Champions are born like Artists are born

Posted by: Tanveer Rauf on: October 1, 2014

In: Children and Education
4 Comments

( extreme left sitting is Sabz Parri’s husband, I, Jansher Khan, Qamar Zaman, Mohibullah. Standing are Atlas Khan and his cousins at 8th World Open Championship Karachi)

It is rightly said that champions are born.

Every second person can’t be a champion, no matter how hard he tries. Its God gifted talent that excels with training, commitment and consistent effort.

For many years the name Khan had been synonymous with success in the game of squash.

Jansher Khan born 15 June 1969, in Peshawar, Pakistan is a former World No. 1 professional Squash player from Pakistan. During his career he won the World Open a record eight times and the British Open six times. He won a total of 99 professional titles and was ranked the World No. 1 for over 10 years.

Jansher Khan is considered to be among the sport’s most illustrious figures.

Jansher first came to prominence when as an unknown he won the world junior championship. Two of his older brothers, however, excelled at the sport. Mohibullah, a top touring professional, and then Atlas, a highly rated amateur, competed in the 1970s.

It is an honor and pleasure for me that I know this champion family when they lived with us in Peshawar. His father was a storekeeper on the Pakistan Air Force payroll.

His eldest brother is Khan Sher, then his sister, Sabz Parri (green fairy)

Gulsher Khan, Mohibullah, Atlas and Jansher Khan

They belong to Nawai Kali a small village in Peshawar. Once in winter it rained nonstop for many days. Their mud house failed to resist the torrent rain. The house was filled with rain water. Hence his father brought his family to our home. We had many quarters for staff so they settled there. I was a child then. Having no neighborhood or anyone to play with so felt very delighted to have them in our home. Sabz Parri was my age. We became good friends. Jansher’s mother was a very nice lady. She used to give us crushed ice mixed with sugar in summer afternoons. It used to be a treat for us, the children. She was very modest and caring responsible mother. Though poor having meager income. But she daily washed clothes of her children to keep them clean. Boys usually are careless and spoil their clothes. The mother was very strict. She used to send her sons to Officers’ Mess to help officers by picking up the squash balls for them.

These brothers practiced playing squash after the officers left. This is how they learnt playing squash.

There’s always a woman behind every successful man. The success of their championship is entirely their mother’s effort and support.

I watched his 8^th World Open Champion match live in Karachi Creek Club.

In October 2011, it was revealed that Jansher was suffering from Parkinson. He is being treated in Peshawar. I sincerely pray that he gets well soon and live a happy life again amen.