PESHAWAR: The funeral of squash legend Hashim Khan was held in absentia at the PAF Hashim Khan Squash Complex here on Tuesday. Hundreds of people, including relatives and fans, attended the funeral.

Noted among participants were Pakistan Squash Federation senior vice president Air Vice Marshal Razi Nawab, squash champions Qamar Zaman and Mohibullah Khan, Air Commodore Waseem Hussain and PAF Sports Control Board director (sports) Group Captain Shahid Nadeem.

Later, participants offered dua for the departed soul.

They expressed deep grief over Hashim Khan’s death and prayed that the Almighty Allah rest the soul in peace and give the bereaved family courage to bear the irreparable loss.

Hashim Khan was born in Peshawar’s Nawakille area, which has produced seven world champions of squash.

One of the great squash players of all times, he died of heart failure after protracted illness in the US at the age of 100.Hashim Khan won the British Open title seven times consecutively from 1951 to 1958.

He also won five British Professional Championship titles, three US Open titles, and three Canadian Open titles in his illustrious career.

AVM Razi Nawab praised Hashim Khan for his services for the promotion of squash.

He said services and contribution of Hashim Khan for Pakistan and the game of squash would never be forgotten and that he would always be a beacon of light for the country’s young squash players.

Published in Dawn, August 20th, 2014