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.