Squash: Jahangir Plodding on
Squash legend Jahangir Khan, who enjoyed the longest unbeaten run in professional sports – five years and eight months – has lost his trim muscular figure but not his zest for life.
Ever ready with a smile and a steely determination to make squash the people’s game, Jahangir is perhaps one of the nicest person you can meet – off the court that is.
On the court, he can be deadly as he proved during his incredible unbeaten run which involved over 800 matches, in which time Jahangir amassed six World Open titles and 10 consecutive British Open crowns.
Famed for his fitness regime, determination and skill, he took squash to a new level and was fittingly named Pakistan’s Sportsman of the Millennium two years ago.
Jahangir is in Kuala Lumpur for the World Squash Federation (WSF) annual general meeting.
On Friday, he took time off from his busy schedule to play an exhibition match with Squash Rackets Association of Malaysia (SRAM) acting president Datuk Mokhzani Mahathir during the MPPJ Open.
The Pakistani also had several impromptu matches with some of the players from the MPPJ development project.
“I am surprised that these kids still remember me even though I retired nine years ago,” he said modestly.
"It is good that there is such a programme in Malaysia where you start the kids off at an early age.
“That is the way to go if you want to build champions.” Asked which of his achievements he considers the greatest of his career, Jahangir or JK to those in the squash fraternity, gave a wry smile.
“Every one of them was important to me. They were special in different ways,” said Jahangir, who first visited Malaysia as a scrawny 14-year-old back in 1978.
**"Going undefeated for nearly six years showed a level of consistency as it involved more than 800 matches.
"And considering every player was gunning for me, the unbeaten run was even more incredible.
"I think it was because I was always willing to go the extra mile during training and that I never gave up easily that I got that far in the game.
“Similarly, winning 10 consecutive British Open titles is another feat which I doubt will be broken.”**
“I have so many happy memories from squash but I have regrets as well.” Perhaps the biggest two could be that I never got to play in the Asian Games or the Commonwealth Games.
“I also feel the sport should be in the Olympics and this is something the WSF are working at.” Jahangir’s road to success began with a family tragedy.
His brother, coach and mentor Torsam died tragically on court and this changed Jahangir’s life. He said he achieved all his feats because of a burning desire to honour Torsam.
Jahangir admitted losing his brother was a huge shock and he did not play for nearly four months until his family convinced him that playing was the best way to keep Torsam’s memory alive.
In 1980 Jahangir returned to London, where he had been living with Torsam, and started working with his cousin Rahmat. They trained day and night as a new squash legend began to tke shape.
In 1981, Australia’s Geoff Hunt took nearly three hours to defeat Jahangir but that was to be his last defeat for 68 months.
It was at the final of the 1986 World Open that the unbeaten run came to a crashing end at the hands of New Zealand’s Ross Norman.
“In a way, it was a relief as I knew the record could not go on forever,” said Jahangir, who is also an accomplished cricketer.
Following his retirement, Jahangir had a number of occupations, including giving coaching lessons to the Brunei royal family.
He also owns a chain of ice-cream stores, was involved in the property business and gave exhibitions in Europe, the US and Asia.
He also held high posts in the Pakistan International Airlines, the Pakistan Squash Federation as well as the WSF.
Asked what his wish for the future is, Jahangir said: "Besides getting the sport into the Olympics, I want to see more people from all walks of life from the different continents playing the game.
“Looking at the world rankings, it is good to see that there are many players from different countries on the list.” He said the coaching and development of the sport in this region has changed since his days.
Jahangir also said he is happy more money is coming into the game, although it can’t rival what the tennis players earn.
“The game has changed a lot since my days but I don’t begrudge the current players what they earn as I did make a comfortable living,” he said.
“Squash is not a television friendly sport and that perhaps is why the money is not as large as it is in tennis.”
“Hopefully, the all-glass courts will help bring more spectators to the game and draw in the sponsors.” The goals for the sport may be lofty but coming from someone who created milestone after milestone, it would be no surprise if Jahangir’s dreams all come true.
