Pradeep Khanna

 

Lt Gen Pradeep Khanna, GOC Southern Command, who was the chief guest said he had played squash since 1944. He played in the early days at the National Defence Academy at Khadakvasla near Pune about 200 km from Mumbai. He said he gave it up at the age of 44 when his son, coached by Ritwik Bhattacharya, beat him 9-0, 9-0, 9-0. 

His presence evoked memories of squash in the Services who were the pioneers of the game after the Cricket Club of India and other clubs took over. In fact early Indian teams were mostly made up of army, navy and air force players. 

I just wanted to thank Mr Punj who trusted us and got squash back in India. With his help, we'll be able to raise squash profile for the years to come. I wanted to thank also, IVY Sport for putting this event together. But most of all, I really want to thank the crowd, they've made this week a magic one with their presence and support…Ziad Al Turki

 
COMMENT ON SAURAV MAKING HISTORY

He has come of age.
Prakash Ghoshal (Saurav Ghosal's father) 

It is a big boost to the event
Ziad Al Turki, PSA Chairman 

He had the potential to do it in front of his home crowd and in home conditions. It was a matter of self belief. We all know his retrieving is very good.
Saurav's manager at Pontefact   

He is tough mentally. Pilley was exhausted, the fact that he had to change his shirts thrice and Saurav not once proves that.
Lee Beachill, PSA COO

Saurav does well at home. He had match-point against me at Kolkata recently. It is good for Indian squash.
Ong Beng Hee 

We Indians are good to be among the top 20. All we need is
self-belief and Saurav showed that tonight.
Ritwik Bhattacharya



PSA Masters began with a pleasant surprise a visit by the Maharashtra sports minister Suresh Shetty. 

The newly-appointed Shetty addressed the crowd before the opening game of the night. He said his first priority would to put a sports policy in place.I have watched squash since a long time,'' he said. He hails from Marol which is also the place where Mahendra Agarwal the founder of Indian Squash Professionals lives.

One got to see Misha Grewal, India's squash queen of the 90s at the event. Delhi-based Misha was recently seen with the Commonwealth Games torch in London. She plays more badminton than squash at the Siri Fort complex. Her son Neil was busy taking autographs. 

She admitted she had put on weight and squash would be tough.


On behalf of the Mumbai crowd, thanks to Mr Punj and Ziad, they've been fabulous….. RAJ AROA
She has another baby and that takes up all her time. She was happy to meet up with players of her time like Manish Chotrani, Akhil Behl. Ritwik's mom Rani gave Misha company.


1. Lt. Gen. Pradeep  Khanna (GOC Southern Command)

2. Mr. Suresh Shetty (Minister for Sports, Government of Maharashtra) along with Mr. Ranjan Sanghi (President, SRAM), Ashok Rao (President, Bombay Gymkhana)

3. Dilip Vengsarkar with Ritwik Bhattacharya

4. Misha Grewal with Ritwik’s Mother.

5. Raj Arora with Ritwik Bhattacharya

                                                                                                    [ 1  |  2  |  3  |  5  |  6  |  7  |  8  |  9  |  10  |  11  |  12  ]