Three Generations, One Legacy: Zaman Family Makes Squash History in Pakistan

PESHAWAR: Pakistan’s rich squash history has witnessed another remarkable milestone as three generations of the Zaman family have now been honoured with the President’s Pride of Performance, creating a unique sporting legacy that spans more than four decades.

Legendary British Open champion and former world number one Qamar Zaman, his son and former international star Mansoor Zaman, and now his grandson Noor Zaman have all received the prestigious national honour for their contribution to squash.

The Pakistan Squash Federation officially congratulated Noor Zaman on receiving the President’s Pride of Performance on August 15, 2026, describing the achievement as a historic legacy extending from grandfather to father and now grandson.

The distinction is extraordinary not only because of the individual achievements of the three players, but because the honour has followed three generations of the same family. Qamar Zaman received the Pride of Performance in 1984, Mansoor Zaman was conferred the award in 2016, and Noor Zaman has now become the third generation to receive the prestigious presidential recognition.

For a country that has produced some of the greatest squash players in history, the Zaman family’s achievement represents one of the most remarkable examples of sporting continuity.

Qamar Zaman: The British Open Champion

The story begins with Qamar Zaman, one of Pakistan’s most celebrated squash players and one of the outstanding figures of the sport’s golden era.

Born in Quetta in 1952, Qamar rose to the top of international squash during the 1970s. His greatest triumph came in 1975 when he won the British Open title at Wembley.

Qamar produced one of the most memorable campaigns in the history of the championship. He defeated defending champion Geoff Hunt of Australia in the quarterfinals before overcoming fellow Pakistani Gogi Alauddin in the final, winning 9 7, 9 6, 9 1.

The victory established Qamar as one of the world’s leading squash players. He subsequently reached the British Open final four more times, finishing runner up in 1978, 1979 and 1980 against Geoff Hunt and again in 1984 against another Pakistani great, Jahangir Khan. He also reached four World Open finals.

Qamar also achieved the distinction of becoming world number one. His style of play earned him the famous nickname “The Stroke Master”, a description that reflected his exceptional touch, accuracy and command of the ball.

His career established him as one of the central figures in Pakistan’s extraordinary squash history.

In recognition of his achievements, the Government of Pakistan conferred the President’s Pride of Performance on Qamar Zaman in 1984. The award was a fitting national acknowledgement of a career that had already brought enormous prestige to Pakistan.

Mansoor Zaman: The Second Generation

Qamar’s son Mansoor Zaman inherited not only his father’s passion for squash but also the responsibility of carrying one of Pakistan’s most famous sporting names onto the international stage.

Mansoor established his own identity as a leading professional player and reached a career best world ranking of 11 in May 2003. He competed against many of the world’s top players and represented Pakistan with distinction at major international competitions.

One of his most significant achievements came at the 2002 Asian Games in Busan, where he won the silver medal in men’s singles. Four years later, he added another Asian Games medal by winning bronze at the 2006 Asian Games in Doha.

Mansoor also captured professional titles, including the Governor NWFP International and President Pakistan Squash Federation International in 2007.

His achievements eventually earned national recognition when the Government of Pakistan conferred the President’s Pride of Performance on Mansoor Zaman in 2016 for sports and squash. The official Government of Pakistan press release lists Mansoor Zaman among the recipients of the President’s Award for Pride of Performance in the sports category.

Mansoor’s contribution to squash has continued beyond his playing career. He has remained associated with the development and promotion of the sport and continues to contribute to Pakistan’s junior squash programme.

Noor Zaman: The Third Generation

Today, the family’s legacy is being carried forward by Noor Zaman.

Born in Peshawar in 2004, Noor emerged through Pakistan’s junior squash system and quickly established himself as one of the country’s most promising young players.

His junior career included victory at the 2022 Asian Junior Squash Championships, while he was also part of Pakistan’s men’s team that won the silver medal at the 2022 Asian Games.

But the defining breakthrough of Noor’s career came in 2025, when he became the World Under 23 Squash Champion. The World Squash Under 23 Championship recognised Noor and Egypt’s Amina Aboelkheir as the men’s and women’s champions, marking a major achievement for the Pakistani player.

Noor continued his rise on the Professional Squash Association circuit, winning several PSA titles. His victories included the Liverpool Cricket Club Open, the NASH Cup and the CAS International Squash Championship. His progress took him into the world’s top 40, with a career best ranking of 37 reported in October 2025.

His achievements have now been recognised at the highest national level with the President’s Pride of Performance.

The award makes Noor the third generation of his family to receive the prestigious honour.

“We Made History”

Speaking exclusively to BWtimes, Qamar Zaman expressed deep gratitude and described the achievement as a historic moment for the family.

“Praise be to Allah, we have made history,” Qamar said.

The legendary squash player said the honour was a source of immense pride for the family and thanked everyone who had supported their journey in squash.

He expressed gratitude to the squash community and the Pakistan Squash Federation, acknowledging the role played by officials, coaches, players and supporters in promoting the sport and supporting Pakistani athletes.

Qamar said the family’s recognition carried a responsibility to continue serving Pakistan and promoting squash among the younger generation.

“We have received the Pride of Performance and we will continue to serve Pakistan,” he said.

His remarks reflected the philosophy that has defined the family’s relationship with the sport. For the Zaman family, squash has never been simply a profession. It has become a family tradition and a means of representing Pakistan internationally.

A Legacy Across More Than Four Decades

The timeline of the three awards tells a remarkable story.

Qamar Zaman received the Pride of Performance in 1984, after establishing himself as one of the world’s leading squash players and winning the British Open in 1975.

His son Mansoor received the same national honour in 2016, following an international career that included a world ranking of 11 and Asian Games medals.

Now, in 2026, Noor Zaman has joined his grandfather and father as a recipient of the President’s Pride of Performance.

The three awards span 42 years, from Qamar’s recognition in 1984 to Noor’s recognition in 2026.

Few sporting families can demonstrate such continuity at the highest national level.

More Than a Family Achievement

The Zaman family’s story is also closely connected with the broader history of Pakistani squash.

Pakistan dominated international squash for decades, producing champions such as Hashim Khan, Roshan Khan, Azam Khan, Qamar Zaman, Jahangir Khan and Jansher Khan. The country has won numerous World Open and British Open titles and established itself as one of the greatest squash nations in history.

The Zaman family became an important part of that tradition through Qamar’s British Open triumph, Mansoor’s international career and Noor’s emergence as a world level young champion.

Their story demonstrates how sporting knowledge, discipline and passion can be transferred from one generation to another.

Qamar became a champion during the golden age of squash. Mansoor competed during another highly competitive era and reached the world’s top 11. Noor has entered the professional game at a time when Egyptian dominance has transformed international squash and competition has become increasingly intense.

His World Under 23 title demonstrated that Pakistan still has the talent to challenge the world’s best.

The Future of Pakistani Squash

Noor’s presidential honour comes at an important time for Pakistan squash.

The country is seeking to rebuild its position at the highest levels of international competition, and players such as Noor represent the next generation upon whom that revival depends.

For Qamar Zaman, the journey that began with his historic British Open victory five decades ago has now reached another extraordinary chapter.

His son followed him into international squash.

His grandson has now followed both of them.

And all three have been recognised with the President’s Pride of Performance.

The achievement is therefore much larger than a family celebration. It is a story of Pakistan’s sporting heritage, the endurance of a national squash tradition and the extraordinary ability of one family to remain connected with the sport across three generations.

From Qamar Zaman’s British Open triumph in 1975 to Mansoor Zaman’s international career and Noor Zaman’s World Under 23 championship in 2025, the Zaman name has remained firmly associated with Pakistani squash.

Now, with Noor receiving the President’s Pride of Performance in 2026, three generations have officially joined the same distinguished circle.

For Qamar Zaman, the message is one of gratitude.

For Mansoor Zaman, it is the continuation of a family tradition.

For Noor Zaman, it is both an honour and a responsibility.

And for Pakistan, it is a remarkable sporting legacy that has crossed generations while keeping one ambition alive: to serve the country and restore Pakistani squash to the highest level of the world game.