Uncle Jansher Khan boasted of the swagger riding on the Pakistani legend’s eight world titles, and now younger brother Amir is knocking on the top echelons of squash, climbing to 35 in the world rankings well before shedding his teen years. Khalid Atlas Khan has found it difficult to emerge from the shadows of a world-renowned elder in the family, and is honest enough to admit that his kid-sibling is destined for greater glory, which probably surpassed him when he took to the glass courts. On his second visit to Mumbai for the ISP Platinum Jubilee squash tournament playing as second seed behind Ritwik Bhattacharya, Khalid Atlas says he might just find his own place under the sun, if he turns to coaching — adding that India with its burgeoning squash populace is his preferred option. “I completed my Level 2 certificate course in coaching soon after completing my final year at the World Juniors, and I think I’m ready to take up an assignment right away as the world’s youngest qualified coach,” says the semi-finalist at the colts event in 2004. The 21-year-old is currently in talks with a leading club in Mumbai, and will gladly shift his coaching base to the city, pending government clearance. “I’m one of five brothers, and when I realised that my father was finding it difficult to support all our careers internationally, I decided I’ll get into coaching,” he says candidly, while adding that he will persist with his efforts to regain his career-high rank of 80 of 2005 December. Bickering within Pakistan’s squash federation and some inconsistent results had resulted in the eldest of the Atlas brothers being sidelined. Thoroughly disappointed with the politicking, Khalid almost hung his racket, which sent his rankings into a free-fall over six months. “It was a tough time for me, but around that time the Asian Squash Federation forwarded my name for coaching, and I was very enthusiastic about it,” he says, adding that he will simultaneously renew his PSA membership.“But nothing beats the joy of training youngsters. Especially in India, where they are very eager to learn. Pakistan has had a huge junior base, because they’ve watched and trained under several PSA players who bring in tremendous first-hand experience into coaching. Indian juniors if prepared to work hard can match those results,” he states.
