67 Squash Golds Break Barriers in Peshawar

News Desk

Islamabad: A story of grit, dreams, and gold unfolds in the narrow streets of Peshawar. Three sisters, Mehwish Ali, Sehrish Ali, and Mah Noor Ali, have stunned Pakistan with their 67 gold medals across national and international tournaments.

The journey of these sisters with squash rackets and burning ambition was not paved with privilege. It began when their mother, Naila Rani, sold her sixteen tola gold to fund their training.

In 2024 alone, these sisters secured 16 gold medals.This set a new benchmark for female athletes in the country.

father , Muhammad Arif, a pharmacist and a passionate sportsman, stood shoulder to shoulder with his wife. His commitment to his daughter’s sporting dream was unwavering even with limited resources.

Due to a religiously conservative background, Naila Rani faced skepticism and personal sacrifice. She supported her daughters’ presence in a sport that had long been male-dominated in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Her energy, time and strength was poured into raising not just athletes, but champions.

 Homes Turned Training Grounds

For the Ali family, success came at a price. The elder brother’s treadmill and bicycle was sold to fund the girls’ training and tournament expenses. Competition tickets were bought often last minute due to financial constraints.

When Mehwish won her first national title in 2021, father, Muhammad Arif, realized that this was not just a hobby, it was a calling. Since then, he remained her most loyal supporter, accompanying them to every match.

Squash is a full-family pursuit for the Ali family. Mehwish stands proudly with 28 golds, Mah Noor has 21, and Sehrish has 18 to her name. Their older brother, Shayan Ali, is also amongst the top ten squash players of Pakistan.

The youngest of the trio, Mah Noor, has been ranked Asia’s number one in the under-13 category. It is a position to put the world on notice.

She says playing against her sister, Sehrish, in finals often surprises the spectators. But to them, victory always stays in the family.

“No matter who wins the trophy, it still comes home to Pakistan,” she says.

 Training and School

Sherish, 13, is currently the top under-15 squash player in Pakistan. She recently defeated Mah Noor in a triple-header U.S tournament. She gives much of the credit of their success to their mother.

Naila, who juggles meals, education, travel, and emotional care  “she’s the reason we can do this,” Sehrish says.

The girls take online classes to stay academically on track along with their rigorous daily training of six hours a day, starting at 6am.

Squash legend, Qamar Zaman, is a witness to the family’s growth and Arif’s resilience. He openly praised the sister’s achievement, calling Muhammad Arif one of the most dedicated sports fathers.

He added that girls playing squash in Peshawar was once a rare sight to see. The Pakistan Sports Federation and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Squash Association have helped normalize it.

Their efforts have brought more girls into the court, and with the lead of champions like the Ali sisters, the pipeline is only growing stronger.

 Carrying the Legacy

Squash greatness comes from Peshawar. The city is home to legends who dominate international squash history. It includes players  like Hashim Khan, Jahangir Khan, Jansher Khan, and Qamar Zaman.

Ali sisters are keenly aware of this heritage, and they are following their footsteps while leaving their own.

Unmatched family support and a dream of raising the Pakistani flag on global stages, is helping Mehwish, Sehrish, and Mah Noor shape a new legacy.

A legacy where daughters shine just as bright as sons and rackets swing to the rhythm of resilience.