Sore losers: Egypt seeks verification of World Junior Squash champion Hamza Khan's age

In a stunning development, the Egyptian Squash Federation (ESF) has submitted a formal request to the World Squash Federation (WSF) for the verification of the age of the recently crowned World Junior Squash champion, Hamza Khan.

The WSF, the recognized International Federation for the sport, issued a statement on Thursday acknowledging the concerns raised by the ESF over the 17-year-old's age.

Hamza Khan achieved a remarkable victory over Egyptian participant Mohamed Zakaria in the World Junior Championship, which has now sparked a heated controversy surrounding his eligibility for the tournament.

According to WSF regulations, prior to any WSF-sanctioned junior events, players are required to provide their passport and Squash Personal Identification Number (SPIN) to prove their identity, nationality, and age.

As the governing body of international squash, the WSF takes its responsibility seriously and has committed to conducting a thorough investigation into the matter. The WSF's statement emphasized that no further comments will be made until the investigation is complete.

Responding to the allegations, an official from the Pakistan Squash Federation (PSF), Zafaryab Iqbal, defended the integrity of the organization and asserted that all necessary tests were carried out before nominating Hamza Khan for the World Junior Squash Championship. Zafaryab stated that Hamza Khan's age was medically verified with proper documentation, making him eligible to compete in the prestigious tournament.

So far, the WSF has not made a formal contact with the PSF regarding the age verification issue. However, the PSF stands ready to cooperate and respond appropriately when the communication is initiated.

In the midst of the controversy, Hamza Khan's father, Niaz Khan, has come forward to confirm his son's date of birth as November 2, 2005. This confirmation indicates that Hamza is not even 18 years old yet.