NEWS LETTER OF THE INDIAN SQUASH PROFESSIONALS                                                           Vol No.1 Issue No.2 

WEBSITE: www.ispsquash.com                                                                                                       

DIRECTORS: MAHENDRA AGARWAL/ SUBHASH WALI / NARENDRA GOUR (I.R.S.) CHANDRAKANT PAWAR. 
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Rahmat Khan to boost Indian Squash. Indian Squash never had so good. We at the ISP do not believe in mutual back-slapping but this piece of news has really elated us. The reason is that when Pro Squash was launched it was the aim of the ISP to increase awareness about the game in India and its potential. One such who has seen its potential is Rahmat Khan. Cut off from the game for seven long years, Rahmat during his stay in India, has seen the talent at the grassroots and also seen what a long way Indian players have to go to reach the pinnacle. Rahmat has also seen the pinnacle, through vicariously, through the man who he once coached, his cousin Jahangir Khan. Rahmat knows what he is attempting for producing an Indian Champion of the world.  He knows first and foremost that the Indian players have to cross the pain barrier that the Pakistanis did with shedding of blood, sweat and tears. This may sound a cliche but you only have to see the way the stars of Pakistan came up to realise how arduous the road to the top of the ladder is for anyone, not just Indians.

Rahmat Khan making a point to the professionals during his maiden coaching venture in India at the Bombay Gymkhana courts

Most of Indian players have been born with silver spoons in their mouths. That’s not their fault. But the test lies in how they address themselves to the unappetising task of slogging it out when they know that there are no short - cuts to success, in this sport at least. That will be the true test of character of Indian Squash players once they decide to come into the fold of Rahmat and try to fulfill his dreams, a dream he shares with Indian Squash followers, a miniscule minority, a dream he set out to turn into reality through the efforts of the ISP and, hopefully, with the blessing of the official agencies that are meant to develop the sport.

Living all my life in England and playing and coaching squash all over the world, when I got married to India's famous star and singer Salma Agham I moved from  London to Mumbai to live and work closely with my wife for films, T.V. and music. I became a song writer and a actor.

Because of these activities I was out of touch with squash for almost seven years. One day, at the reception of Salma's song album at Centure Hotel, I met Mr. Dube, Health Club Manager and a keen squash player who then introduce me to Mr. Riaz Mohammed, Squash Pro. Both were keen to see me back in squash. A meeting was arranged with Mr. Mahendra Agarwal and Subhash Wali, both very enthusiastic and squash - loving people keen on seeing squash grow all over India. They invited me to join them at the Mahindra International Squash challenges finals. I was surprised to see a great event very well organised by Mr. Anil Singh of ProCam Sport, I met some old friend and lots of new players who had come on top in the last seven years during which I was away from squash.

After the finals, I came back, It was very late. I went to sleep ..... and I dreamt. Myself , Mahendra Agarwal, Subash Wali, Anil Singh, SRAM, SRFI, the Indian Press, all are sitting together and discussing the future of Indian Squash, making plans to train the Squash Pros, juniors to give them the knowledge of proper coaching, searching for talent all over India finding sponsors all over country, competitions for all ages, squash camps for juniors and seniors and I saw there is a World Championship going on. The final was played and both players fighting for the glory at 16-all.

We all are sitting, watching and then it's all over, one player is winner. He is coming out with glory he is coming towards us. Yes, he is the World Champion from India.

We are all hugging each other; congratulating each other it was the effort put by all of us together and we saw  the result , the champion from India. Suddenly I was awakened by a telephone call, the dream was gone but I am thinking can this dream come true? Shall we hope ? Now we must work on it.

Where there is a will there is a way. 
Inchallah.

RAHMAT KAHN

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