Hamza wins title as Pakistan sweeps top 3 slots of US Junior Open Squash C’ship

Pakistan’s British Open Junior Champion Hamza Khan Wednesday continued his sublime run as he clinched US Junior Open Squash Championship-2021 after defeating compatriot Noor Zaman Khan in the final.

Hamza Khan defeated Noor 31- in the final which was played in Philadelphia.

It was a delightful day for Pakistan squash as Pakistan managed to win all three medals on offer in the U-19 category as Gold went to Hamza, silver to Noor and in the 3rd/4th position match, Haris Qasim beat local lad Tad Carney 3-1 to win the bronze medal.

Hamza, who is enjoying lucrative sponsorship from Jahanzeb Masood and also from his uncle Shahid Zaman Khan and getting training in the USA had no financial issues nor he is bothered about expenditures and had too many options to prolong his stay in the USA.

It is almost certain that Hamza, who was heavily invested by Pakistan Squash Federation may turn his back towards Pakistan, while on the other hand, Noor not only had to purchase his ticket but also had to arrange residence and had to deal with other issues as well.

Talking exclusively to this correspondent, former world squash champion and grandfather of Noor Zaman, Qamar Zaman Khan said: “Noor just lacks facilities otherwise he is champion material. I am not saying this because he is my grandson but because I had trained him and I know his positives and negatives. Pakistan Squash Federation had promised me to look after Noor and other bright prospects, but these are only promises and nothing practical has been done yet. Hamza have too many at his back to support him and I can guarantee, if provided with international exposure and proper facilities, Noor can win a lot of laurels for Pakistan.”

Qamar said: “I also had offers from Jahanzeb and others to sponsor Noor and he could stay in the US, but I declined as I want Noor to serve Pakistan. We had given our all to this country, it is not possible that my family prefer money over the country. But if the federation doesn’t provide promised things, then Noor and others don’t have many options. Noor lacks mental toughness at this level or else he could have easily beaten Hamza. Anyways, congratulations to Hamza and Haris as this victory is actually Pakistan’s victory. I hope Hamza and others come and represent Pakistan in the years to come so that the lost glory days of Pakistan squash could be witnessed again.”

While talking exclusively to 24Digital, Jamshed Gul Khan, former Pakistan national squash team coach from Philadelphia said: “Noor failed to handle pressure. The way he had played the entire event is a remarkable story. I had been sitting with him and I had watched him playing top-class squash. Hamza is fortunate he had a relatively easy draw and when it mattered most, Noor couldn’t take his game to the next level. But I am more than satisfied with Noor’s progress, yes it would have been icing on the cake had Noor lifted the title, but sometimes things don’t go according to plan.”

He further said: “Pakistani youngsters had bright future ahead and if the federation manages to keep hold to youngsters, provide them with international exposure, arrange top-quality coaches for them, conduct junior tournaments in Pakistan in which top international players participation is ensured, trust me, I had very little doubt about the quality and talent available in Pakistan,” he concluded.

In the first game, Hamza was in sublime form. He never let Noor settle down and took the game 11-3. The second game was the best of the entire championship as a battle royale was witnessed by a massive crowd. Both Hamza and Noor were involved in top class squash and were showing desire and hunger and why they were the two top junior players of Pakistan. After some tough and quality squash, it was Noor, who prevailed and took the game 14-12.

But after playing so well in the second game, Noor once again committed too many childish mistakes, which allowed Hamza to take third game 11-8. It was all Hamza in the 4th game, as he never let Noor show his natural game and forced Noor to commit uncharacteristic mistakes. Hamza won the 4th game 11-5, thus adding another feather to his decorated crown, as Hamza had won the British Junior U-17 title in 2019.

In the third place match, Haris Qasim braves tough resistance from Tad before winning the match 3-1. Haris took the first game 11-5, he lost second game 9-11, before winning the third game 11-9 and 4th game 11-5 to clean sweep the first three positions for Pakistan.