According to a press statement issued by the squash regulating body on Sunday, Jansher Khan, a legendary figure in Pakistani squash, was inducted into the Professional Squash Association (PSA) Hall of Fame during a special induction event at the Hong Kong Football Club.
Khan was honored with Nicol David, the legendary Malaysian squash player who holds the World No. 1 ranking for an unprecedented 108 months.
David and Khan became the third and fourth members of the PSA Hall of Fame, which was established earlier this year to honor the accomplishments of the game’s most significant figures, both past and present, at the event, which took place on the eve of the Hong Kong Squash Open, which took place from December 2 to December 8, according to the press release.
“As the association continues to honor its greatest icons, David and Khan have joined inaugural inductees Susan Devoy and Jahangir Khan in the PSA Hall of Fame,” the statement continued. Devoy is from New Zealand, while Jansher’s countryman is Jahangir.
Jansher Khan was a major contributor to Pakistan’s domination in the sport in the 1980s and 1990s. He set a record of eight World Championship victories in the men’s division and added six British Open wins to his impressive trophy collection.
According to PSA, Khan’s final professional championship total of 99 is the highest of any player since records began, and he was a World No. 1 for 97 months during his career.
“Hong Kong is my second home, and I have played in the Hong Kong Open for many years and have won eight Hong Kong Opens, so it is truly the best place for me,” Khan added. And seeing my old pals in Hong Kong makes me very pleased. Receiving this honor is a privilege.
David, on the other hand, is considered by many to be among the best squash players in history. During her remarkable career, she won an unparalleled eight World Championship championships and held the top spot for an unrivaled 108 months. According to the news release, she also won two gold medals at the Commonwealth Games and five British Open crowns.
One of the Squash for Development initiatives supported by the PSA Foundation is the Nicol David Organization, which David formed after retiring. In 2021, the 41-year-old was revealed as a member of the Laureus World Sports Academy, a recognized organization of 69 athletic greats.
Sometimes you don’t realize how much you’ve accomplished in your squash career until you’re given the chance to be inducted into the Hall of Fame. At that point, you say, “This is it!” David remarked, “And I feel fantastic. It’s such an honor, and I would like to thank PSA for honoring me.”
“A lot of things have happened since I retired, but the most rewarding thing in my life at the moment is running my own charity, the Nicol David Organization. Simply assisting kids via athletics and education benefits communities and even our kids’ families; now, we have the Mothers Program. All of this is because we want to give back, and I feel like squash has taught me a lot of values, which I want to pass on to the next generation.
“Nicol and Jansher are two of the most iconic figures in squash history and have both left a lasting legacy in the sport,” stated PSA Chief Executive Alex Gough.
“Nicol’s record of nine consecutive years at the top of the world rankings will undoubtedly never be surpassed. She inspired countless squash players in Malaysia and around the world.” It was wonderful to see her honored with the post of Deputy Chef de Mission at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games this summer, as she is an amazing ambassador for the sport.
Like Nicol, Jansher’s name will always be associated with squash, and his collection of men’s squash records is just amazing. We are happy that we were able to honor both players.
Current women’s World No. 1 Nour El Sherbini of Egypt paid respect to David by saying: “I am really grateful for this opportunity; it is a privilege to offer my comments. The greatest of all time is Nicol.
“Seeing her was a huge deal, and I never imagined that I would be sharing a court with her.” She is the greatest player of all time and a legend. When I initially walked on her, I thought, “Oh my God, I’m playing Nicol!” and she gave me a serious lesson.
“The game wouldn’t be the same anymore without her. She serves as an inspiration to many, including myself. She is a role model for everyone and is always the greatest at demonstrating her speed both on and off the court. I appreciate you giving me this opportunity, being such a good example, being the kindest person I’ve ever met, supporting everyone, and putting your all into this sport.
“It’s a really special moment for me to stand here as we honor, in my opinion and many others’, the greatest squash player of all time: Jansher Khan,” Men’s World No. 1 Ali Farag, who is also from Egypt, said when introducing Khan.
“Mr. Jansher, I want to express my gratitude to you on behalf of everyone in this room, the squash community, and beyond for a variety of reasons.
“I have been blessed with so many things throughout my squash journey, but being compared to you is definitely one of the greatest honours of my career.
“Tonight, we honor your accomplishments as well as the legacy you have created and left behind.”
Farag also expressed his gratitude and congrats to Jansher for his accomplishments on the court, for motivating upcoming generations of athletes, for showcasing “poetry in motion” to the world, and for going beyond sports.
