Jahangir Khan, President of the World Squash Federation, has been awarded an honorary Doctor of Philosophy degree from London Metropolitan University.The distinguished squash figure joins a wide range of public figures from the world of business, sport, the arts, politics and public administration in receiving honorary degrees from the University this year - including Lord Moynihan, the former British Sports Minister and Chairman of the British Olympic Association since 2005; Manny Lewis, Chief Executive of the London Development Agency, which contributed greatly to London's 2012 Olympic bid; and Philip Lane, CEO of the British Paralympic Association and a member of the London 2012 Olympic Board Strategy Group.
"It's a privilege and an honour for me to receive this Honorary Degree," said Khan in his acceptance speech. "I would like to thank the Board of Governors and Jury for honouring my services to the sport and the community. The UK is my second home - the people in the UK have always been very supportive to me."
Born on the 10th December 1963 in Karachi, Pakistan, Jahangir showed a clear interest and talent for squash from a young age. He was coached by his father Roshan Khan, the 1957 British Open Champion - and when Jahangir claimed his British Open crown in 1982, this made them the only father and son to win the prestigious title.
In 1979, Jahangir Khan became the youngest player ever to win the World Amateur title - at only fifteen years old. Two years later, he became the youngest player (at 17) to claim the World Open Championship, beating Australia's Geoff Hunt in the final.
Jahangir went on to win the prestigious British Open title a record ten times and the World Open trophy six times. Furthermore, he established an unprecedented unbeaten record for an incredible five years and eight months - an achievement unsurpassed in any other equivalent sport. Jahangir not only dominated international squash, but also North American hardball squash.
Jahangir retired from competitive squash in 1993, after helping Pakistan win the World Team Championships for the sixth time. In 1984 the government of Pakistan honoured him by putting his image on a postage stamp and presenting him with the President's Award and the civil award of Bilal-e-Imtiaz. Jahangir has also been named as one of Asia’s Heroes by Time Magazine.
Jahangir had become a household name throughout the world - and later was voted the greatest ever male player by a poll on the World Squash Federation website.
In 1990 he was elected Chairman of the Professional Squash Association (PSA) and Vice President of the Pakistan Squash Federation in 1998. In November 1998 he was elected Vice President of the World Squash Federation - and he was made President four years later on 26 October 2002.
Jahangir Khan lives in Karachi with his wife Rubina, his two daughters and his son Omar Jahangir. He has already predicted that Omar will be a World Champion of the future!
"London Metropolitan University is delighted to honour Mr Khan for his services to the field of sport," said a spokesman for the University. "We look forward to continuing our close links with him in the future."
CEO Christian Leighton attended the ceremony on behalf of the World Squash Federation.