Pakistan’s once-dominant squash tradition is facing a serious decline, with poor training, weak fitness and a lack of discipline threatening the country’s sporting legacy.
Former world No. 2 Mohibullah Khan has raised concerns about the preparation of young players. He says the commitment seen during Pakistan’s golden era of squash is disappearing.
Mohibullah, who now coaches at Peshawar Sports Complex, compared today’s players with legends such as Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan.
“When Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan were playing, they practised for at least seven hours a day,” he said.
He believes short training sessions are not enough to produce international champions.
Mobile Phones Become a Training Distraction
Mohibullah also criticised the growing use of mobile phones inside squash courts.
He said young players often interrupt training to check their phones or watch social media videos.
He urged the Pakistan Squash Federation and the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Directorate of Sports to ban mobile phones inside squash courts.
According to him, players need complete concentration if they want to compete at the highest level.
He also stressed the importance of physical fitness. Mohibullah believes weak fitness standards have contributed to the decline in Pakistan’s international squash performance.
Golden Generation Trained With Extraordinary Discipline
Mohibullah’s own career reflects the dedication he believes is now missing.
He reached the World Open final in London in 1986 and also reached the British Open final. He won the British Amateur twice, the French Open twice and the Pakistan Open three times.
He also won the Australian Open and Irish Masters.
His commitment to training was so strong that even his wedding day did not interrupt his routine.
He recalled practising while his family waited for him to leave for the wedding ceremony.
Pakistan’s squash dominance was built on similar dedication. Naway Kalay, a village near Peshawar, produced several legendary players, including Hashim Khan, Azam Khan, Roshan Khan, Mohibullah, Qamar Zaman, Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan.
More Courts, But Less Talent
Mohibullah says Pakistan now has more squash courts than in the past, but the quality and use of those facilities remain major concerns.
He recalled how earlier champions trained in difficult conditions because they believed hard preparation made them stronger competitors.
Jahangir and Jansher reportedly preferred a basic Pakistan Air Force court over an air-conditioned facility. They believed tougher conditions helped them prepare for competitions in Britain.
On another occasion, Mohibullah and Qamar Zaman found sports facilities closed during Christmas in London. They used a parking-lot basement and spent hours practising against a wall.
He says such determination is difficult to find among young players today.
“Today, the problem is not a lack of courts but how they are used,” he said.
Overcrowding is another challenge. Mohibullah believes promising players often fail to receive sufficient court time because too many players share limited facilities.
Ageing infrastructure and rising maintenance costs are also putting pressure on squash centres.
Mohibullah said he personally spent around Rs1.5 million renovating two courts.
For Pakistan to revive its squash tradition, he believes the country must focus on disciplined training, fitness, proper facilities and stronger development programmes for young players.
The warning comes as Pakistan tries to recover the international standing once secured by generations of world champions.
