The Pakistani will be among 350 youngsters in age bands of Under-13,U15,U17 and U19 taking part in the competition and who will be representing between 25 and 30 countries world wide.Last year Egyptian team made a clean sweep of all the titles.The Karachi-born 15-year-old youngster is ranked second in his country in the junior category but is 64th in the world ratings.

He has participated in five international events and won pioneer Cup in Germany and Hamdard Delton Squash Championship in 2008. He secured 3rd position in Dutch Open in 2008 and German Junior Open in 2010 where 256 players from around the World had participated and was 4th in Dutch Open in July 2010.

Pakistan High Commissioner to the UK  Wajid Shamsul Hasan hosted a reception for the young player last evening , where he met with officers of the High Commission and media. Mr. Hasan commended Shahid’s efforts in representing Pakistan in international events and earning good name for the country by winning and securing high positions in the World Championships where now more than 140 countries participate.
Shahid started playing at the age of seven at Roshan Khan Jehangir Khan Squash Club also known as Navy Fleet Club, Karachi where he receives regular coaching by Faheem Gul and Jan Sher Khan. He also plays at Agha Khan University Sports Complex as his mother serves as medical doctor at the AKU.
He began playing the sport for leisure and got selected in the trials for provincial team of Sindh. From there he moved on to national and then international level, participating in an international event in 2008 for the first time.
Shahid attributes his success to his parents who consistently encouraged him and bear expenses for participating in international events.
Deliberating on difficulties faced by Pakistani players he pointed out that problems of visas were hampering participation of Pakistani youth in international sports events.
Saad said he himself could not participate in British Open and US Open in 2009 and that four other players were not able to travel to participates in British Open because their visas were still pending.
He further stated that financial support to compete in international events was yet another issue that needs to be addressed at the national level because in the absence of any monetary backing many talented players fail to participate in international tournaments.