Press Articles 2008

“FROM the time I have known Dipeka Pallikal, first as a bubbly little girl and now as a highly focused teenager, I’ve seen in her the makings of a truly professional sportswoman. She has the ability, poise, confidence and glamour to excel on the international stage and convert her prowess at squash into a major sports marketing asset. I have no doubt that she will make it, and I wish her well.”

-Raj Rajamahendran, Chairman/MD, The Capital Maharaja Organisation Ltd, Sri Lanka, is a one of Dipika’s sponsors

“I HAVE known Dipika for the last couple of years now and in my opinion, she is not only an extremely talented squash player but also a great kid! She Handles herself very well on and off the squash court, and that is evident as she has more friends on Facebook than any other person I know. We as a trust have big dreams for Dipika and feel that she is on the right track to achieve more laurels.She has immense talent and is now focusing on establishing herself on the WISPA (Women’s International Squash Professionals Association) circuit. She started the year by creating history, and we feel this is just a stepping stone towards even greater achievements in the future”-Manisha Malhotra is CEO, Mittal Champions Trust

“I HAVE known Dipika for over three years now. It is impressive to see how she has taken her game to the next level consistently and constantly. Winning at the highest level, and yet not getting complacent – that’s Dipika! A fighter through and through, she has everything it takes to be a champio.” – Mahesh Bhupathi (Globosports) manages Dipika’s career.

They call me the glam doll of squash in India. I’ll say, I’m 16, fun loving, and yes, it feels great to be World No 1 (in ‘Under 17’) in squash. The biggest names in the game have predicted HUGE success for me. Givena good day, I can beat the best of best. Unfortunately, plotics, an intergral part of Indian Sports, has affected my career. But I have confidence in myself and have proved myself time and again…

I was born in Chennai, we are Malayali Christians. My dad Sanjeev Pallikal runs his own business ‘Reach Management Consultancy’, which has 10 branches across the world and my mum Susan Pallikal, was a cricketer in her hey days. She now runs a travel agency called ‘Travel Masters India.’

We are three siblings; and II am the youngest. My eledest sistteeer Divya works for the company KPMG and is also studing for her CA. My second sister Dia is doing her masters in graphic desiging in Leeds, UK. And my mom always teases us by referring to the three of us as ‘D d d’, which according to her stands for donkeys. But on a serious note, all our names- Divya, Diya and Deipika – mean ‘light’.

I basically come from a sports background. My grandma was a state level athlete. She represented Kerala in javelin and was also a state level sprinter. My grandpa was a very talented state level basketball player. He represented three states in basketball – Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Now you know where my talent comes from. Well, this is not all. My paternal grandfather, who was a colonel in the army, was a great athlete excelling in long jump and triple jump.

And my mom, popularly known as Susan Lttycheria during her cricketing days, played for India. She was one of the best all rounfers the country had. She excelled in bowling,middle order batting and fielding. She was called the ‘Rock of Gibralter’ by her colleagues Behroze and Diana Edulji. She was also chosen as the captain of the Indian team for the World Cup played in India. Though a male domionated sport, she and her teammates Shantha Rangaswamy, Shubhangi Kulkarni, Sudha Shah, Fowsieh Khaleeli and Diana and Behroze Edulji enjoyed the game, and they played as well as the guys their age. The sport was tough, but they were tougher.

At the age of 19, mom along with 12 other cricketers, formed what was called ‘India Club’, which was like a players association. They would approach sponsors for money, travel to places like Amsterdam, West Indies and the UK, organize matches in each of these places on their own and play. They would tour and play friendly matches in all these places. Mom, without a doubt, is a major source of inspiration to me.

My school in Chennai Later, I shifted to the Good Shepherd School, and studied there till the ninth standard . I then moved to lady Andal School because they had a proper sports curriculum there. School days were a lot of fun, especially at the Good Shephered School. I had a bunch of friends who were absolute nerds and since I was not too keen on studies, I would feel quite out of place in this group. Nevertheless, we had great times together.

I discovered squash at the age of 10. Before that, I played tennis a lot. But one day, Praneeta, my neighbou, asked me if I would be interested in going for a summer camp where they were having squash classes. That’s how I started playing squash.Praneeta and I were really close till I was 12 and then Praneeta left for Singapore. It was very hard on me, especially since we used to spend a lot of time together-cycling and playing. Even today,Praneeta is my closest friend and her name comes first in my Facebook group.

Once I got the taste of squash, there was no looking back! I loved playing the game. I had so much to look forward to-smart new clothes, good shoes, my hair tied differently (I had long hair as i was learing classical dance too then, which I later gave up), and most of all beating the boys in the 9-point practice game. So I never missed even a single practice session.

And I think the glamour of it all and the handsome boys just motivated me to play on! Initially, I never used to like boys but when I started playing squash and got my first cell phone, I started hanging out with boys too. Now if you ask me about boyfriends/crushes, well, let me tell you that there’s nothing very serious, I’m just living a normal teenager’s life!

Back to my squash, I first started training with coach Hari Om Tripati. He is the one who taught me how to hold a racket right. The first tournament I participated in was the Indian Junior Nationals in 2002, which is the biggest tournament in India, and I won that! I became the national champion at the age of 11, and from then on, I knew squash was my game. I was not even seeded. I was a new face on the circuit. But if you win the Nationals, you automatically become No1 in the country. That was a proud moment for me.

Squash champ Joshna Chinnapa was a very good friend of my sister’s. Through my sister, Joshna and I became good friends. I then became a member of the India Cements Squash Academy (run by the Squash Rackets Federation of India) to train professionally. It was tough training at the Academy. A great deal had to be sacrificed –no sweets, no chocolates, no getting up late, but let me tell you a little secret, I had my way most of the time. Being the youngest in the family, my parents did pampered me a lot-I don’t remember what I haven’t got in life.

Anyway, I went on to win a lot of national and international titles after that. Over the last five years, I’ve won the German Junior Squash Open followed by the Belgium, Scottish, Australian Open, Dutch Junior Open, Asia Junior Individual Chaimpionship Singapur, Pioneer Open at Cologne, Noric Junior Open at Sweden among many other national titles between 2003 and 2007. Squash became, and is, the center point of my existence.

But I did go through my share of trials and travails in my sporting career. At the India Cements Squash Academy, I became very close to the people in the academy like Cyrus Poncha, the national coach, and Major Mannaiam, the Asian Federation’s Technical Director. But suddenly, I got news that I was not picked for the team for the Asian Games in Doha. Earlier they had sent me a letter stating that if reached the top two in the country, Ti would bes

Automatically picked, two weeks before getting the letter, I had played against Joshna Chinappa and was declared the runners up. But supposedly, being a government organization, they had picked the team one month before an I wasn’t elected!

If you want to play squash in India, you have to be with the Academy, but since they treated me badly, I didn’t want to be with them. But I didn’t really have a choice as I was under a contract till January last year. So I went off to Egypt without telling the Academy. Egypt in known for the best squash players in the world. My mother approached coach Amir Wagi who is an Egyptian and who was the coach of the Kuwaiti national team. I met him at an Asian event. The first time he saw me, he said, ‘this girl has talent and if she trains well, she will do well’.

At that time, I was also pretty frazzled with the national tournament. It was really weird because the first year I won, and the next few years, I lost. It was so jinxed, every time I was 2-0 up, I knew I would screw up. I knew something would go wrong. The refereeing was rigged – I used to play with this other Chennai girl (I am not naming her), and the Academy was always on her side. That’s how the sports arena is, full of politics.

Once I shifted to Egypt, I gained more confidence because I knew I was so much better than that Chennai girl. In the beginning, I was nervous that they would rig the match. But myt coach would tell me to stop worrying about these things and concentrate on the game. And, that is what I believe in now! Know I have so much talent and I should not be worried about other things.

Even though I was in Fgypt, my studies were not really affected. At lady Andal, all the notes were available on the internat, which made it very easy for me and the principal was also very supportive. I don’t go to school half the time but I come back for the exams

I have been training in Egypt for the past two years. Before the British Open (Janusry 2008), I trained really hard for about one month and injured my back too. I had never trained so hard for a tournament before and the British Open is as big as Wimbledon. The injury happened when I was playing with a boy and he, by mistake, whacked me on my back with his racket. After that I couldn’t walk for two days. My mom said, ‘The British open is a big thing for you but you have many years ahead of you and you don’t have to push yourself’.

Despite my injury, I played the British Open because I had sent my entry, and it was my last year to play for ‘Under 17’. My first really tough match was the quarterfinals where I played Laura Gemella from Canada who was No. 1 there. I qualified for the finals for the first time in five years. Squash players Saurav Ghosal, who was there too, gave me tips which helped a lot. The girl played in the finals, Heba from Egypt, was the one who had won the British Open successively for five years.

On the day of the finals, my mom told me, just go and play your best. I went on the court, won the first game, lost the second, won the third and lost the fourth. It was a close match but I made it up by winning the next few points. And finally. I won the game! I was so delighted that I threw my racket in the air with joy. The British open is one of the biggest tournament and only Saurav and Joshna had won it before. And I had actually won it! I was overjoyed! I could see Saurav and my sister jumping in the audience. I had never thrown my racket like that, not my style. Even if it falls down ny mistake, I take it and kis it, but this was a different high altogether!

Usually, people party after winning the British Open but I slept unusually early that night. The next morning, congratulatory calls poured in from all over. But I didn’t hear from the federation, which really hurt. The Federation also dropped me from the Asian Seniors this years, which was in February in Kuwait. I was doing my physiotherapy during the trails. So I sent them a letter saying. ‘I won’t be able to come for the trails because of this but if you want me to come, I will’ when the selected list was out, my name was not in it, and that’s how I found out that I was not in the team even after winning the British Open!

My father said he would file a case. I told him there was no use filing a case. Joshna had filed eight cases against the Federatiom, and it did not get her anywhere. But still my dad went ahead and filed case. He is not fighting just for me but a lot of other people who suffer because of the Federation. His two contentions are: there should be proper selections and there should be a proper ranking system in India.

I have currently shifted base to Kuwait and signed a contract with the Qadsia Club, which is the best club in Kuwait. I also got and offer to sign a contract with the Qatar Squash Federation saying that they will give mea passport and a million dollars to play for their country. But since I’m and Indian first and I only want to represent my country, I declined the offer.

I am happy the Federation has chosen me for an Asian event this year. I’m also preparing for the British Open Seniors, and the WISPS (Women’s International Squash Professional Association) tournaments in Malaysia and Vietnam.

But after winning the British Open, everything has changed. The Mittal Champions Trust now funds my training and travels, and Mahesh Bhupathi’s Globosport manages my career. It feels great to be World No.1 in the ‘Under 17’ age group.

But it’s tough too. I stay out of the country for almost eight months in a year. I miss my family, but most of the times, my mother travels with me. And when I’m goint to a country where I can shop a lot, I coax my father into coming along so I can bully him more than my mom.

As for life beyond squash, I finished my boards this October and am in the 11^th now, so I am taking it a bit easy now. Otherwise, I am lime any other normal teenager. I love dressing, and make it a point to look my best always. My nails are a very important part of me, I love dressing them up. Shopping for the latest trends in clothes – ‘Mango’, ‘Guess’, ‘Forever 21’ – when I travel is an obsession. My weakness though is spending too much. Well I am not into partying for the moment, but I will, my squash permitting, be a party animal soon.

I have also been approached by the Tamil film industry and even sat through a story session with actor Madhavan over coffee. But my father did not agree because he feels I have a bigger responsibility of winning more titles and laurels for the country. Which is fine by me – squash is my priority love and life!

My main ambition in life is to have successful squash career and a relaxed modeling career, and excel in both! Yes, I have a thing for modeling. Both may seem tough but I have the faith and ‘Faith and Impossible’ don’t go together. I have a tough mind and a strong will. I believe in never giving up. It’s a tough world out there, but you can overcome it…

SHOCKING As it may seem that while the new Sports Minister, M.S. Gill has taken a serious view of the observations made by the government observer (GO) on women’s hockey regarding the poor fitness of players during the Olympic qualifier’s in Kazan (Rusia), another GO in another sports discipline has been shown the door for calling a spade

Six times national champion and the government nominee for squash- a priority sports now- Brig Raj Manchanda has been told his services are no longer required. A terse two lineletter written by deputy secretary, Government of India. Deepika Kachhal, says; “I am directed to inform you that Brig Raj Manchanda will no longer be the government observer in the discipline of squash.”

Even more shocking is the fact that this is the same GO, who was given a pat on the back by the Ministery just a forthnight back. In his letter to the controversy ridden Squash Racquet Federation of India (SRFI), the Ministry director Joe Sabstian had said on April 4. “I would like to bring to your notice that Brig Raj Manchanda has been repeatedly reporting that SRFI is not selection trials and events.

The government observer is the representative of this ministry and the national sports federation (NSFs) are obliged to inform the GO aboutselection Committee meetings and important national and international events, “Sebastian said in his letter addressed to SRFI secretary general N. Ramchandran.

In fact, the Ministry has quoted extensively from Manchanda’s scathing report on SRFI in its submissions to the delhi High Court recently in the squash players Deepika Pallikal vs Union of India& others case.

Manchanda has pointed out in his report that for opportunity was not being given to deserving players. He has highlighted scores of anomalies over the years in selection procedures for major international events like Asian and World championships.

He also raised a big question mark over the 2006 Doha Asian Games bronze medal won by Saurav Ghosal.

HT had carried a report titled “Doha Asian Games bronze medal fixed?” on February 14 this year highlighting the fact that the Games draw could have been manipulated to ensure India a medal, Only a couple of mo9nths back, Insi’s World no.1 ranked player in the U-19 category and British Open champion Deepika Pallikal was ignoredfor the Asian in Kuwait.

Manchanda had written in his report, “The main aim of SRFI appears to be to promote the Indian Cement Ltd Academy players with a condition that they obey at their diklats, right or wrong, ethical or notat the expense of players from the rest of India.

Apparently those players having a mind of their own and having different views, also quickly get into the ‘outsider’ category. India No.1 Joshna Chinappa and Deepika Pallikal are the blatant examples of this discrimination.

There are quite a few other examples of discrimination and suppression, of losser players. That does not make those any less poignant since talent was nipped in the bud

Now the Gossacking has come just five days before the trials for the Asian Junior championship (in Korea-June) and world junior championships (Switzerland July), Government guidelines say it is mandatory for the GO to be present at the trails.

Interestingly, what would be the ministry’s take on the submissions made to the High Court in the above mentioned case in the aftermath of the sacking of Manchanda. Will they withdraw the submissions?

While M.S. Gill did not take calls despite repeated attempts, the misistry’s join secretary in Jeti Srinivas phone was switched off. Secretary (Sports) S.K. Arora declined to comment on the issue “No comments,” he said.

Daryl Selby and Alister Walker boosted the English content of the draw by two following four-game qualifying final wins over India's Saurav Ghosal and Jan Koukal, from the Czech Republic, respectively.

"I'm ecstatic to qualify for such a big event again," said 25-year-old Selby after his 11-8, 5-11, 11-5, 11-6 victory. "There's always pressure on the top eight seeds in qualifiers, and it's such a big difference in points and money if you get through. I've just got a new flat with my girlfriend, so she can have a trip to IKEA now!"

Julian Illingworth, the three times US champion from New York, made it through to the biggest tournament of his career when he beat former Indian champion Ritwik Bhattacharya 11-7, 11-4, 11-9.

"I don't have a game plan really - if I'm hitting it well, I go for it, if not, I'm not going to force it, whatever the body/racquet tells you on the day," explained the 24-year-old world No39. "But today, I was shooting more than I would normally do, because at the back, he is pretty strong."

The only upset came as Ritwik Bhattacharya, the former Indian champion returning to the venue where he played the Asian Championships in February, overcame Australian Aaron Frankcomb - ranked 15 places higher in the world - in three well-contested games, triumphing 11-4, 11-9, 11-6 in 53 minutes.

They are rivals; they are friends. They are young and beautiful and are already the queens in Indian squash. They are from Chennai but are already on their way to becoming the country’s next sporting icons. Meet Joshna Chinappa and Dipika Pallikal as they talk about life, sport and everything they love in this all-girl talk for The Times of India.

On life in Chennai

Joshna: I got my graduation certificate just three days ago and everyone’s been asking me only thing: which college is crazy enough to give me a degree (laughs aloud). I simply tell them: ‘now I'm beauty and brains put together' (smiles). Since I'm hardly home, I call friends over. I love spending time with my family, especially with my younger brother (Gaurav).

Dipika: I'm in Chennai till the 19th of this month and all that I plan to do is chill out with friends. Maybe, do a few modelling assignments.

On family:

Joshna: My parents struggled a lot initially to find sponsors. Whatever resources they had were all spent towards my squash dreams. My brother was a compromised child that way. But now, he's the priority. And, he orders me around and gets whatever he wants when I'm traveling abroad. (smiles). He's the big bully. He's got a very sharp tongue. He's the only one who can put me in my place. Unlike my dad, my mom doesn't follow squash. And just then, Mrs Chinnappa walks into the tastefully done living room and interrupts the conversation: ‘You are playing some Liverpool tournament next, right Josh?' That's enough to invite a roar of laughter from everybody in the room. 'I'll tell Nicole (World No. 1 Nicole David of Malaysia) that my mom called the British Open -- which is like tennis’ Wimbledon – a Liverpool tournament! How could you say something like that mom?' (giggles all around).

Dipika: Being the youngest of three sisters, I'm the pampered kid in the family. We get along like a house on fire. Divya (the eldest one) and Dia are both into their books while I'm the sporty one.

On education:

Joshna: My mother always saw to it that my education never suffered. ‘What if you get injured and cannot play? You will need education to support yourself,’ was something she always told me. But I've always lived on the edge as far as education is concerned. I've never been the kind who'd prepare for weeks before exams. I always studied eight hours before the paper because I loved the thrill of finishing X lessons in Y amount of time. Also, I studied only 60% of the lessons and whatever I studied would invariably come in the exams. People may think I'm arrogant but that's how I am. Getting A+ is not my priority. Squash is. Even though I'm an English Literature graduate from Ethiraj College, I don't claim that my English is super (winks).

Dipika: Since Josh and Sourav (Ghoshal) studied in the same school (Lady Andal), they were aware of our training schedules. They've been very supportive all throughout. I have my XII board exams coming up in October.

On the WISPA tour:

Joshna: Oh, I think I was born to play this game. (Adds after a pause)... the girls are friendly and I get along with most of them. Nicole and I get along really well because we travel for the Asian events together. However, there are a few girls who don't play the game in the true spirit. They block you, abuse you on the court but I never give it back to them. I simply approach the referee. I can be really mean, trust me (stares you in the eye) but I don't wanna be. There have been times when I've had bruises on my body after a match and then the same opponent has tried to be friendly off-court. I don't relate to that because I think a lot of what you are reflects on the court. You can't be so vastly different on and off it. So, that way I'm a little selective about who I hang out with on the circuit. And, I never party when I'm abroad, even if my friends do.

Dipika: There have been instances when players have blocked me during a match but I haven't encountered sledging on court so far.

On training:

Joshna: Oh, I've become more disciplined after moving into my grandparent's house (giggles). It's closer to the ICL academy where I train, so it's convenient. At home, my parents don't tell me anything, I do whatever I want. But at my grandparent's place, I have my meals on time and am punctual for my practice too. I visit my parents during weekends and spoil myself crazy. No training on weekends (giggles aloud). It's all about hanging out with friends and indulging in all kinds of food, including chocolates. I'm a chocaholic. I can't have one bar at a time so it's like either 6-7 at a time or none. I also train in London under coach Malcolm Wilstrop.

Dipika: I’m based in Kuwait now and training with former pro Amir Wagih. He's like a father figure to me there. There have been a lot of controversies around me in recent times and he's stood by me through thick and thin.

On themselves:

Joshna: I like to think I'm good at whatever I do (giggles). Even though I took up squash, I was pretty good at tennis and badminton too. After a tennis match with a friend, I’m like ‘don't you think I'm too good’ (adds giggling) and he has no choice but to say ‘yes Josh’ (laughs even more). I’m very vivacious and chirpy, unlike my girlie gang.

Dipika: I just love shopping (giggles). Now that I have my own credit card, I think I’ve become worse. (Joshna interrupts, saying) ...she would marry any guy who would take care of her credit card bills and mobile expenses... (laughs aloud, before asking Dipika) ‘so, how much was the mobile bill this time, babe?’ ‘Don't' even ask’ is all Dipika says before bursting into peels of laughter.

Dipika: I'm very religious. I pray before every match. And, I pray at the church, temple and mosque. I wear a cross on my neck, this thread (pointing to the thick red band on her right hand) is from the dargah and I keep packets of vibhuti which I picked up from a temple.

On having each other for company on the Tour:

Joshna: We don't normally play the same tournaments and I'm much senior to her, so I'm used to being on my own. But, whenever we are together we have a lot of fun... (Dipika butts in ) ‘shopping. Remember, Josh how we shopped like crazy in Malaysia last time’ (both laugh aloud).

On being fashion conscious:

Joshna: I’m into high-end designer wear. I swear by Abercrombie (pointing to her tee), Topshop, Tommy Hilfiger, Diesel, Mango. I shopped like crazy when I was in States last year. LA, NY have a great range of clothes. I like to wear all colours from orange to pink. I do wear Indian clothes on special occasions like festivals and weddings, but I’m home in my denims. I think I’m gonna get married in jeans because the only time I wore a sari, I ended up looking like Chameli (laughs out loud, adding) as it was red and blue. I'm not too much of a jewellery person though.

Dipika: I'm very conscious of what I wear on court. I love (Maria) Sharapova and Ana (Ivanovic). For me, it's important that I look good on court because I don't feel comfortable otherwise. I swear by Forever 21. I love to shop in America and Australia. People say Paris has great stuff but I didn't quite like anything there. Maybe, I went to the wrong places.

You can see I love jewellery (pointing to the four studs on the top of her ear and the beautiful green jadau danglers which she picked from Ajmer). ‘Hey you forgot about the anklet,’ adds Joshna teasingly. I love wearing Indian clothes. I wear them for the monthly prayer services we have at home.

On the craziest thing they've done:

Joshna: I got my belly pierced after I lost a match. I wanted to feel some pain and so got it done. Once I got my eyebrow pierced too. I also got the Smoking Devil tattoo on my back.

Dipika: At the moment everything around me is pink. I've painted my room pink. I'm picking up only pink outfits these days. And, I recently bought this really expensive camera just because it was pink.

On Movies

Joshna: I can watch anything from English, Hindi, Tamil and Telugu. The last two with sub-titles though. Actually, I watch English flicks with sub-titles too (giggles).

Dipika: I like Grey's Anatomy, One Tree Hill, Heroes. I watched OC but it got very boring in the fourth season.

Dipika: My best friend is part of a band called Substance. They are into rock music and although they are all my age, they seem to be doing pretty well. I like their work.

On modeling/ acting offers

Joshna: I did a couple of shoots for my sponsors but otherwise movies and modelling is a strict no no.

KUALA LUMPUR, March 26: Joshna Chinappa's agonising wait for her maiden WISPA title continued as the Indian number one went down in straight games to top seed Jaclyn Hawkes of New Zealand in the final of the NSC Star Series squash tournament here on Wednesday.

The reigning national champion lost 1-9 2-9 8-10 in a 30-minute clash to lose her second successive final.

Sixth seeded Joshna, who was blown away in the opening two games, tried to claw her way back in the third game but Hawkes weathered the late fightback by the Indian.

The loss was yet another heartbreak for Joshna, who had lost in the finals of Vietnam Open a fortnight ago.

For Hawkes, the win here has given the Kiwi her second WISPA title in three years.

THE SQUASH Racquet Federation of India (SRFI) is yet to wake up to the fact that squash has become a 'priority' sport in the country. In yet another example of their arbitrary style of functioning, all norms of trials and selection were thrown to the wind to accommodate certain players so that they could participate in the Qatar Junior Open from March 14 to 18.

All four players in the U-15 team — Sajid Hussain, Roshan Kanna, Deepak Mishra and Kush Kumar — participated in the tournament despite the fact that there are more than a dozen better players in the country. National coach Cyrus Poncha, when contacted said, it was an invitational tournament and individual players foot their own bill. "There was no need for trials or selection as it was an invitational tournament. The players who wanted to participate approached us and we simply assisted them," said Poncha. "There wasn't any team event in the championships," he added. But contrary to Poncha's comments, India also participated in the team category where it finished fifth, higher only to Qatar who finished last.

Also, the country's top age group players didn't even have an idea about the dates of the tournament and were not apprised by the national coach. Surprisingly, exactly four players 'applied' and all of them were automatically selected to represent the country. What also defies logic is the fact that Pakistan sent its best juniors like Farhan Zaman and Nasir Iqbal among others and they won all the four individual age-group titles in the Under-19, U-17, U-15 and U-13 categories as also the team championships. In fact, the Indian team lost 3-0 to Pakistan in the U-15 category with Sajid being thrashed by Pak's Nasir Iqbal 9-0, 9-0, 9-0.

The irony doesn't end here. Sajid was India's 'top seed' for the Qatar event. But back home in India, he was a reserve in the Delhi inter-state u-15 team in 2007 and lost in the third round at the junior nationals in Ajmer. If the SRFI says it didn't select the team, then who gave Sajid the top seeding?

In the individual championships, he finished a poor 10th out of 12 competitors, while Roshan Kanna, the national u-11 runner-up, came 7th. India can boast of a strong field in the u-15 category, with the likes of national champion Mahesh Mangonkar, runner-up Abhishek Pradhan, Akash Bornwankar (4th position) and the likes and still they chose Sajid Hussain and Roshan Kanna?

The government guidelines say: "For proposal at 'no cost to government', the selection procedures as laid down in the guidelines must be followed." In this case, probably all norms seems to have been flouted.

Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/StoryPage/StoryPage.aspx?id=bc0690b8-2286-465a-922b-b9f49876bd8b

Gagged and squashed
Article in Hindustan times, Mumbai, Saturday, March 15, 2008

SMARTING FROM the recent furore over the omission of British Open junior champion Dipika Pallikal for the Asian championship, the Squash Racquet Federation of India (SRFI) has issued a gag order on players, warning them of stringent action if they air their grievances in the media.

In a letter to all affiliated units, associate members, clubs and colleges, the SRFI has issued an Indian Hockey Federation-style order; a copy of which is with Hindustan Times, in which it says that the federation’s disciplinary committee would take action as it deems fit against the ‘erring’ players.

The letter, signed by SRFI Secretary General N Ramachandran, literally questions the fundamental rights of a player / official to air his/her grievances.

It reads: “We wish to bring to your notice that in the recent past we have had several instances of parents / coaches / players writing letters to the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to deliberately discredit the functioning of the federation on various issues. In some cases, articles criticizing the functioning have been channeled through the Government of India observer (Brigadier Raj Manchanda).”

Manchanda, reacting to the comments, said he was aware of a letter circulated to affiliated units and said it infringed on the fundamental right to speech.

“ If they (SRFI) are not giving any clarification on issues of team selection, holding of camps and other related issues, that’s just being nasty. What recourse am I left with if they don’t want to call me during team selection and other important meetings? I have to go directly to the Ministry,” he said.

The letter warns: “The president/secretary-general are authorized to take disciplinary action on a player/players/associations who indulge in any undersirable activity which will bring discredit/ affect the functioning of the federatin…There have been instances where parents have directly approached the electronic and print media with false and incorrect information to deliberately discredit the functioning of the federation. Such actions are against the rules and regulations of federation.”

The SRFI has been in the midst of controversy with litigation being filed against them in the Delhi High Court questioning why Pallikal, the second- ranked squash player in the country, and Sandeep Jhangra, were dropped from the Asian Championships squad recently.

A bigger controversy involves whether the 2006 Doha Asian Games bronze medal, clinched by Saurav Ghosal, was fixed.

The latest development comes at a time when Andrew Shelly, the Women’s International Squash Players Association (WISPA) chief executive, was reportedly meeting Ramachandran in Delhi.

All efforts to contact Ramachandran were in vain, while national coach Cyrus Poncha said it would be “Pretty of me if I replied to such queries.”

Questioned on the order, I Srinivas, Joint Secretary of the Sports Ministry, said that fedrations were self-regulatory bodies and framed their rules, “but if there are serious issues with players/parents, there was no restriction on them coming directly to the ministry ir going to the Indian Olympic Association.”

Mumbai: Mumbai lad Aditya Jagtap added to his growing reputation in junior international squash when winning the under-17 title in the French Junior Tournament, a Super Series tournament in the European Circuit, which ended on Saturday in Marseille.

According to his father Ravi, Aditya beat Lucas Serme of France 9-10, 10-8, 9-4, 9-1 in the final. In the semifinal Aditya beat Demont Geoffrey also from France 10-8, 9-2, 9-3.

This was his third victory in the European Circuit Super Series tournament. He had already won Nordic Jr Open in 2006 and German Jr Open in 2007. He was also runner-up in Nordic Junior Open and Belgian Jr Open in 2007. This victory gives Aditya, who studies in Bombay Scottish, the No 2 ranking in European Squash Federation lists.

Aditya’s performances at the British Junior Open 2008 were not truly appreciated. Seeded 9/16 he shocked No 2 seed and Pakistan U-17 National Champion Farhan Zaman before meeting the eventual champ, Karmin Abdel Awad barely six hours later. Aditya and Gawad from Egypt played for 83 minutes and Awad won 3-9, 9-4, 7-9, 9-2, 9-7.The win over Farhan was the the biggest win of Aditya’s career. Aditya secured 7th position in the World’s most prestigious junior squash tournament.

India’s Joshna Chinappa conceded her semifinal to Rebecca Chiu 9-0, 9-2 in the Asian Squash Championship in Kuwait last week. Malaysia scored a double by winning both men’s and women’s events. No 1 seed Nicol David beat Hong Kong’s Chiu 9-0, 9-2, 9-0 for the women’s title. Aslan Iskander beat Ong Beng Hee 5-9, 8-10, 9-5, 9-0, 9-7 in an all-Malaysian men’s final.

It was almost as if this script was written with India in mind. And, perhaps it was.

In December 2006, India won a rare bronze medal for squash in the last Asian Games at Doha. But, in an equally rare circumstance and one that is peculiar, India knew they were assured of a bronze even before the quarterfinals began.

(With just two players of every nationality participating in the Games, it was strange (at the very least) how the two Indian seeded players were clubbed in the lower half of the draw, while the two Pakistani seeds — Mansoor Zaman and Aamir Atlas — came together in the upper half.)

How? Well, the quarterfinal draw saw Indians Ritwick Bhattacharya and Saurav Ghosal pitted against each other in the lower half.

One of them would naturally go through to the semifinal and in the Asian Games, if you reach the last four, you are assured of at least a bronze.

Two things must be noted here. First, only two players per country are allowed. And if both reach the quarterfinal, then there are written guidelines that are generally followed. According to the Asian Squash Federation (ASF) rulebook for events like the Asian Games: “It is customary to ensure that wherever possible players of the same nationality do not meet each other in the first round and are preferably separated into the top and bottom halves of the draw.”

With just two players of every nationality participating in the Games, it was strange (at the very least) how the two Indian seeded players were clubbed in the lower half of the draw, while the two Pakistani seeds — Mansoor Zaman and Aamir Atlas — came together in the upper half.

It also was extremely convenient (or lucky), that with players from 15 Asian countries, ranging from Jordan to the Philippines in a draw of 32, only Indian and Pakistani players were clubbed in the same sides.

On November 28, India’s national coach, Cyrus Poncha, announced the draw in Chennai in the presence of the ASF president and Squash Racquet Federation of India (SRFI) secretary, N Ramachandran. India’s national consultant coach S Maniam (also Ghoshal’s coach) set the seedings, while Fahim Gul (the Pakistani national coach) and Tony Choi of the Malaysian federation were the other members of the draw committee.

The Indian government appointed an observer for squash, Brigadier Raj Manchanda - a six-time national champion himself – who looked into the matter and his remarks in his final report to the Ministry (a copy of which is with the Hindustan Times) make for interesting reading. “At the Asian Games 2006, we had the distinction of getting the bronze. This would have been indeed a very commendable achievement in the face of formidable players from Malaysia and Pakistan. However, our players did not have to play them till the semifinals; they played each other in the quarterfinal (second round), which ensured a place for an Indian player in the semifinal and thus a bronze medal. The draws were made by the SRFI-run ASF and credit goes to them for making a draw like that…”

He continued, “… it would, however, have been much more satisfying if the bronze had been won with our two top players in different halves of the draw - as is done in all individual games where there are only two participants per country - rather than clubbing them in the same half against each other in the quarterfinal which ensured a bronze medal.”

At the Asian Championships held in Taiwan in February 2006, the PSA (Professional Squash Association)/WISPA (Women’s International Squash Professional Association) rankings were used to make the draw, which is the norm. Four Pakistanis made the quarters but did not play each other till the semifinals. Both Bhattacharya (5) and Ghoshal (6) lost to Pakistan’s Mansoor Zaman (4) and Shahid Zaman (3) respectively. Thus, no Indian made the semifinals.

At the Asian Games, the PSA/WISPA ranking wasn’t used. This only happens when the rankings of players have not been documented or there is a discrepancy on their current form. A majority of those who played the Asian Championships and the Asian Games were common, so this was not the case here.

Ramachandran could not be contacted despite repeated attempts over several days to seek clarity on the matter. But all of what we have stated here is documented. India winning medals in multidisciplinary events is rare. So they are extremely lucky that at least this one was ensured.

Ghosal, Joshna advance; Ritwik bows out of Asian C'ship
Article in Hindustan Times, Mumbai, Kuwait, February 14, 2008

Saurav Ghosal and Siddharth Suchde were the only Indians left in the men's singles event after two of their compatriots, including former national champion Ritwik Bhattacharya, crashed out in the second round of the Asian Squash Championships here.

Among the women, national champion Joshna Chinappa and fellow Indian Anwesha Reddy also moved into the second round.

Ghosal advanced to the third round of the prestigious tournament after beating Kuwaiti Nasser Al Rashed 9-3 9-1 9-2 in the opening round and another local hope Ali B Al-Ramezi 9-2 9-2 9-2 in the second round yesterday.

The reigning national champion will now take on Hong Kong's Max Lee in the third round.

Suchde, meanwhile, first got the better of Iranian Mahd Reza Sadeghpour 9-6 9-5 9-1 in a 44-minute contest before defeating Taipei's Huang Cheng Yao in the second round.

However, Ritwik and Naresh Kumar crashed out in the second round. Ritwik breezed past Kuwaiti Shallan Ahmed 9-7 9-3 9-1 in merely 19 minutes before Kuwaiti Mohd Y Hajeyah tamed the Indian 9-4 3-9 9-5 6-9 10-8 in a 93-minute battle.

Naresh suffered a similar fate. After a comfortable 9-0 9-3 9-5 win over Sri Lankan Aruna Hewage, he was outplayed 1-9 4-9 1-9 by Hong Kong's Wong Wai Hang.

In the women's section, where India is without British Junior Open champion Dipika Pallikal, who was omitted from the team for not attending a mandatory camp, both Joshna and Anwesha moved into the second round.

Joshna thrashed China's Wu Zhen Zhen 9-0 9-4 9-1 in just 17 minutes to set up a clash with Pakistan's Maria Toor, while Anwesh defeated Taipei's Hsieh Ssu Han 9-1 9-0 9-1 and will now be up against Malaysian Sharon Wee.

While Harita lost Japan's Chnatsu Matsui 4-9 0-9 3-9, Surbhi went down to Hong Kong's Christina Mak 0-9 6-9 7-9.

RESULTS:

Mens’ Singles:

Rd 1: Saurav Ghosal (Ind) bt Nasser Al Rashed (Kuw) 9-3, 9-1, 9-2;
Rd 2: Saurav Ghosal (Ind) bt Ali B Al-Ramezi (Kuw) 9-2, 9-2, 9-2;
Rd 1: Siddharth Suchde (Ind) bt Mahd Reza Sadegh-Pour (Ira) 9-6, 9-5, 9-1;
Rd 1: Ritwik Bhattacharya (Ind) bt Shallan Ahmed (Kuw) 9-7, 9-3, 9-1;
Rd 2: Mohd Y Hajeyah (Kuw) bt Ritwik Bhattacharya (Ind) 9-4, 3-9, 9-5, 6-9, 10-8
Rd 1: Naresh Kumar (In) bt Aruna Hewage (Sri) 9-0, 3-9, 9-5;
Rd 2: Wong Wai Hang (Chn) bt Naresh Kumar (Ind) 9-1, 9-4, 9-1.

Suchde Scores Maiden PSA Title In St Louis

15th January 2008

Indian Siddharth Suchde secured his maiden PSA Tour title in some style in the USA after upsetting two higher-seeded players to reach the final of the Regions Racquet Club Pro Squash Series at the Racquet Club in St Louis.

The US-based eighth seed from Mumbai removed Canada's fourth seed Ian Power in the quarter-finals before toppling top-seeded Australian Tony James in straight games in the semi-finals.

His unseeded opponent Cesar Salazar reached the final after overcoming seeds in the three earlier rounds.

New Delhi: Comparing the two Variable of the line graph of the ranking history on the net. One comes to a conclusion that Gaurav Nandrajog must be going through one of the finest time of his professional squash career- considering that he achieved his higest ranking of 130 in the world recently. But that impression lasts only till you meet him. After all, a graph doesn’t have the capacity to spell out the emotional quotient of a sportsman.

“You would guess that I must have improved my game between 2005 and 2007 given the fact that I’ve moved up from207 to 130 in rankings in that period. But the reality is I’ve been aching all through the last two years,” said the 23-year-old Nandrajog. “ I was obsessed about my fitness, I couldn’t relax for three hours straight. I had to do some activity or the other. Otherwise, I thought I was lagging behind in fitness.

“Another mi8stek I made repeatedly over the last two years was that I didn’t distinguish between pre-season training and post-season training. After a season would end I would end I would start straight off with eight hour of fitness training. I learn’t it late and all by myself that when you start off on your fitness regime after a gap, one has to build up the intensity of the program gradually. But nobody told me about it and I didn’t listen to myown body. Even if I was injured I would still train leading to recurring injuries.”

But despite “hurting” in his ankle, Nandrajog chugged along and still managed to put up quite a good show which is evedent from his ranking history (he climbed 65 places in 2007). Nandrajog is although peeved with himself for losing some close matches. “In the last four tournaments, I lost almost all my matches in five setters. Those matches could have gone either way.”

At the last quarter of 2007, Nandrajog took a break, sorted his mind out and started taking it easy as far as his fitness is concerned and as a result, the India No.3 is back at hundred per cent and is planning to move to Canada to further his career and sharpen his skills. “ I will train with Jonathan Power (the former world No.1) in Canada. I need to move out of India. It’s making me uncomfortable practicing with juniors,” stated the Delhi-based player.

“I knock with them everyday and it’s helping their game but I’m stuck at the same level. There will at least be two or three guys in the top 30 of the world being coached at the Willingdon Club (Toronto). It would be immensely helpful to my game if I get to knock with them everyday.”

Needless to sat that for those four months that he is planning to stay in Canada, Nandrajog is desperately is looking for funding.

The Canada sojourn, Nandrajog hopes, will reduce the chasm between Sourav Ghosal (India No.1 and world No.47), Ritwik Bhattacharya (India No.2 and world No.61) and himself. Nandrajog has been No.1 in U-15, U-17 and U-19 in India but since U-19, for the last five years, Saurav Ghosal has always beaten him. “Saurav has gone ahead of me because he built himself up slowly, more systematically. Where as I went boom and then cracked, mentally. I’m sure 2008 is going to me one of my best years. I am not going to be impulsive, I have promised myself.”

INDIANS PLAYERS were brought down to earth after their 'superb' performance in the Scottish Junior Open squash tournament in late December last year. Barring Anwesha Reddy and eventual U-17 champion Dipika Pallikal, all exited before the semifinal round in the British Open which was held at Sheffied immediately after the Scottish sojourn.

The chief consultant coach, S. Maniam, had told the Hindustan Times after the 'great' performance at the Scottish Open, that he was hopeful of a good performance in England too. However, things seem to have gone terribly awry. Maniam had said that the Scottish Open would serve to acclimatise the players for the tougher British Open. The Indians had won a whopping four age-group titles and finished runners-up in two categories.

On January 3, HT had quoted Squash Racquet Association of Malaysia (SRAM) president Datuk Sani Karim as saying that the Scottish Open was a 'low-grade' tournament and that the SRAM would prefer spending money in a better way.

At the British Open, Pallikal, who left the SRFI-ICL academy in Chennai and is now training under Egyptian coach Amir Wagih, was the only bright spot as she won the U-17 title beating defending champion for the last five years, Heba El Torky. She had skipped the Scottish Open.

Barring Reddy who exited in the quarterfinal, the rest could not go beyond the third round (Pre-quarterfinals) (see box).

Maniam, however, put up a brave front. "I am extremely satisfied with the performance," he said adding, "Dipika won the U-17 gold which is a major achievement, while Anwesha Reddy entered the quarterfinals of the Under-17 category…the players had performed to expectation."

Interestingly, the other player to do well at the British Open was Aditya Jagtap, who too did not take part in the Scottish Open. He was a bit unlucky but his achievements were no less commendable, considering that he beat Pakistani U-17 champion and second-seed Farhan Zaman 3-2 and lost in the quarterfinals to Egyptian Karim Abdel Gawad in a marathon 83-minute match. Gawad went on to win the tournament by beating the top seeded player of his country.
Comparison

A COMPARISON

SCOTTISH OPEN

Boys (U-19) : Harinderpal Sandhu (champion)
(U-17) : Karan Mallik (runner-up)
(U-15) : Mahesh Mangaonkar (champion)
(U-11) : Sandeep Ramchandran (champion)
Girls (U-17) : Anwesha Reddy
(U15) : B. Aprajitha (runner-up)

(Six players who failed in both tournaments have been ignored)

BRITISH OPEN

Lost in 3rd rd
Lost in 1st rd
Lost in 3rd rd
Lost in 1st rd (in U-13 category)
Lost in QF
Lost in 1st rd