U-23 Squash C'ship: Pakistan hosts major squash event in decades
Listen to article
Pakistan is all set to host the first-ever Under-23 World Squash Championship which starts from tomorrow (Sunday) April 6-10 at DHA Creek Club Squash Stadium.
32 countries will be participating in what will be the first major squash event in Pakistan after decades. This is the first time the world governing body is organising a World Championship in this age group.
Since squash has been included in the 2028 Summer Olympics, this World event will allow top players to participate in the Olympic Games.
Pakistan has a glorious history in squash, with legends like Jahangir Khan, Hashim Khan, and Jansher Khan, and most recently, Hamza Khan, who won the World Junior Squash Championship in 2023.
Pakistan has hosted a number of international tournaments and has many professional training centers around the country. Pakistan reached its peak in the 1980s and 1990s during the reigns of Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan.
Both players won many laurels for the country. Jansher won the World Open eight times and the British Open six times. He was ranked number 1 in the world for six years.
Jahangir Khan is easily the greatest professional squash player of all time with an unofficial record of having 555-game winning streak. Between 1950 and 1997, Pakistan amassed over 30 British Open titles, 14 World Open titles and many more titles.
Last week, Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, on behalf of the Sindh government, handed over a cheque for Rs30 million to Adnan Asad, an official of Sindh Squash Champion, in support of the upcoming Under-23 World Squash Championship.
Speaking at a press conference alongside Sports Secretary, Abdul Aleem Lashari and Adnan Asad, Sharjeel reaffirmed the Sindh government's commitment to promoting sports and enhancing Pakistan's global image through such initiatives.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
30-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Noor Zaman qualifies for British Open Squash Championship main round
Pakistan's Noor Zaman has qualified for the main draw of the British Open Squash Championship, continuing his strong performance on the professional circuit. The reigning World Under-23 Squash champion secured his place in the prestigious England tournament after defeating Egypt's Kareem El Torkey 11-5, 11-8, 3-11, 11-7 in a 46-minute qualifying final. Result: GillenMarkets British Open 2025 Men's Qualifying Finals 🇵🇰 Noor Zaman beats [3] Kareem El Torkey 🇪🇬 3-1: 11-5, 11-8, 3-11, 11-7 (46m)#BritishOpen — British Open (@BritOpenSquash) May 29, 2025 Earlier, Zaman defeated England's Will Salter 3-1 (10-12, 11-2, 11-5, 11-3) in 42 minutes, followed by a thrilling 3-1 victory over Adrian Waller (9-11, 11-6, 11-7, 14-12) in a 59-minute match. Zaman, seeded 10th in the qualifiers, is the first Pakistani player to reach the British Open main round since 2022. He will face England's Curtis Malik in the first round on Sunday. Tayyab Aslam was the last Pakistani to compete in the main draw in 2022. Pakistan holds the record for the most British Open titles — 30 in total — including 10 won by legendary Jahangir Khan. Zaman's consistent performances underscore his rising prominence in international squash.
Express Tribune
28-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Namibia to play South Africa for first time
Namibia will host South Africa for a historic first meeting between the two sides to mark the official opening of their new ground in Windhoek. The one-off T20I will take place on October 11. Importantly, it will commemorate the opening of Cricket Namibia's first official stadium - previously internationals took place at the Wanderers, also in Windhoek, which is a club ground. The new ground will host the matches during the 2026 Under-19 Men's World Cup and the 2027 Men's ODI World Cup. Namibia is the co-host for the Under-19 World Cup with Zimbabwe and for the ODI World Cup with Zimbabwe and South Africa. The ground has been under construction since 2021 and will have a capacity of 7000. It is also the home of Namibia's high-performance centre. "This truly is a memorable occasion," Johann Muller, Cricket Namibia CEO, said in a statement. "The new ground has been a dream for the last four years and has finally materialised. A match against our neighbours, and one of the top cricketing countries in the world, is the perfect way to open this world-class facility." Despite being neighbours, South Africa have never played an international against Namibia, at bilateral or tournament level, and the trip across the western border indicates the growth in relations in cricket on the continent. South Africa and Zimbabwe are both playing a significant role at the African Cricket Association and there are talks of increased fixtures, such as this one, to grow the game. South Africa will also travel to Zimbabwe for the first time in 11 years later this year to play two Tests and a T20I tri-series. "We are honoured to be part of this historic occasion," Pholesti Moseki, CSA CEO, said. "Namibia are a competitive side, and this fixture reflects the growing strength of cricket on the continent. As a fellow African cricketing nation and the host of the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2027, we are proud to support the official opening of this new cricket ground, which will be one of the host venues of the tournament." By the time the match takes place, Namibia will have also competed in the Africa T20 World Cup Qualifier in Zimbabwe, where there are two spots available for next year's T20 World Cup in India and Sri Lanka. Namibia have played in the last three T20 World Cups, and their highest profile win was over Sri Lanka in Geelong in 2022.
Express Tribune
27-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Mary Lou Retton DUI: Former Gold-medalist Olympian arrested in West Virginia
Former Olympic gymnast Mary Lou Retton was arrested in Fairmont, West Virginia on May 17, 2025, on a driving under the influence (DUI) charge. Retton, 57, faces one misdemeanor count for allegedly driving while under the influence of alcohol, controlled substances, or drugs. Court records show that Retton was granted a $1,500 personal recognizance bond, which she posted. The arrest took place in Marion County, where the former gymnast resides. Retton is best known for her historic performance at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, where she became the first American woman to win the all-around gymnastics gold medal. In addition, she earned two silver medals and two bronze medals during the competition. Her achievements have made her a household name in the world of gymnastics. This incident comes after Retton made headlines in 2023 when she was admitted to an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) for pneumonia. During her health battle, her daughter set up a crowdfunding campaign to help cover medical expenses, which raised over $200,000 in just one day. The campaign, however, faced criticism over the lack of insurance coverage for the medical costs. Retton was later released from the hospital following her recovery. Retton's arrest marks a new chapter in her life, adding to the challenges she has faced in recent years. The former gymnast has not yet commented publicly on the DUI charge.
