LONDON: Former world champion Jahangir Khan was among the leading personalities from the world of squash who were honoured at the gala dinner organised during Men’s World Open in Kuwait City.

The gala dinner, including awards ceremony, was hosted by Sheikha Fadyah Al-Sabah, chairman of the higher organising committee of the event, to honour achievements of the sport’s greatest contributors.

Apart from Jahangir, special tributes were paid to Australia’s Geoff Hunt and Sarah Fitz-Gerald, and New Zealand’s Susan Devoy.

Jahangir thanked the organisers and his supporters: ‘Thank you Sheikha Fadyah and all those who have supported me throughout my career.

‘Squash is my passion and it is in my blood.’

Some of the distinguished guests at the ceremony were former president of the World Squash Federation Dato’ Sani Karim, president of the Asian Squash Federation, president of the Arab Squash Federation and chairman of the Professional Squash Association. 

The principal award was the Players’ Player of the Year Award which was given to Amr Shabana who won the World Open title for fourth time. Jahangir handed him the trophy.

Nick Matthew received the men’s player of the year award.

‘I am thrilled to have won this,’ said Matthew.

The women’s player of the year award went to Nicol David, the Malaysian who gained her fourth World Open title last month and this month celebrated her 40th successive month as world number one.

The lifetime achievement award was presented to Australia’s David Palmer. —Agencies