THE squash fraternity is rejoicing the return of international circuit to Pakistan in general and to Karachi in particular after layoff spread over a considerable period of time.

The Karachiites who have witnessed top class players of the world in action in the past were deprived for years after 9/11 due to security concerns. The courts have become empty and were used for domestic events.

The return of international squash has not only heralded a new dawn for the game but at the same time also turned the clock back when there used to be lot of activities involving foreign stalwarts at the then PIA Sports Complex.

Like the Pakistan Air Force (PAF), the national carrier has played a vital role in grooming budding youngsters into world champions through its colt’s scheme. Legendary Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan, who have gone through the mill under the same scheme, reached the zenith.

The two JK’s followed the footsteps of illustrious Hashim Khan and Roshan Khan who had ruled the game in fifties and sixties.

I remember visiting the PIA Sports Complex when the department was in its infancy and former Test cricketer M. E. Z. Ghazali was General Manager Sports. There were round stairs in one corner of the building that lead to Ghazali’s office and Faizul Hasan, who is now settled in the US, used to greet visiting sports journalists. It was exactly four decades ago.

Things changed after sometime and the then PIA chairman retired Air Marshal Nur Khan appointed retired Brig M. H. Atif as director sports. The PIA colt’s scheme was the brainchild of these two gentlemen that yielded fruitful results in many disciplines. At least 10 players of the Pakistan hockey team that won the 1984 Olympics at Los Angeles belonged to PIA Colts.

All squash greats including Geoff Hunt, Chris Dittmar, Ross Norman, Rodney Martin, David Palmer, Qamar Zaman, Mohibullah, Rehmat Khan, Hiddy Jehan, Zarak Jehan and Maqsood Ahmed among others, exhibited their acumen at the PIA Sports Complex.

Pakistan had the honour of playing host to the World Open at the PIA Sports Complex in 1984 and again World Open and World Team championships at the Asif Nawaz Squash Complex, DA Creek Club, in 1993.

Pakistan once again hosted the men’s World Team championship at Islamabad in 2005.

The back-to-back world events (individual and team) marked the inauguration of the Asif Nawaz Squash Complex. It was a happy augury for Pakistan as it clinched both the world titles.

The World Open title ended in a blaze of glory for Jansher who got the better of Jahangir 14-15, 15-9, 15-5, 15-5 in an all-Pakistan final. Jahangir bade adieu to the game after the world events and hanged his racket.

The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) had also helped promote the game in a befitting way with its senior officer Mohib-e-Hasnain being livewire then.

A word of tribute is due to my senior colleague in Dawn the late A. Majid Khan, who religiously covered squash and had a played a key role in its promotion. The late GM Sports PIA Hasan Musa, the former Sindh Squash Association (SSA) secretary late Riaz Ahmed and late Munawwar Karamat have also worked with dedication besides Adil Ahmed.

Today there’s a new team working under the guidance of Jahangir Khan and trying to revive international activities of the game at home and in the city. The Pakistan squash circuit which begins on Tuesday is a step in the same direction.

Pakistan eagerly awaits the time when another Jahangir or Jansher will be born to steer the country to the top of the world ladder in the game again.

Published in Dawn, November 19th, 2018