Hashim
Khan,
the father figure of modern squash, has died just a month after
celebrating what was believed to be his 100th birthday.
Born
near Peshawar in Pakistan (allegedly on 1 July 1914, but he never had a
birth certificate), Khan led his country's pre-eminent status in the
sport in the 20th century. In the 1950s he won a then record seven
British Open titles - his first in 1951 at an age when most players
retire.
He
moved to the USA in the 1960s and died at his home in Colorado on Monday
night. He had been based at the Denver Athletic Club and was still
dispensing advice from the gallery after he finally hung up his rackets
aged 93.
"The
world just lost the greatest player of all time," Mo Khan, the
youngest of Khan's 12 children told Pakistan News International. "He's
going to be remembered for his sportsmanship and for what a wonderful
man he was. He loved his family first and loved the game of squash and
everyone that played the game. He was one of a kind."
World
Squash Federation N Ramachandran
said: "After a wonderfully long and active life we are now left with
memories of a great champion, a great man who has made a wonderful
contribution to squash. Hashim's passing has taken somebody so special
from us. As we remember him we send our condolences and best wishes to
his family at this very sad time."
