Jahangir Khan Elected World Squash Federation President

Jahangir Khan Elected WSF President

Jahangir Khan, one of the sport’s greatest ever players, has been elected President of the World Squash Federation (WSF) at today’s (Saturday) Annual General Meeting of the Federation in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The 38-year-old from Karachi in Pakistan, a Vice-President for the past four years, succeeds New Zealander Susie Simcock who stands down after serving her maximum terms of six years as Vice-President and six as President. In a close-fought election, Khan beat fellow Vice-President Mike Corby, a former British squash and hockey international, to become the Federation’s seventh President.

Jahangir Khan dominated the sport in the eighties and into the nineties when he won a record 10 British Open and six World Open titles, and also established an unprecedented unbeaten run stretching more than five and a half years. In addition to being the first WSF President from Pakistan, Khan is only the second ever Pakistani to head an international sports federation.

‘It is a great honour to be elected as President of the WSF and I am grateful to all of you for voting for me,’ said Jahangir to the WSF delegates attending the AGM on behalf of its 119 member nations. ‘When I first joined the WSF Management Committee, it was because of my desire to do something productive for the game of squash after my retirement. I will now dedicate myself full-time to the WSF and do my level best to help promote the sport in all corners of the globe.’

Jahangir’s first act in his new role was to invite his predecessor to accept the role of Emeritus President of the WSF: ‘Susie Simcock has been a brilliant leader for our sport over the past six years, earning huge respect for us wherever she has been and winning the hearts of everybody within minutes of their meetings. I know I will be talking to her on a regular basis for advice over the coming months,’ said Jahangir.

All who attended the Kuala Lumpur meeting warmly greeted the new appointment. ‘We take particular pride in learning that Jahangir has been elected to this important position,’ said Jack Herrick and Gawain Briars, Chairman and Executive Director, respectively, of the Professional Squash Association (PSA). ‘In addition to being perhaps the greatest player in the history of the game, he is also a past Chairman of our organisation. With this background, we wish him well in this new endeavour and look forward to working with him in this new WSF role.’

Andrew Shelley, Director of the Women’s International Squash Players’ Association (WISPA) added: ‘It’s great to have a player as leader of the WSF.’ Mr N Ramachandran, President of the Asian Squash Federation said: ‘Electing Jahangir Khan will be a great boost for squash in Asia.’ Wes Barlow, President of Squash Canada, furthermore stated: ‘This a great message to sportsmen and women all over the world – that there is an important role they can provide for their sport once their active careers are over.’

Khan’s appointment coincides with the announcement that the WSF, PSA and WISPA will be investigating joint initiatives to market the sport worldwide in the future.

In addition to Ireland’s Joyce Buckley, who was re-elected, two new Vice-Presidents were also elected at the AGM: Neven Barbour, a past Chairman of New Zealand Squash, continues the New Zealand link with the Management Committee; and Sani Karim, of the Squash Rackets Association of Malaysia. HRH Tunku Imran, a former President and Emeritus President of the WSF from Malaysia, was elected to a new position of Patron.

For further information please contact:

Howard Harding
T: (44) 1737-243333
M: (44) 7773-325130
F: (44) 1737-222787
E: HowHard@aol.com