In an era where squash in Pakistan has struggled to reclaim the glory of its golden years, one man has remained steadfastly committed to nurturing the next generation of champions, Muhammad Naveed Alam. This week, his relentless service received the recognition it long deserved.

At a heartfelt farewell ceremony held at the Pakistan Navy Roshan Khan Jahangir Khan Squash Complex, Alam was honoured with the Best Coach Award, a Lifetime Family Membership, and the profound acknowledgement of legends, players and officials whose careers he touched.

The honour was formally conferred by Lt Commander Muhammad Umar, who offered a moving tribute to the coach’s discipline and devotion. “He worked like crazy,” Lt Commander Umar remarked, describing Alam’s habit of staying in the courts long after lights dimmed and the crowd thinned. “His only focus was to elevate squash through the Pakistan Navy Roshan Khan Jahangir Khan Squash Complex. His dedication and discipline are truly commendable.”

Yet the admiration did not stop there. The moment reached its emotional peak when squash icon Jahangir Khan, a name synonymous with global dominance, presented Naveed Alam with the Best Coach Award. The gesture carried a weight that words could barely match. “Naveed Alam’s work is recognised in the highest way,” Jahangir Khan said. “He has done remarkable things for the Complex and for the development of squash in Pakistan. I wish him all the best for the future.”

To understand the magnitude of this honour, one must understand Naveed Alam. Soft-spoken yet uncompromising in training, humble yet fierce in ambition for his players, Alam represents a breed of coaches who build empires not through noise, but through quiet, consistent excellence.

For over a decade, he served as one of the central pillars of the Pakistan Navy Roshan Khan Jahangir Khan Squash Complex, an institution named after two titans of the sport, Roshan Khan and Jahangir Khan. The Complex itself stands as one of the country’s premier squash facilities, renowned for producing elite athletes, hosting national and international tournaments, and functioning as a hub of high-performance training for Pakistan Navy athletes and civilian players alike.

Within these walls, Naveed Alam carved out a reputation as a master craftsman of talent. His methods were rooted in discipline, fitness, mental toughness, and a near-obsessive attention to detail. Unlike many coaches, Alam did not merely train bodies, he cultivated minds.

Several of Pakistan’s most promising young players attribute their rise to his foresight and hard work. Among them:

Huzaifa Ibrahim: US Junior Champion, known for his explosive movement and aggressive style, shaped heavily by Alam’s endurance-focused training regimens.

Zaynab Khan: National Women’s Champion, whose tactical maturity and controlled play reflect countless hours under Alam’s guidance.

Huzaifa Shahid: Winner of multiple international titles, and widely regarded as one of the most disciplined juniors to emerge in recent years under Alam’s mentorship.

For these athletes, Alam was more than a coach, he was a mentor, motivator and steady anchor in the unpredictable world of competitive sports.

Beyond coaching, Naveed Alam’s contributions extended to the administrative and operational heart of the Complex. He successfully organised and directed numerous national and international tournaments, balancing the roles of coach, event planner and tournament director with effortless professionalism.

In doing so, he strengthened not just the careers of individual players but the structural integrity of squash within the Pakistan Navy, ensuring continuity, visibility, and the growth of competitive pathways.

As someone who has covered sports for years, I believe the honour bestowed upon Naveed Alam carries deeper significance. It is a statement that Pakistan still values educators, builders and mentors, those who work behind the scenes, far from the limelight.

In a country rich with squash history but often short on modern systems, Naveed Alam became the bridge between legacy and future. His recognition is not just a farewell gesture, it is an affirmation that excellence does not go unnoticed.

For Pakistan squash, this is a reminder of what is possible when institutions support the right people. For the Complex, it is a proud moment that reinforces its identity as a powerhouse of sporting development. And for Alam, it marks the beginning of a new chapter, backed by the respect and gratitude of a community he shaped with unwavering devotion.

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