior Championship.
“I need to thank the PSF and particularly the Pakistan Military, they supported me loads, and I’m grateful to them with all my coronary heart, and Inshallah I’ll make Pakistan proud all over the place if I preserve getting the identical sort of assist sooner or later,” mentioned Hamza.
Within the remaining, regardless of dropping the primary recreation Hamza saved his cool and slowly however absolutely discovered his ft to play some wonderful pictures within the second recreation to first degree 8-Eight after which taking it 14-12 in opposition to Zakaria.
Hamza,the two-time Asian Junior Championship winner and the previous US U-19 champion, grew in confidence with every passing minute, enjoying fantastically and even difficult the referee at one level.
He confirmed resilience and nerves of metal underneath strain. He led the third recreation 11-Three and wrapped up in type to win the fourth recreation 11-6 and seal the win within the fourth recreation as he fell into prostration proper after elevating his fist in celebration.
Earlier, Hamza defeated his French opponent Melvil Scianimanico 11-8, 11-4, 10-12, 9-11, 13-11 within the semi-final.
It’s value mentioning right here that Hamza had reached Melbourne on July 13 and it was seen that he was taking his time in the course of the matches to get comfy on the courtroom.
He discovered some assist from a Dutch coach, however later father Niazullah’s associates needed to remind Hamza that he ought to follow his attacking recreation to win the title.
In the meantime, Hamza’s coach Tahir Iqbal added that it’s a large achievement for Hamza to win the title and it’ll deliver the federal government’s and the PSF’s consideration to the proficient gamers in Pakistan.
“With Hamza, I’ve fulfilled the dream that I needed to attain for my youthful brother and Pakistan’s primary participant Nasir Iqbal.
“Though Nasir couldn’t do it however Hamza did it, and I’m immensely pleased with him. He received in opposition to the chances, the truth is when he got here to me he was upset, he needed to get again to his greatest recreation as a result of he was not getting an opportunity to compete on the PSA occasions, which is essential for gamers to get world rating,” mentioned Tahir, who skilled Hamza for 3 months earlier than the event, whereas Military coach took him underneath his wing in the direction of the final month earlier than the occasion.
He added that like Egypt’s nice Ramy Ashour Hamza has the identical spectacular high quality to alter the way in which squash is performed.
“Hamza has extraordinary expertise, the identical high quality that Ramy had, he’ll change the sport, he has pure ability and bodily energy,” mentioned Tahir.
Hamza skilled in Peshawar with Tahir, who works on the Directorate Basic of Sports activities KPK. Tahir believes that expertise like Hamza’s should get correct coaching overseas.
“The hot button is to get sponsorships for the gamers in order that they’ll compete on the skilled occasions, there must be a long-term plan for them, and there should be alternatives for them, proper now there are none, however I hope that this win can change it,” mentioned Tahir.
Whereas Hamza is in Australia, his father Niazullah mentioned that the teen should compete within the skilled occasions comparable to Costa North Coast Open Coffs Harbour 2023 that may start on August 16.
“It’s exceedingly troublesome now for us to rearrange for the journey, so we’re ensuring that he srays in Australia and will get the chance to play at this occasion since he’s already there in Australia.
“Hamza will return to Pakistan on August 21,” mentioned Niazullah.
In the meantime, the Pakistan Olympic Affiliation (POA) additionally congratulated Hamza Khan for his stellar efficiency on the World Junior Squash Championship in Melbourne.
The POA President Lt Syed Arif Hasan (Retd) and Secretary Muhammad Khalid Mehmood mentioned, “Nicely accomplished Hamza” and lauded his coach in a letter written to the Pakistan Squash Federation President Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babar.