Deaf Pakistani Squash Player Makes Asian Games Debut With Her Father by Her Side

Nagoya, Japan — September 25, 2026

For 20-year-old Pakistani squash player Sana Bahadar, competing at the 2026 Asian Games is the latest chapter in a journey that began when she was a child struggling to find a way to express herself.

Finding a Voice Through Sport

Sana was born deaf and non-verbal, as were her two younger brothers. Growing up, communication was difficult, and her father, Sher Bahadar, said she struggled with confidence and her sense of identity.

Everything began to change when Sana took up squash at the age of 10. She eventually met Pakistani squash legend Qamar Zaman, who encouraged her to develop her talent.

Instead of being limited to traditional vocational activities, Sana found an opportunity to pursue sport. Over the years, squash became both a competitive career and a way for her to communicate with the wider world.

A Father Who Followed Her Journey

Sana’s father has played a major role in supporting her career. Sher Bahadar runs a printing business in Peshawar, but he has sacrificed much of his income to help his daughter travel and train internationally.

He told Reuters that he sold two printing machines this year to help finance Sana’s overseas trips. He also said that his business had fallen significantly because of the time required to accompany her.

Despite those sacrifices, he said he has no regrets.

“Because of her, I get to travel and meet so many great athletes. We are absolutely proud of her,” he told Reuters.

Her First Asian Games

Sana made her Asian Games debut in Nagoya, Japan, in September. She competed in the women’s individual squash tournament and reached the round of 32 before losing to Iran’s Najmeh Boushehrizadeh.

Although her tournament ended early, simply reaching the Asian Games represented a major milestone in her career.

Outside the court, Sana communicates through a combination of sign language and lip reading. During the competition, her father remained close by and helped support her throughout the experience.

Looking Toward the Top 100

Sana is currently ranked No. 179 in the world after winning the Bendigo Open in Australia in August. Her next major goal is to break into the world’s top 100.

That goal will require further international training, something her family says remains difficult to finance. A Karachi-based foundation provides financial support, but her father said additional funding is needed for training opportunities in countries including China and Malaysia.

More Than a Ranking

For Sana’s family, her progress is about more than rankings and tournament results.

Her father said squash has transformed his daughter’s confidence and changed the entire family. The young athlete who once struggled to communicate is now travelling internationally and competing against some of Asia’s best players.

At the Nagoya Games, Sana may have exited the tournament in the opening rounds. But for her and her family, stepping onto the Asian Games court represented another important step in a journey that began with a young girl discovering that sport could give her a way to be heard.

Sources

• Reuters — “Beyond the silence: Squash player Sana Bahadar lets her racquet do the talking,” September 25, 2026.
• Dawn — Reuters report and photographs from the 2026 Asian Games.