The
surname Khan has been identified internationally with squash over the last
half of the 20th century. And although Hashim Khan has been labelled by
the New Yorker as “... the greatest athlete for his age the world has ever
seen,” his son Sharif, winner of the North American Squash Championship
a record setting 15 times, was often considered, during his prime, the
Jerry West or Jack Nicklaus or Joe Namath or the Bobby Orr of squash. Born
in Peshawar, Pakistan, 1945, Sharif attended Millfield Academy, England,
moved to Detroit, 1967, upon graduation, to be with his father, the professional
at the Uptown Athletic Club. Sharif moved to Toronto the next year, gaining
employment as professional at the Skyline Racquet Club. He continued playing
from Toronto, his home base, retiring from competition, 1982. Today he
is Master Pro, The Racquet & Fitness Academy, Etobicoke, Ontario. He
is also Director, the Sharif Khan Children’s Squash Foundation affiliated
with both the Big Brothers and Sisters of Peel. Eight members of the Khan
family have combined to win 29 British Open titles. Sharif hopes that his
daughter Sheena Mahria, age 17, will continue to add to the Khan Dynasty
in World Squash. [Photo, courtesy Sharif and Karen Khan]