Thanks for posting the fine note about Arif. I practiced with him and played along side him for three years. He was a great teammate.... Enthusiastic... Hard worker.. supported lower ranked mates.. Competed with great joy...without rancor or anger.
Here's a little story....I had not talked with Arif in many years, when my brother Tom died... A week or so later I got a call from London. It was Arif to express his condolences... Of course he'd played with Tom at Princeton. But the great kicker was... he said he had someone with him who also wanted to say how sorry he was at the news... It was Jahangir Khan.... Who wanted to share some wonderful stories about playing Tom when he and some of the other internationals would come over in those days for our bigger events. The stories were great.....I am sure Arif knew I wouldn't have known them from that perspective and it was really a wonderful gesture for Arif to have made that happen (pretty nice of Jahangir too)...
Anyhow, thanks again
David Page
Very sad news indeed. Arif and I attended Wharton Grad together when I had recently been taught the game by my freshman resident advisor, Gil Mateer. We had what I thought were a few recreational games, frequently ending with some absurdly amazing shot played by Arif. It was not until we caught up years later in New York that I found out that I had been playing with true squash royalty. An amazing player and a true gentleman who will be missed.
ReplyDeleteAlan L. Goldberg
I met Arif when he was working in Los Angeles in the 1970's. When a northern California contingent came to LA for a tournament, Arif would insist on driving everyone to the airport when it was over. He was living in California only temporarily, but you were on his turf and he was your host, and that was that. His generosity is impossible to forget.
ReplyDeleteArif was a wonderful player and a class act . In 2004 my son Peter and I visited England as part of the Jesters Club Jubilee celebration .
ReplyDeleteThe UK Jesters held a cocktail party at The Temple, headquarters of the barristers in London, and Arif and his wonderful lady Anne attended the event.
Arif and I had arranged to meet and catch up at the event. He was two years ahead of me at Princeton.
In conversation Arif mentioned that he played at the Bath and Racquet Club in Belgravia and that Hiddy Jahan was the pro there.
Peter, then age 16 and a keen junior squash player , remarked “ Gee- how lucky is that! Hiddy Jahan is a legend. “
To which Arif responded” Peter, would you like to play with him?”
Before Peter even had a chance to respond Arif instantly pulled out his cell phone, called Hiddy and arranged for a lesson the next day.
That was one of the squash highlights of Peter’s life, and a fabulous afternoon for us both. HIddy provide some great coaching tips and a terrific playing lesson.
Arif reflexively went out of his way to be hospitable, to encourage a young squash player, and to roll out the red carpet.
R.I.P. to a good friend, a true Jester jesting free, an entertaining and tremendously gifted player with a sick wrist, and a true gentleman.
We had different gods as favorites. We played, we laughed, we 'cried', we enjoyed and had between us a strong emotional attachment. I have lost a very dear friend.
ReplyDeleteI am in a state of shock. I was googling Arif, my family friend -- I had lost touch and wanted to visit him in London. I am so sad to lose my friend.
DeleteInci Ali
Arif played against some tough competitors, David and Tom Page, John Bottger, and I remember him as a tough and fair competitor with a great smile. Princeton, squash and all of us are better off from having shared a bit of our journey with Arif. Thank you for that gift Mr. Sarfraz.
ReplyDeleteI came across this site accidentally. OMG, Arif - a man full of life and light. I am so very sorry that I stopped keeping in touch with Arif since I took up a new job in 2012.Last saw him in 2012 he was so well. Could anyone tell me what happened to Arif please? I am so sorry... Arif you have been a great friend and outstanding man - you live in my heart forever and ever.
ReplyDeleteHi Shu Hu,
DeleteYou can email me for more details at ted.gross@comcast.net
Thanks
I always enjoyed playing squash with Arif at Exeter as a fellow teammate. He had wonderful fire and competitiveness. I still tell stories about beating him once! All the best to his family. Doug Brown 71 Exeter.
ReplyDeleteI know Arif from his days at Bear Stearns Jahangir Siddiqui in Karachi. With his mystic and unapproachable presence in the office, I would always sneak a way to engage with him and perhaps get a chance to meet up with Jahangir Khan as he used to play with him during his time there. It never happened, and it won't happen any more....
ReplyDelete