When Adil says that Squash is in my blood he is not exaggerating. “The first sound heard by Adil after the azan was that of a squash ball banging against the wall” says Mr. Khawaja Maqbool, the proud father of Adil. From that day onwards young Adil was regularly taken to the court where he would sit in his pram and watch people playing. Adil won his first UAE Under 9 championship at the young age of 5 back in 1993. In 1994, he won the UAE under 10 title and in the following year he won the UAE Junior under 12 championship. His first advent on the international circuit came in the year 1996 when he went to Hong Kong to play the Hong Kong Open Under 10 Championship. Unfortunately, he lost in a nail biting final which was marred by a controversial decision by the referee although everyone including the crowd and his opponent had already greeted him for winning the championship.

This loss did not dampen Adil’s spirits and he came back the following year to claim the title with a convincing match winning performance. He is the only Pakistani who has won these titles at the age of 13. Adil is a success story and his list of achievements is growing ever since. He is now ranked No. 81 at the Worlds Men’s circuit and his aspiration is to finish the year at top 70. While Adil remains committed to squash he has not lost the focus on studies. At Ibn-e-Sina School, Sharjah, he got four ‘A’s in his ‘O’Level and is currently enrolled in a bachelors program in Information Technology at Preston University, Sharjah where he has been awarded a scholarship. Adil knows how to balance his life between studies, home and recreation.

He spends 4 hours every day in the squash court.Adil looks up to his father as a source of inspiration. His father is a determined Squash Coach and a passionate Pakistani. Mr. Maqbool narrates his determination to carry on the legacy that our homeland has been proud of. It is evident from his efforts & hard work that he has been putting up together with his son. Their love for squash reflects on their villa in Ajman named as “Squash House”. Mr. Maqbool’s passion for this cause has not slowed his efforts despite his financial difficulties. All the travelling and related expenditures during these international and local championships were self-financed thorough his coaching at sofitel hotel in Dubai. There are many more Adils in Pakistan and abroad who lack the resources to nourish their talents in many fields. They need the community and the Government to come forward and support them to grow. To know further about his achievements please log on to www.adilmaqbool.com