Jahangir Khan's Postage Stamp being issued by Japan Post

Time Magazine wrote in 2006,

“If winning is everything, then Khan is the greatest!”

In order to pay a tribute to the Pakistani squash legend Jahangir Khan, Japan Post has planned to issue a commemorative postage stamp. It is expected that the stamp will be issued on 10 December 2017, on the birthday of the great player. Reportedly Jahangir Khan will soon be invited to Japan to unearth the stamp during a ceremony.

Pakistan Post also issued a commemorative stamp in 1984 with Jahangir Khan's photo while playing squash. It was issued almost at the beginning of his prestigious career, which lasted from 1981 to 1993. He was not a legend at that time and no one expected the amount of victories he will bring home.

Jahangir Khan also served as President of World Squash Federation from 2002 to 2008, when he became Emeritus President.

The squash legend ruled the World of Squash for almost 13 years. From 1981 to 1986, he remained unbeatable in consecutive 555 matches, the longest winning streak by any athlete in top-level professional sports as recorded by Guinness World Records. It is a record yet to be broken ... and I am sure it will never be broken.

During his career as a professional squash player, Jahangir won the World Open 6 times and the British Open a record ten times.

In 1981, Jahangir Khan — aged 17 — became the youngest winner of the World Open, beating Australia's Geoff Hunt in the final. That tournament also marked the start of an unbeaten run, which lasted for five years and eight months and 555 matches which finally came to end in the final of the World Open in 1986 in France when he lost to Ross Norman.

In his book "Winning Squash", Jahangir Khan mentions how his future was brushed aside in the beginning.

“I was told I would never become world champion. I was the youngest, smallest, feeblest and sickest of the family,” he writes in the book. “Neither the doctor nor my father believed there was any chance for me to become a good squash player.”

I wish Pakistan Post would issue a set of stamps with the title "Sporting Legends of Pakistan" in future. It is heart-breaking to see different countries honouring Pakistani players while Pakistan Post not doing much.

• St. Vincent issued a stamp on Imran Khan.
• Maldives also issued a set of 2 x Mini-sheets on Wasim Akram in 2016 
• Misbah-ul-Haq was featured on a stamp from Burundi in 2014. 
• Shoaib Akhtar was featured on a stamp from Nevis in 2011.
• Many more include Afridi, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Ahmed Shehzad, etc.

Below are a few of interesting reads:-

• Jahangir Khan on Wikipedia
• UNSQUASHABLE - A Brand inspired by Jahangir Khan
• The day even the great Jahangir Khan fell to earth in the most famous match in squash history

And an interesting video - A must watch for younger generation and a nostalgia for those who have seen Jahangir play.

And another one ;-)

FIFA 2018 Football World Cup is fast approaching ...

FIFA 2018 Football World Cup is approaching fast and here's a cover to share.

Sent by a Postcrossing Member, adding a postcard inside - Although I personally like written and stamped postcards, but still a nice cover is not bad to get ;-)

• The left stamp was issued for IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship, held in Russia in 2016. Canada won the gold medal in the championship in the final match held on 22 May 2016, beating Finland. Russia won the bronze medal. The stamp shows LAIKA - the official mascot of the championship.
• The right stamp was issued in 2015 showing one of the stadiums in which FIFA 2018 Football World Cup matches are to take place. It was part of a set of 4 stamps issued in 2015. This particular stamp shows Kazan Arena in Kazan.

Sochi 2014 Olympics Games and Pakistan's Participation in Olympics

I have always been a sports fanatic and Olympics has been the twilight of all sports events held on the planet. In fact, I have a special admiration for Olympics Stamps and have a nice collection of them by now.
My primary love is for Summer Olympics because PAKISTAN does send a few teams in these Olympics and even managed to get some medals there - although very few as compared to the huge population and the talented youth available in the country; but there are some obvious reasons and most importantly it's the dirty politics in the country in general and in Pakistan Olympics Federation in particular. A little Google search reveals the following:-

• After it's independence in 1947, Pakistan has participated in all Summer Olympics Games except in 1980 when it joined the US-led Olympics Boycott as it were held in Moscow, Russia.
• In total, Pakistan has won 10 medals so far, including 3 Gold, 3 Silver and 4 Bronze medals.
• Out of the total 10 medals, Pakistan Field Hockey Team has won 8 including 3 Gold, 3 Silver and 2 Bronze medals.
• The remaining 2 Bronze medals were won in Wrestling and Boxing.
• ... and unfortunately, Pakistan has not won a single medal in the last 5 Olympics Games since 1992 Olympics in Barcelona, Spain to 2012 Olympics Games in London, UK.

Pakistan has never sent any team to Winter Olympics, if I am not wrong.
Sorry, Google has again proved me wrong ------ Pakistan's first participation in Winter Olympics Games was in 2010 in Vancouver Winter Olympics, where Mr Muhammad Abbas represented Pakistan in Alpine Skiing category in Men's Giant Slalom event. He was ranked 79 out of 103 qualifiers.
Pakistan's Ski Team has also qualified for 2014 Winter Olympics Games in Sochi, Russia, scheduled to be held from February 7 - 23, 2014.

 The above stamp was issued in 2011 by Russian Postal Service to commemorate Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics Games. It is one of the stamp of a series of 3 stamps.

The magnificent cover is definitely a nice addition in my Olympics Covers Collection.

The envelope also contained this lovely Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics Russia Mascot sticker.
The back of the cover was sealed with very cute small cartoon stickers. I like it!

Belarus: Water Skiing Souvenir Sheet FDC

Here's a lovely Belarus First Day Cover (FDC) from my collection. This beautiful Belarussian FDC was issued on 25 October 2001 and features a lovely blue-coloured souvenir sheet showing water skiing. The sheet shows 3 different poses of a woman water skier.

The Souvenir sheet also reads,

"National Waterski Team Belarus

2 times World Champions and 

10 times Europe Champions"

The souvenir sheet is of 1000 Rubles denomination.
As a sports fanatic, I really love this FDC from Belarus.
What do you think about this cover?

Slovenia - An Amazing Cover from the Beautiful European Country

After a long time, when I decided to share a new cover from my collection, I decided to share a real-posted cover from a new country, therefore I selected this cute cover from Slovenia or Slovenija, as they spell it on the stamps.
The envelope is a made up of beautiful dull blue-coloured paper and the stamps really emboss on dull blue background.

The cover was sent to me by Karmen from Slovenia alongwith a couple of postcards and coins too.

The cover is posted with 3 stamps on the face.

• The left-most Slovenian souvenir sheet featuring a flower was issued in 2009 and shows a Ranunculus Arvensis.
• The middle stamp is one of the set of two stamps issued by Slovenia in 2008 at the event of Beijing Olympics. You can see the complete set here.
• The stamp on the right side was also issued in 2009 at the moment of "World Cup Athletes, Berlin". The stamp shows various athletes in action in different coloured silhouettes. It is really a very beautiful and coloured stamp and I absolutely love it.

You can leave your comments below!

Croatia: Barcelona Olympics 1992 Stamps on "Stop the War in Croatia" Cover

After a long time, I am sharing another magnificent item from my collection. It is a beautiful yet strange First Day Cover (FDC) from Croatia. The strange thing is that the FDC is issued for "Stop the War in Croatia" but the stamps used on the cover are not the same. The two stamps pasted in the top-right corner of the cover comprise of the complete set of stamps issued by Croatia to mark the event of Barcelona Summer Olympics 1992. 

Another Stamp in the bottom-center of the FDC is issued for Zrinski–Frankopan, which according to Google is another name for Magnate Conspiracy. It is 17th century attempt to throw off Habsburg and other foreign influences over Hungary and Croatia.

This Croatian FDC is a nice mix of various items from 1992 and 1993, I believe. The postmark on the FDC is from some other sports stamp of 1993, but I could not find them.

You can contribute and share your knowledge on the stamps, FDC or the Postmarks, if you know anything! I shall be obliged!

Pakistan ICC World Cup 1992 Winner - Stamps and FDC

Now that the ICC Cricket World Cup fever is touching its zenith with just 15 days left (as on 4 Feb 2011) in the start of 2011 ICC Cricket World Cup, I bring this very special cover for you. The Pakistani FDC and stamps were issued to commemorate the historic triumph of Pakistan Cricket Team in 1992 Cricket World Cup. Under the captaincy of legendary Imran Khan, Pakistan achieved the laurels which were considered IMPOSSIBLE at one stage.


Some Interesting Facts of 1992 World Cup

• Pakistan returned home as WORLD CHAMPIONS despite of the fact that Pakistan was the last team to qualify for the Semi Finals with only 9 points out of 8 matches against South Africa (10 Points), England (11 Points) and New Zealand (14 Points). The victory in 1992 Cricket World Cup was nothing less than a miracle. Pakistan team's 9 points also included 1 point which was earned after the match between Pakistan and England ended in a DRAW because of rain interruption after Pakistan was bowled out for just 74 runs on the board and England were 24/1.
• Pakistan had to win last 3 matches against Australia, Sri Lanka and New Zealand which they did successfully, but tis was not all. They still needed Australia to beat West Indies which they did too. So Pakistan qualified for Semis. In semi final they again beat New Zealand which had won 7 out of their 8 pool matches and after beaten by Pakistan in Pool match on 18 March 1992 and in semi final on 21 March 1992; the Kiwis were out of the tournament. 
• In the final, Pakistan beat England in a thrilling match by 22 runs and Imran Khan captured the final wicket in his final One Day International match to win the World Cup for Pakistan. Those who watched the final still remember that after 25th over of Pakistan's innings, the score was only 70 on board. Afterwards Imran, Javed Miandad, Inzamam-ul-Haq and Wasim Akram played magnificently to raise their score to 249.
• For the first time in World Cup matches, colored player clothing, white balls and black sight-screens were used and a number of "Day-Night" matches were also played under flood lights.

Three stamps were issued on the occasion for the denomination of Rs 2, Rs 5 and Rs 7.
The Rs 2 stamp (At extreme right) features a photo of Skipper Imran Khan along with the trophy. The Rs 5 stamp (On extreme left) shows the flags of all nine participating nations and Pakistan flag is flying above the rest. The Rs 7 stamp (in middle) features the celebrations, fire works in back ground while Pakistan flag, Crystal trophy and a white cricket ball showing the map of hosts, Australia and New Zealand, printed on one half of the ball.
The World Cup 1992 stamps and the FDC were issued on 27-4-1992 after the final match being played on 25-4-1992.

FIFA World Cup 2010 FDC with Stamp Sheet from France

What a beautiful First Day Cover it is? I fell in love with this cover at the first instance. The cover was sent to me by Eric Contesse from his blog at "Blog Timbre de ma Philatelie". Thanks a lot Eric! 

The FDC featuring the Souvenir sheet of four stamps from France issued on the event of FIFA World Cup 2010 being played in South Africa . The Stamp sheet and FDC were issued on 13 Jun 2010 and depicts football players, player & ball, Pretoria’s Parliament Building, View of Capetown & Flags of Countries playing the FIFA World Cup.

Yugoslavia Olympics Cover - Seoul Olympics 1988

After a long time of absence, here is a magnificent First Day Cover from Former Yugoslavia or Jugoslavija. The FDC was issued on the event of 24th Olympic Summer Games held at Seoul, South Korea.

The FDC features an absolutely gorgeous Miniature Sheet from Jugoslavija. The Olympics FDC and miniature sheet were issued on 21 March 1988.
Do you collect Olympics Theme? If you have any Olympics FDCs to swap, please feel free to leave me a message below.
I am even interested in getting all FDCs or stamps issued for T20 CricketWorld Cup 2010 and FIFA Football World Cup 2010, if your country is issuing any..... Do you have any?

#22: Slovakia; Beijing Olympics 2008 FDC

A magnificent FDC from Slovakia is here. It is one of my personal favorites from the Olympics theme. The beautiful stamp shows a female athlete doing long jump where as many different sports men and women are shown on the left side playing various sports. Indeed very fascinating. The postmark also depicts a sportsman. the stamp is issued on 4 Jun 2009.

#21: Kenya; Real-Posted Cover with Kasarani Stadium and Orchids

I absolutely like this cover with nice stamps, especially I love the large stamp with a multi-purpose football stadium which is a joint issue stamp issued on the 40th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Kenya and China. It is one of the two stamps issued on the occasion and the face value is 66 shillings. The second stamp of 21 shillings features a portion of Mombasa Road

The multi-purpose Kasarani Stadium featured on the stamp is part of the Moi International Sports Center in Kasarani, in the outskirts of Nairobi. The stadium was built in 1987 for the All-Africa Games held in Nairobi. Currently the stadium is being used primarily for the Football matches. A Gymnasium and an aquatic complex are also part of the Sports Center.

The remaining 3 stamps are part of a set of 18 definitives issued by Kenyan Post in 2001. It took me a long time to verify this fact.

Interestingly none of the stamps have been cancelled using post-marks. Total postage used on the cover is 308 Shillings. The cover was sent by Aliya Bauer from Kenya with nice phonecards.

Cover #17: Cricket Postmark from Pakistan

Back after a brief pause.

Here is a beautiful cover with a commemorative postmark issued on the event of the 3rd Test Match between the cricket teams of traditional rivals on the pitch - Pakistan & India. The match took place in Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium from 13-17 Apr 2004. The cricket themed postmark shows a batsman playing a shot in front of the wickets.

A very strong Indian Team won the 3rd Test and marked their first test series win in Pakistan after 15 years against a then under-transition Pakistani Team. India won by an innings and 131 runs - Huge victory for them on Pakistani soil.

Since there was no special cover or stamp issued on the occasion and only a postmark was issued thus I have used a sports related cover (FIFA Centenary Celebrations 2004) and one of the stamp of the series of stamps issued for 9th SAF games, 2004 depicting two wrestlers in the ring.

Cover #14: Pakistan: FIFA Centenary Celebrations 2004

Here is a beautiful FDC issued by Pakistan Post on the eve of FIFA Centenary Celebrations on 21 May 2004.  The FDC sports a set of 3 stamps with Rs 5 denomination each. The cover depicts three abstract soccer players running after the magic ball. The beautiful postmark cancellation also shows a football in the center.

Football is considered an easy game to be played by any faction of the society. The love of football can be enjoyed anytime, anywhere, no matter how skilled a player you may happen to be. You just require a football to enjoy the ecstacy of this magic game.

Over the past 100 years, football has taken root as the world's most watched and played sport, encompassing whole regions, people and nations. With approximately two hundred million active players in the world, it has become a national obsession in many countries making players superstars and clubs powerful brands.

These stamps issued from Pakistan marks the centenary of FIFA, (The Fédération Internationale de Football Association) which was founded on 21 May 1904 featuring the FIFA Centenary logo.

Here I would like to add one thing: Pakistan is one of the largest exporters of hand-made footballs in the World. Although Football is a hugely popular game among the people in Pakistan yet Pakistan Football Team has never brought any laurels at the international arena. Presently Pakistan is ranked 167 in FIFA Rankings.

While talking about football, I just remembered a picture I took last year. It would definitely be a pleasure to share it with you. This is my younger daughter - Maha's picture playing with a football while eating a banana in the kitchen. So even the children enjoy FOOTBALL -the best game played in the World. 

Cover # 10: Pakistan FDC: Athens Olympics 2004

A beautiful Pakistan FDC featuring Olympics stamps issued for XXVIII Athens Olympics 2004. The FDC was issued on the eve of the 2004 Summer Olympic Games, officially known as the Games of the XXVIII Olympiad held in Athens, Greece from August 13 to August 29, 2004 with the motto "Welcome Home".  The motto depicted the fact that it was the first time since 1896 that the Olympics returned to Athens from where they initiated.

The cover featured a set of 4 stamps featuring Wrestling, Hockey, Boxing and Running. Interestingly from the above mentioned sports, Pakistan DID NOT participate in wrestling during Athens Olympics but took part in 5 sports in total including Hockey, Boxing, Running (Athletics), Shooting & Swimming. Unfortunately Pakistan did not manage to get a single medal (not even a plastic medal) during the games however Pakistan finished 5th in Hockey event (ahead of their arch-rivals India which finished 7th - ) ------ hehehe  ;)

10,625 athletes competed from 201 countries in the event. There were 301 medal events in 28 different sports. 

The 2004 Olympic Games emblem (as seen below) portrayed an olive wreath, or kotinos, a branch from an olive tree intertwined in a circle. The emblem is a reference to the ancient Olympic Games, where the kotinos was the official award of Olympic champions. In addition, the olive was the sacred tree of Athens. The colours of the emblem symbolise the shades of white and blue found in the Greek countryside.

The Athens games had two official mascots:  Athiná and Phévos (pronounced in Greek as Athina and Fivos). The sister and brother were named after Athena, the goddess of wisdom, strategy and war, while Phoebus, the god of light and music, respectively. They were inspired by the ancient daidala, which were dolls that had religious connotations as well as being toys.

United States topped the medals table with 102 medals including 36 Gold medals, China with 32 gold medals stood 2nd where as Russia managed to gain 3rd position by clinching 27 gold medals.

I have only one cover available with me which will be swapped in return of another nice FDC with Olympics theme with complete set of stamps. 

Cover # 9: Pakistan FDC: 2001: 9th SAF Games, Islamabad

Hi friends!
Here is another INTERESTING FDC from Pakistan. The FDC was issued on 9 Aril 2001 to honor the 9th SAF Games (South Asian Federation Games) scheduled to be held in Islamabad, Pakistan in 2001. The interesting part was that the Games were NOT held in 2001 due to extreme tension & escalation of armies on the border between Pakistan and India. India refused to send its contigent to Pakistan for the games. The games were postponed again and again, until they were finally organized in 2004. 

I have already shared the extremely BEAUTIFUL FDC issued in 2004 to commemorate 9th SAF games with you. If you have missed that cool post then you can read it by following this link:

SAF Games 2004 - FDC from Pakistan

You definitely can not afford to miss this one.

FDC #4: 7th Men's World Handball Championship 1970, France

Today I will share this beautiful FDC from France. The FDC was issued on the eve of 7th Men's World Handball Championship which was held in 1970 in France. The FDC features a beautiful stamp depicting a handball player. Three other players are also shown on the FDC envelope. 

An interesting thing which I noticed is that on the envelope, the shirt number of the player(in blue shirt) making the shot is inverted "9" or may be double-inverted "6". What do you say?

The FDC was issued on 21 February 1970 and it has been cancelled in the beautiful city of France - Paris.

The Championship was won by Romania getting the Gold medal, where as East Germany and Yugoslavia got Silver and Bronze medals respectively.