KHAR GYMKHANA-ISP 
OPEN DOUBLES SQUASH HANDICAP at Khar Gymkhana, Mumbai
30/5/2003

At the prize distriution function held at Khar Gymkhana the winners Sahil Vora and Rushabh Vora (CCI) along with Mahendra Agarwal (Founder Director, ISP), Rajesh Rajani, Shiv Malhotra (Vice-President, Khar Gymkhana) and Mr. Manu Dadlani (President, Khar Gymkhana)

Sahil, Rushabh claim title

Free Press Journal : 1/6/2003

The Vora brothers from Cricket Club of India, Sahil and Rushabh lifted the title in the Khar-Gymkhana ISP handicap open doubles squash tournament, defeating Chandrakant Pawar and Mangesh Nadkarni of Otters Club 15-13, 10-15, 15-11, 13-15, 17-15 in the final played late on Friday at the squash courts of Khar Gymkhana. 

With just a 30-minute gap between the semi-finals and the final, and the heat and humidity sapping the energy of the players, it was wonder that they had the legs to contest the final, which lasted for about 90 minutes. However, fitness and speed of the younger Vora brothers counted in the end, though the victory was nothing but easy, thanks to the canny play of the veteran Chandrakant Pawar. 

Pawar, a former nine-time National professional champion, moved the ball around brilliantly, slowing down the pace of the game and targeting the younger of the two siblings Rushabh. Pawar’s partner, Nadkarni also did his bit, using his power to hit the ball deep and keep the brothers at bay. The five-point handicap that the Vora brothers conceded to Pawar and Nadkarni balanced things out as both pairs fought valiantly for each point. Rushabh, just back from a training stint at the SRFI Academy in Chennai, proved more than equal to the task as he gave his elder brother tremendous backing on every point. 

The decider was the closest of the five games, and though Pawar and Nadkarni fought gamely to keep abreast till 14-14, they just didn’t have it in them when Sahil asked for a three-point extension. He then finished the match with two clinical kill shots to lift the winner’s purse of Rs 8,000. 

The third place was sealed by Cyrus Apoo and Sanjay Pawar of Otters Club, who defeated Vijay Sonawane and Ashwini Kukreja 15-12, 10-15, 13-15, 15-11, 15-12.

Following are the results: 

Final:
Sahil Vora and Rushabh Vora (CCI) bt C S Pawar and Mangesh Nadkarni (Otters Club) 15-13, 10-15, 15-11, 13-15, 17-15. 

3rd and 4th place:
Cyrus Apoo and Sanjay Pawar (Otters) bt Vijay Sonawane and Ashwini Kukreja (Khar Gym) 15-12, 10-15, 13-15, 15-11, 15-12.

Semifinals :
C.S.Pawar & Mangesh Nadkarni (Otters Club) bt Vijay Sonavane and Ashwin Kukreja (Otters Club) 5-15, 15-7, 15-9, 15-12
Sahil Vora & Rushabh Vora (CCI) bt Sanjay Pawar & Cyrus Apoo (Otters Club) 15-11, 15-12, 9-15, 17-15

Quarter Finals :
C.S.Pawar & Mangesh Nadkarni (Otters Club) bt Shiv Malhotra & Rajesh Rajani (Khar Gym) 15-12, 17-15, 14-15, 17-15
Sahil Vora & Rushabh Vora (CCI) bt Vishal Kapoor & Sachika Balwani (Otters Club) 5-12, 15-11, 8-15, 15-10, 15-13
Sanjay Pawar & Cyrus Apoo (Otters Club) bt Manek Mathur & Jay Bhagat (CCI) 8-15, 15-6, 15-9, 12-15, 15-7
Vijay Sonawane & Ashwin Kukreja (Otters Club) bt Vijay Whagela & Jayesh Agarwal (Khar Gym) 15-12, 17-14, 8-15, 12-15, 15-14

Click here for more photographs of this tournament

45th Tournament Organised by ISP