The 2024 Milwaukee Hong Kong Squash Open kicked off in glittering style tonight with an opening reception that saw two Squash Legends enrolled in the PSA Hall of Fame.
Held at the function rooms in Hong Kong Football Club – where the WSF World Teams will take place immediately after the Open – the world’s top players were welcomed to Hong Kong by Mr. David Mui, MH JP, the President of Squash Association of Hong Kong, China.
Two legends of Squash were inducted into the PSA Hall of Fame – Malaysia’s Nicol David and Pakistan’s Jansher Khan.
David, the eight-time World Champion who won the Hong Kong Open ten times in a row – eleven if you include the World Open title she won here – was introduced by current World #1 Nour El Sherbini.
Khan, who won 99 career titles including eight World Opens and six British Opens and was world #1 for over a decade, was introduced by current men’s #1 Ali Farag.
Both inductees were interviewed by PSA’s Lee Beachill – himself a former World #1.
David became emotional as she recalled her time in squash and her journey since in providing opportunities for juniors in Malaysia, while Beachill admitted to being the most nervous he’d ever been in interviewing Jansher.
“After doing so much in my squash career, you sometimes don’t realise how much you’ve done until the moment when you are given this opportunity to be recognised in a hall of fame,” said David. “That’s when you go ‘This is it!’
“And I I feel amazing, it’s such an honour and I would like to thank PSA for honouring me.
“Since I retired a lot of things have happened; having my own foundation, the Nicol David Organisation, that has been the most fulfilling thing in my life right now. Just helping children through sport and education helping communities and even the families of our children, now we have the Mothers Program. All because we want to give back and I feel squash has given me so much and all the values I’ve learned I want to channel it back to our next generation.”
Khan said : “I feel very happy because Hong Kong is my second home and I played the Hong Kong Open for many years and I won eight Hong Kong Opens, so Hong Kong is really, for me, it is the best place. And I’m very happy to come to Hong Kong see my old friends. It’s an honour to get this award.”
PSA Chief Executive Alex Gough said: “Nicol and Jansher are two of the most iconic figures in the history of squash and have both left a lasting legacy in the sport.
“Nicol inspired so many squash players – in Malaysia and across the globe – and her record of nine unbroken years at the summit of the world rankings will surely never be bettered. She is a fantastic ambassador for the sport and it was fantastic to see her honoured with the title of Deputy Chef de Mission at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games this summer.
“Like Nicol, Jansher’s name will forever be linked to squash and the records he has amassed across the men’s game are nothing short of incredible. We are pleased to have had the opportunity to celebrate both players.”
David and Khan join inaugural inductees Susan Devoy and Jahangir Khan in the PSA Hall of Fame as the association continues to celebrate its greatest icons.
Honorable guests included Mr. Stephan Horst Pudwill, Vice Chairman of Techtronic Industries Company Limited, Mr. Alex Gough, CEO of PSA, Mr. John Wong and Mr. Cedric Tyen, Vice Chairman and Honorary Secretary of Squash Association of Hong Kong, China, and gold sponsors representatives also attended the event.
Lots more Photos in today’s Gallery
