Sana Bahadar Targets Top 100 After Landmark Asian Games Debut

Pakistan squash player Sana Bahadar has emerged as one of the country's most inspiring athletes at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, turning a lifelong communication challenge into a competitive sporting journey. The 20-year-old, who has been deaf and non-verbal since birth, represented Pakistan in the women's singles event at the Nagoya Kinjo Futo Arena in Japan, marking a major milestone in a career built through years of training and family support.

Sana's Asian Games debut ended in the round of 32 after a closely fought five-game contest against Iran's Najmeh Boushehrizadeh. The Iranian player won 11-9, 6-11, 10-12, 11-8 and 11-6 in a match lasting 21 minutes. Sana had moved ahead two games to one before her opponent recovered to take the final two games, ending the Pakistani player's run while underlining her ability to compete at continental level.

Away from the court, Sana communicates mainly through sign language and lip reading. Her two younger brothers are also deaf and non-verbal. Her father, Sher Bahadar, has described squash as a transformative force for his daughter, giving her confidence and a stronger sense of identity after communication difficulties shaped much of her childhood.

Sana began playing squash at the age of 10 and was eventually introduced to former Pakistani champion Qamar Zaman, who helped guide her development. Her progress through the sport took her to the national championship level, but competing internationally created significant financial demands for the family as overseas tournaments and training became increasingly important to her career.

Her father, who operates a printing business in Peshawar, sold two printing machines this year to help finance her international travel. The time required to accompany Sana abroad has also affected the business, which he said has declined by about 60 per cent. Despite those pressures, the family has continued supporting her competitive ambitions and views her sporting progress as worth the sacrifices involved.

A Karachi-based foundation currently provides around Rs4 million annually toward Sana's sporting expenses. Her family says additional financial support is still needed, particularly for extended overseas training in countries such as China and Malaysia. Access to international coaching and regular competition is considered important as she seeks to move further up the professional rankings.

Sana entered the Asian Games after winning the Bendigo Open in Australia last month, a result that helped lift her to world No. 179. Her recent performances have strengthened expectations that she can continue progressing on the international circuit despite the financial and logistical obstacles surrounding her training programme. She is now aiming to break into the world's top 100 during the next year.

The next stage of her development could include reconnecting with a former coach who has moved to China, although that plan depends on securing enough funding for overseas training. Her Asian Games campaign may have ended earlier than hoped, but the experience adds another international event to her record and gives Pakistan a distinctive sporting story centred on perseverance, elite competition and greater opportunities for athletes with disabilities.