Squash little master Hamza Khan gets hero's welcome on return home

WSF says ESF submitted request to verify age of 17-year-old Hamza

ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - World Junior Squash Champion Hamza Khan was accorded a very warm welcome on his homecoming at the Islamabad airport on Tuesday after a historic win in championship held in Melbourne, Australia last month. 

Senior Vice President of the Pakistan Squash Federation, Air Vice Marshal Kazim Hammad, received the young squash hero upon his homecoming after achieving the remarkable feat.

In the final match of the grand tournament, the teenage athlete beat Egypt's Mohamed Zakaria with a scoreline of 10-12, 14-12, 11-3, and 11-6.

Hamza made a remarkable comeback despite losing the first game and won three consecutive games. His achievement is significant as he became the first Pakistani player to claim the title since Jansher Khan, who achieved the feat 37 years ago.

Meanwhile, World Squash Federation (WSF) confirmed on July 28 that they received concern over Hamza’s age from Egyptian Squash Federation (ESF).

In a statement, WSF said that ESF submitted a request to verify the age of 17-year-old Hamza.

"Prior to all WSF-sanctioned junior events, players must submit their passport and Squash Personal Identification Number (SPIN) to prove identity, nationality and age,

"As the recognised International Federation of the sport, the WSF has a responsibility to fully investigate the request from the Egyptian Squash Federation. There will be no further comment until the investigation is complete," the statement read.

Meanwhile, an official of the Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF) has said that the PSF is a professional organisation and it conducts all required tests before sending a player to any age-group event.

“Like any other event, Hamza Khan’s age was medically tested before he was nominated for World Junior Squash Championship,” said Zafaryab Iqbal, secretary of PSF.