Tributes poured in from sport followers for Hashim Khan, one of the greatest squash players of all time, Khan believed to be 100 died of congestive heart failure Monday night in Colorado, USA.
Khan was the patriarch of Pakistan’s squash supremacy, winning seven British Open titles, including his first in 1951 at an age when most players retire. Khan brought his family to the United States in the early 1960s after being offered a lucrative deal to teach squash in Detroit. He later took a pro position in Denver and played the game into his 90s.
“The world just lost the greatest player of all time,” said Mo Khan, the youngest of 12 kids. “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.”
Hashim Khan also served as mentor and coach to 4th head of Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Mirza Tahir Ahmad who loved playing squash. His Hoiness was attending the London School of Oriental and African Studies at the time when he came in contact with Khan. His Holiness also attended many of his matches including the British Open finals, in which Hashim was victorious.
More than winning, Khan was known for sportsmanship — always allowing an opponent to leave the court first. He was all about respect.