Hospitality at its best
It was Rajasthani hospitality at its best at the 2nd All India Rajasthan Champions 2004 held at the JCL Squash courts between 11 to 15 of September 2004
Five days, Two Squash
Courts, around 300 entries in 8 categories and the organizers knew they had
a tough job on their hands. What are witnessed and never seen before was the
matches played on the first day went on till around 2.30 a.m. in the
morning. The organizers though remained unfazed and managed to get the match
timings schedule under control on the third day of the tournament.
Top players from all over
the country including Mumbai, Delhi and Chennai participated in the
Championship. A strong and very vocal contingent from Mayo College was very
visible and added to the fun during the tournament. The local challenge came
from Parth Sharma and Surbhi Mishra, both solid players but the lack the
cutting edge which will come in time with more exposure.
The organizers had made
wonderful arrangements as far as accommodation was concerned with some of
the top players being put up at the club itself Sumptuous Breakfast, Lunch
and Dinner was being served at the club premises at subsidised rates. The
tournament Committee especially Dharmendra Kamthan went out of their way to
ensure the players were comfortable. One felt they were almost 'spoiling'
the players with their hospitality. While Saurav Ghosal, Joshna Chinnappa,
Vikram Malhotra and Deepika Pallikal expectedly won in their respective
categories. Harinder Sandhu caused an upset in the Boys under
17 category beating a tired looking Sandeep Jangra in straight games.
The boys under 11 final went to the wire with Sumaer Sandhu getting the
better of Deepak Mishra in five games.
Rajasthan's power minister the Honourable Gajendra Singh Khimsar graced the well attended Prize distribution ceremony as chief guest. The honourable minister a top level Squash Player of the yester years having donned the India colors spoke about this changes he had witnessed in the game over the years. He advised the youngsters on how to consistently bring out their best performance in games that matter. The Sponsor Shri. S.K. Golcha pledged an amount of Rs. 5 lacs towards building a new court which the organizers hope to get operational before the tournament next year. All this augurs well for Squash in the Pink City.
FINAL RESULTS :
Boys U-11 : Sumaer Sandhu beat Deepak
Mishra 10-9, 9-2, 3-9, 1-9, 9-4
Boys U-15 : Vikram Malhotra beat Sami
Johnson 9-0, 9-6, 9-0
Boys U-17 : Harinderpal Singh beat
Sandeep Jhangra 9-7, 8-4, 10-8
Girls U-19 : Joshna
Chinappa beat Surbhi Mishra 9-2, 9-3, 9-1
Girls U-15 : Deepika Pallikal beat
Surbhi Mishra 9-4, 9-4, 9-3
Boys U-19 : Saurav Ghosal beat Vikas
Jhangra 9-2, 9-0, 9-0
Womens : Joshna Chinappa beat Mekhala
Subedar 7-9, 9-1, 9-7, 9-4
Mens : Saurav Ghosal beat Gaurav
Nandrajog 4-9, 9-0, 9-3, 9-4
