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PESHAWAR, Oct 22 (APP):For young Malaika Khan, a seventh-grade student at Peshawar Model School, visiting the Roshan Khan-Jahangir Khan Squash Complex Peshawar was more than just a school trip but a dream come true.
As she walked through the halls adorned with portraits of Pakistan’s squash royalty comprises Hashim Khan, Roshan Khan, Jahangir Khan, Jansher Khan, Azam Khan, Qamar Zaman, and Atlas Khan, Malaika’s eyes lit up with wonder.
Standing before a striking action photograph of her hero, Jahangir Khan, she felt both awe and inspiration.
“I have heard so much about the legendary Jahangir Khan, but seeing his photo here made it real for me. I am so thankful to my grandfather for bringing me here to see action portraits of iconic Jahangir Khan who ruled over Squash for decades,” Malaika told APP, her voice filled with emotion.
Moved by his legacy, she shared her ambition to pursue squash, inspired by the discipline, professionalism, and unmatched dedication of the man considered the greatest squash player in history.
Born on December 10, 1963, in Karachi, Jahangir Khan was destined for greatness. Coming from a family steeped in squash, his father Roshan Khan was a British Open champion, and his brother Torsam Khan a leading international player.
Jahangir Khan carried the torch higher than anyone before him and won every championship by outclassing all players at global level.
But it was not just lineage that shaped him. It was exemplary discipline and commitment to Squash.
“After the tragic death of his brother Torsam in 1979, Jahangir turned personal sorrow into strength. Determined to honor his brother’s dream, he embarked on a journey of relentless training and focus,” said iconic squash player Qamar Zaman while talking to APP.
Between 1981 and 1986, he said Jahangir remained unbeaten in 555 consecutive matches, a feat that stands as a Guinness World Record and remains unmatched in professional sports history.
“Players like Jahangir Khan are born in centuries. His speed, stamina, and tactical brilliance were simply beyond comparison.”
Jahangir Khan was unbeatable when he entire squash courts as he believed in hardwork and strongly believed in own abilities since its teen age, he said.
At just 17, Jahangir stunned the world by winning the World Open in 1981, becoming the youngest ever world champion. Over the next decade, he won six World Open titles and a record ten British Open titles, cementing his place as squash’s ultimate champion.
What made Jahangir truly exceptional was his grueling work ethic. Training for hours each day by running up hills, lifting weights, and hardwork that transformed into an athlete of extraordinary physical and mental strength.
After retiring in 1993, his journey in squash didn’t end. Jahangir went on to serve as President of the World Squash Federation (2002–2008), advocating for the sport on the global stage and tirelessly campaigning for squash’s inclusion in the Olympic Games.
Though the sport has yet to make its Olympic debut, Jahangir’s influence has been instrumental in raising its profile worldwide.
Jahangir Khan’s contributions have earned him Pakistan’s highest civil honors, including Pride of Performance, Sitara-e-Imtiaz and Hilal-e-Imtiaz.
In August 2024, the United Nations honored him as one of the top athletes of the past 1,000 years, a recognition few in the world can claim.
Malaika’s visit to the squash complex is a testament to the enduring power of Jahangir Khan’s legacy and a great tribute to the world champions.
For her and countless others, his story is more than just trophies and titles but it’s about turning pain into purpose, discipline into dominance, and dreams into reality.
“Squash and Peshawar are inseparable,” she said with pride, adding that the soil of this region has produced players who have made Pakistan shine on the global stage.
She expressed hope that squash would be promoted at the school and college levels, with new courts and academies established across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, especially at divisional headquarters.
Decades after his retirement, Jahangir Khan remains the undisputed king of squash, an icon whose achievements transcend generations.
His name is not just etched in the record books rather it lives on in the hearts of millions, inspiring young players like Malaika to dream, strive, and believe to follow footprints of the legendary Jahangir Khan and raise national flag high in Squash.