Serena Hotels and the Pakistan Squash Federation celebrate Hamza Khan’s historic win,
ISLAMABAD– Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday received World Junior Squash Champion Hamza Khan here and also awarded him a cheque of Rs1 million for his acknowledgment.
Hamza Khan appreciated the prime minister as well as the cooperation he received from the Pakistan Squash Federation.
The prime minister, who also interacted with Hamza’s parents in the Pashtu language, congratulated Hamza Khan for winning the World Junior Squash Championship held recently in Australia.
Calling the youth like Hamza the pride and asset of the nation, the prime minister said Hamza made the whole nation including himself proud by winning such a title after decades.
Recalling his experience of playing squash and calling it the best game, the prime minister expressed the hope that Hamza would continue to work hard to win the senior world title.
He said Hamza was a role model for Pakistan’s youth and that he always strived for providing the sports facilities of international facilities to the youth.
He said recently, the government launched national sports initiatives for the promotion of sports activities in the country and the uplift of the players.
The establishment of the first sports university and providing technical and financial support to train the youth in the sports sector was also part of the very initiative.
The meeting was also attended by Hamza’s father Niazullah Khan, his mother, Inter-provincial coordination Minister Ihsanullah Mazari, SAPM Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Secretary Inter-provincial Coordination Hanif Orakzai, Senior Vice President of Pakistan Squash Federation Air Vice Marshal Kazim Hammad.
Earlier,
Despite all odds, our youth has always made us proud by showing their resilience and determination to succeed. Pakistan’s Hamza Khan won the World Junior Squash Championship in Melbourne on Sunday, a feat which was last accomplished by Jansher Khan in 1986. In an epic finale against his Egyptian opponent Mohamed Zakaria, Hamza scored 10-12, 14-12, 11-3, and 11-6 by bringing the title of World Champion back to Pakistan after 37 years, creating history and motivating thousands of young players across the country.
In a ceremony hosted by Serena Hotels under its sports diplomacy initiative partnering with the Pakistan Squash Federation, Senior Vice President, Air Vice Marshal, Mr. Kazim Hammad, was the chief guest on the auspicious occasion, and he presented Hamza Khan with the Trophy along with his family making it even more special for the young athlete.
Hamza Khan has accomplished so much while facing a lot of difficulties in his career at an extremely young age and has made the whole nation proud, commented Group Captain Mr. Zafaryab Khan, the Honourary Secretary of Pakistan Squash Federation, congratulated Hamza, and his family for his momentous win. The evening was graced by media colleagues, senior government officials, the corporate community, and other notable members of society. The evening was an ode to Hamza, his resilience, and his accomplishments against all odds.
