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| Note: Capt Jamshed Appoo is a non controversial
man who is not associated with either SRFI, SRAM OR ISP. He is the
great lover of squash in India and perhaps it will be difficult to find a
generous sponsor like him. The '"HERALD MARITIMES SQUASH
TOURNAMENT'" has been growing every year. Started in 2003 with
the prize money of 3.75 lakhs, 6 lakhs in 2004 has touched a record prize
money of 11 lakhs (approx) Indian Rupees this
year.
One Siddharth Lulla had sent him an email asking him his opinion regarding the controversial Dronacharaya Awardee Cyrus Poncha. His replies and Siddharta's question are as follows: |
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Letter Sent By Siddharta Lulla:
Subject: DRONACHARYA AWARD - CYRUS !!!!
Dear All:
Some of you may remember me from my playing
days (years ago), but I am sure a lot of you have no idea who I am. So,
perhaps, an introduction would be apt.
My name is Siddharth Lulla and I used to play the circuit as a junior between 1987 and 1993. Squash meant a lot to me as a junior and it helped me understand myself and people in life better. It also exposed me to a lot of wonderful experiences and people.
One of the people whom it did bring me in
contact with was Cyrus Poncha. Someone you all know !
The last day / two has been most distressing
for a friend to watch and it has also been distressing from the point of
view of being an Indian and a squash player to boot.
I am sure most, if not all of you, were
appalled with the news, and am sure all of you have experiences and
stories to tell of Cyrus' character as a person, player and coach.
I would implore you to use your good offices
to allow the truth to permeate through with your opinions and thoughts.
All we hear in the news is one side of the
story; that of people who choose to malign rather than congratulate.
Please do let your opinions be heard. Write to your local newspapers or
if you know anyone in the press please do write to them to carry your
opinion.
Lets call a spade a spade and lets not,
let a person whom we all know to be good, be dragged in the mud.
My best regards
Siddharth Lulla
Reply of Capt. Jamshed Appoo:
Sent: Wednesday, August 31, 2005 1:18 PM
Subject: Re: DRONACHARYA AWARD - CYRUS !!!!
Dear Siddharth,
My name is Capt. Jamshed Appoo and MAYBE
you may have heard of me. Let me introduce myself to you. I am a
squash lover and my son also plays squash. I for the last three years
have been sponsoring Herald Maritime Services Squash tournaments at
Mumbai which has been the RICHEST tournament in the country only out
of love for the game and with no personal gains either in
advertisement or anything else. I am neither intrested in politics
of this game nor do I belong to SRFI, ISP or SRAM. I interact with
most players and my idea of the tournament was only to encourage my
son and the young Indian boys. I have a lot to say but I am not going
to malign anybody on the net as it is not my style. All I can say
that the GREAT Cyrus Poncha and his association has for the last three
years tried to sabbotage my tournament WITHOUT SUCCESS and Indian
Squash would do well without the likes of Mr Poncha.
I donot want to say any more and I will
only say long live Indian Squash.
Jai Hind
Capt . Jamshed Appoo
Email: ja@herald-maritime.com Reply of Siddharta Lulla:
Sent: Wednesday, August 31, 2005 2:11 PM
Subject: Re: DRONACHARYA AWARD - CYRUS !!!!
Dear Capt. Appoo:
Thanks for the mail. I feel bad that this
is the impression you carry of Cyrus and I am sure it is not without
reason as you have mentioned.
I however felt it my duty to voice my
opinion which I did; as did you.
Again, my intentions were on a note that
was directed more towards certain fiction being written on him in
the press and I wanted to raise a certain amount of public opinion
to remove the misconceptions as I, personally have seen otherwise.
Thanks once again for your mail, and as
you say, 'long live Indian Squash'.
Best Regards
Siddharth Lulla
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Controversy over Dronacharya Award Squash coach Cyrus Poncha’s nomination opposed by his own circle; Jaoquim Carvalho peeved at being ignored Hindustan Times,
Akshay Sawai, Mumbai, August 24
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