Pakistani junior squash player Mehwish Ali handed six-month ban for misconduct

The Asian Squash Federation (ASF) has imposed a six-month ban on Pakistani junior player Mehwish Ali following an incident of misconduct during the Asian Junior Championship. 

The disciplinary decision came after Mehwish displayed an offensive gesture and refused the customary post-match handshake after losing to a Hong Kong opponent in the knockout stage of the tournament.

The ASF conducted a review of the incident and concluded that her actions violated the federation’s code of conduct and fell short of the sportsmanship expected at the international level. 

In its statement, the federation emphasised that the punishment reflects the seriousness of upholding decorum and respect in competitive sport.

Read: Pakistani squash players clinch four titles in Australian Junior Open

It added that this decision serves as a reminder that representing one’s country on an international platform comes with responsibilities that extend beyond performance.

Discipline, respect, and professionalism are fundamental values we expect all players to demonstrate, the ASF stated.

The federation noted that young players must view discipline as a key element of their development, not just as competitors but as ambassadors of their nations. 

Officials also confirmed that future tournaments will enforce stricter monitoring of athlete conduct to protect the integrity of the sport.

Read: Mahnoor Ali, Harmas Raja emerges as champions at US Junior Squash Open

Mehwish Ali will be eligible to return to the court in early 2026, once her suspension is complete.

A similar controversy took place in 2023 when Russian tennis player Karen Khachanov was issued a warning at the Australian Open for making a gesture considered racially and politically sensitive. 

He had written a message on a camera referencing the Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict, prompting an investigation. While Khachanov was not banned, his actions drew widespread criticism for introducing political issues into the realm of sports.