Press Report of Raju Chainani (1989)
 
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Mirror, mirror on the wall (P-26)

Indian Express 13-1-1989

CRYSTAL gazing is an art which seems to have been perfected by certain officials of the Maharashtra Squash Association.     After     Adrian Ezra's   historic   victory   over "Meherwan   Daruvala   in   last" week's Nationals there  is  an l told you so attitude by these fortune tellers.

The facts of the matter speak for themselves. At the conclusion of the Western India, Meherwan had won two out of three, encounters with Adrian. But since the team names, apparently, had to be submitted by the end of November, it was decided that Adrian would play number one. Mind you. There wasn't even a play-off, bearing in mind the previous results.

The one-two-buckle-my-shoe "saga took a new turn when Meherwan won the Northern Indian final ten days later. Now there were a few red faces as there was enough ground to justify Meherwan taking pole position. The selectors, however, kept their stand and even suggested that this was strategic planning on their part. After all. Ravinder Malik, the Services champion had not beaten Adrian for two years.

The twist in the tale came at Madras where it was said that whoever won the final or performed the better between the two would play at number one. After all, said the officials, the team names had to be submitted one day before the Inter-State commenced.

Those are the facts of the matter. They show a conflict of opinion between what has been officially disclosed to the public and what is actually correct. There is no escaping from the fact that before the Nationals (I stress the word before because it is here that a State team is selected and not at the eleventh hour), Meherwan was top of the pops. More so, he was seeded number one for the Nationals, ahead of Adrian. But certain powers-that-be decided otherwise. And now, the circus is in full swine whilst these stargazers, who could not tell you the difference between St. Paul and Popeye, continue, to sip their gin and tonics.

THERE was ample evidence in Madras to suggest that Darius Pandole would be a serious contender to the throne, He was delightful to watch as he overcame Narjit and glorious in defeat against Meherwan. That was the match of the tournament, worthy of a final. The early retrieving and deft tough of Darius probing into the near impregnable defence of Meherwan. It was squash, beautiful squash.

The gap between these two and the new champion Adrian is very small. Darius has worked very hard on his stamina and will be a force to reckon with at the February Masters.

Adrian looked impressive right from the start. He has been a thorn in the flesh of Meherwan this season. At Chepauk, the two left-handers fought out another battle royal. The eight years difference in age and a fitter opponent were the deciding factors in the end. A new champ was born. His dedication and skill had won the day where some of his contemporaries may have buckled.

There is a lot more squash left this season. The Invitational Masters are in just over a month's time when the top eight compete for record prize money. Adrian, Meherwan, Darius, Malik, Narjit and Vikas Kapur have booked their places. The other two should come from Arjun Singh, Manchanda, Dev Malani, Rashid Jahangir and Vaman Apte. Dushwant Jamwhal could be a contender as indeed a case be made out for Lt. R. S. Brar and Lt. A. Ganguly. There is a whisper about overseas participation. We will know very shortly.

A final thought. The Brabourne Stadium has always enjoyed the reputation of being a good batting wicket. Alas, the same cannot be said of the much talked about glass-back squash court. The joke around the circuit is that the players aim for the rough. Very sad indeed that Bombay squash has to be played on this spinning wicket.

Ezra back for the hunt (P)

Mid-day 25-11-1989

ADRIAN EZRA, will be in India soon to defend his National Squash title. His manager RAJU CHAINANI spoke to SHARDA UGRA on Ezra's prospects in the 1989-90 squash season.

ADRIAN Ezra, just 18 and yet the   reigning   Indian   national squash   champion   returns   to his homeland next week and begins a hectic season of squash.

He plays the Nationals and the Maharashtra State championships in quick succession and then moves onto the Asian championships in early 1990. Later he will go to Europe to compete in the prestigious Drysdale Cup and the star event, the World Junior Championships in West Germany in August 1990. All eyes will be on him, to evaluate his game and the results of his stay in England.

Ezra has been in England for the past few months, training with the Stripes Club in London. The rewards of this training have begun to show in his international ranking. His rank has moved up from 193 to 135, and he has won the Danish and Newberry under-19 titles and the Frome Cup (for men).

All these successes, at times, seem to overshadow the fact that Ezra, despite his skill as a squash player, is only eighteen. Tennis has seen numerous teen prodigies gather successes and then fall victims of over­kill. Two people involved in ensuring that Ezra's career is correctly handled are his father and his manager Raju Chainani.

Chainani has been associated with the Ezras for a long time, and has watched Adrian grow. Describing his job as the teenager's manager, he says, "We try and see what tournaments would be best for him, to participate in. In the last three years I've seen a transformation from an above average junior to someone who is a very fine player."

But never for one moment does Chainani get Adrian and his game out of perspective. When asked about Ezra's temperament, he says, He's a kid, okay. You mustn't forget that, It's taking time for him to developmental strength that makes him a complete player. It's something were worried about. But he's had coaching, has been getting the experience, he's been learning."

The reasons for Ezra's national titles and numerous victories, Chainani says, "can be summoned in one word perspiration! He works very hard, and there's no substitute for that. He trams in the morning, trains in the evening."

When asked if Ezra misses being an average college student (he was enrolled at   Sydenham before he left for England) Chainani reminds us once again about his age, "Of course he does," But Ezra has reconciled himself to that, as he knows that average college students are not the stuff out of which national champions are made.

"He is really benefiting in England He's someone to look after him there" (his grandmother) "which is very important. In England he is getting good competition. When you lose to a better player you team, the players there are of a world standard. In England he gets thrashed by them. That's when you start thinking, why can't I be like them?"

Ezra shot to instant fame when he beat Meherwan Daruwalla in the finals of the National Championships in 1988 at the age of 17.

Successor

The teenager is the natural successor to the men's squash crown after Col Raj Manchanda and Meherwan Daruwalla. Chainani dismisses the idea that these two men ruled Ac roost for the want of top class competition, which Ezra now is.

"Raj Manchanda won titles when he was 35 plus that is to his credit. He's a clever player youngsters can learn from him. When Adrian first played him. he was confused. All that Manchanda did was make Adrian do all the running. You could clearly see the difference between age and experience. The next year Adrian was a year more experienced and Manchanda a year older, and Adrian just ran him off the court.

When Adrian played Daruwalla in the North India championships and at Bombay Gymn, he lost. But these were very close matches. So when Adrian beat him at the CCI, it was no surprise. It had been very obvious that he had been breathing down Daruwalla neck for a long time. And it would be unfair to say that there has been no competition. There are a lot of strong players around. Darius Pandole, Ravinder Malik, Narjit Singh."

It is obvious that Chainani cannot allow Ezra to get complacent about his international wins and training. "He can do much better than No 135.

We are hoping that he can end up in the high eighties after his international performances in the coming season."

Adrian is in the running for both the under 19 and men's national titles. His is not the only case. In 1965, Anil Nayar won both the junior and men's tides. Says Chainani "You can't say for one moment that Adrian was a better player than Anil.. There was a two-year gap between them (when they achieved this rare double, Anil was 19 and Adrian 17) Anil was a stroke-player. Adrian's game is more along the lines of what squash is today fitness. Adrian is very fit He can run a player into the ground. Look at Jansher, he keeps the ban in play and go on and on. That's the changing face of the game, Jansher, Jahangir, Geoff Hunt have all been very fit men."

Chainani is not interested in any comparisons or in building castles in the air when talking of Ezra's future. "It's dangerous to compare a dump of today with anyone. Adrian wants very much to get the top. He hates to lose."

That's all he will say as to Ezra's potential on the world squash scene. He's not looking for any extensive media coverage of Ezra, and doesn't want anyone placing halos around his protege.

Scholarship

As to what makes world champions, Chainani says, "In today's game it depends on who lasts the distance. That's what makes them marginally better than me rest.''

Ezra win, on completion of this season, leave for Harvard. He is the first Indian to be awarded a squash scholarship there. In actual fact, it was granted to him last year but Ezra wanted to play on the world junior circuit for another year. The University granted him a year's deferment. That decision has proved to be the night one. His training at the Stripes with Mohammed Yasin, (Jansher's coach) has helped him immensely.

So far, the going has been good for nun. Adrian Ezra, 18, has just set out on the road to a long career in squash. Maintaining a standard is not going to be easy. But then, winning the national tide at the age of 17 isn't that easy, either.

Lady sings the blues (P-37)

Indian Express 31/3/1989

BEHIND every great man, they say, there is a woman. The history books give numerous examples of such happenings since the time of Adam and Eve. There have been Solomon and Sheba, Samson and Delilah, Anthony and Cleopatra, Napoleon and Josephine and many others. A case of woman inspiring man to his pinnacle.

But, does the same apply in reverse?  Specially  when  you look at the sporting achievements of the ladies of the land, there's enough evidence to show that their success has been a result of their own doing. Today, one can say that P.T. Usha has had the guidance of Nambiar and more important has had 'a very considerable amount of political support. Without that would she nave achieved or been where she was is a matter of debate.

Our squash queen, Bhuvaneshwan Kumari came up the hard way. She switched from tennis at a time when there was room at the top. But, the results to follow showed that she had made a wise decision. Bhuvaneshwari has won the National title thirteen times in a row. Can you thing of any Indian sportswoman who in her field has achieved as much?

And yet, India's first lady of squash is subjected to the ping-pong battle that always exists in our politbureau. People argue that there is no competition amongst the ladies. Today, it has become a one horse race. The gap between Bhuvaneshwari and the rest reminds me of what Geoff Lewis said when he rode the wonder filly Mill Reef, "Daylight was second".

The politbureau will not tell you that it is their own dog mindedness and lack of fore sight that has hindered the development of ladies squash. Three years ago, Bhuvaneshwari come down to hold a coaching camp for juniors and ladies at the Bombay Gymkhana. It was a sell out. A little organization can help such camps occur again and again. Instead, we have people who love to enjoy their hot seats and eat pan paraag or wear Mickey Mouse shirts.

TODAY in Bombay, there  exist sufficient facilities in the clubs to promote the game amongst the ladies. The power-that-be will tell you about shapes and sizes and where the ladies changing room is but that's about all.

Coming back to Bhuvaneshwari. Here is a prime example of a dedicated sports­woman who has let her racket to do the talking. She has been snubbed by the officials and for the record, was recommended for the Arjuna award only after her eighth national victory. Last year, she won the Kenyan Ladies Open, the first Indian to achieve an international success. Surely, it's time to recognize these achievements.

Backing her all the way have been her father Yashwant Singh, a highly respected tennis administrator, and her brother Yogendra Singh, a former National level squash player. There were no Nambiars or political backing. Instead, it was a hard grind to get to a level where even in the men's event she causes a flutter.

The Indian sportswomen owe their achievements to them selves. They are looked upon as also rans with the men taking the limelight. But can this go on forever? There comes a time when even the champions get fed up with officialdom.

Bhuvaneshwari was livid with the National body last year for their delaying tactics. She let fly and "Operation cover-up" began in great haste. The under water queen, Anita Sood is another who has choice words for the Ganga dins.

From Indian ladies squash and, indeed, any other discipline where the fair sex compete, it can be said that behind any champion there is usually a paanchewing ignorant official. He or she is looking for ways to lower the colors of the ladies.

"Grasshopper", said the wise old man, would you prefer brains and brawn or boobs and beauty?" Master, that is a leading question. I'll have to scratch my brains for an answer."

"Grasshopper, you never had any. You don't know the difference between Oscar Wilde and Kim Wilde. So long as you get a free trip abroad, you couldn't care less if the ladies were cute, cuddly or cockeyed."

It's sad but such is the state of our sport. Where power maniacs and egos matter most. Where favorites are in, real performers have to beg and plead. "Did you know about the rather well built lady who was chosen as chief official of the team?", asked the wise old man, "She was so well stacked that she could win the National Front award.

Jahangir and the looking glass

Indian Express 7/4/1989

"READY for the prosecution, Mr. Khan," "Ready for he defense, Mr. Khan." The Court in question is an all  glass creation which will be the stage for the British. Open Squash Championships. Some three thousand spectators watched last year's final when Jahangir equaled his uncle Hashim's seven British open titles.

Coached by his cousin Rehmat Khan, the world champion is ready for battle. He takes on Jansher who has the services of Mohammed Yasin and the Australian challengers Rodney Martin and Chris Dittmar. The Kangaroos have Geoff Hunt, the eight times champion, to guide them. Also in the tray is Ross Norman, the man who burst the Jahangir bubble three years ago in Toulouse after the Pathan had totted up an unbeaten run of five hundred matches over five and a half years.

The British Open has always been regarded as the Wimbledon of squash. It has progressed from the day of Landsdowne Club to the spectacular Wembley arena. The men who have inscribed their names on the glittering trophy have been out of the ordinary.

The domination of the Khan family since Hashim, Roshan and Azam, in the early fifties, was followed by the magic of the Egyptian Abou Tabyeb. Then there was Jonah Barrington who set off in search of Hashim's record, only to be denied by Mohammed Yasin. The great ambassador of squash, Geoff Hunt, took over the mantle as he thwarted everything thrown at him by the Pathans. And, of course, we have now got Jahangir, with a reasonable case to be regarded as the greatest squash player of all time.

THE history books are filled with the  accounts of the battle royale between Hashim with his unbelievable wizardry pitted  against his younger brother Azam and the outcast cousin Roshan. The Khans brought back, the raptures, mingling the flush of adventure with the finest and most subtle techniques. They kindled ravaging fires of racket skills but scarcely burnt their own fingers lighting them.

After these three musketeers had heralded the dawn of a new era, the rest of the world rose to meet their challenge. Between 1959 and 1981, Taleb, Barrington and Hunt won seventeen titles. The Pathan challenge had been temporarily thwarted. The likes of Moibullah (Jansher's elder brother), Gogi Allaudin, Qamar Zaman, Maqsood Ahmed and Hiddy Jahan were all very much in the frame. Zaman has had the uneviable record of figuring in four British Open finals. He found Hunt in a menacing mood and later was outgunned by Jahangir.

Perhaps, one, can best describe Jahangir in the same words that Cardus used for Mozart, "The perfect balance of two things: perfect form and perfect substance," To use Cardusian prose again and liken the great squash player to the great writer's description of Jack Hobbs," A mistake by ' Jahangir is a sort of disturbance of cosmic orderliness. It is more than a disturbance. It is a solecism in fact, as though a great writer of prose were to fall into an untidy period or actually commit bad grammer."

The game's best known player faces an ordeal by fire. He's been up against it before and the Pathan flag has remained at full mast. The softspoken millionaire has enthralled audiences in all comers of the globe. The challengers will look for dents in his Armour but for seven glorious years at Wembley they've had to play the second fiddle.

The draw has been kind to Jahangir. He has Brett Martin and Ross Norman to contend with whilst Jansher faces a much stiffer test with Rodney Martin and Chris Dittmar in his half.

The past few years have seen a considerable tightening up of the rules and regulations. Foul language, time wasting and gamesmanship have all come under the hammer. The code of conduct is strictly adhered to and fines, suspensions and other penalties enforced. Even Jahangir has been penalized for taking longer than the allowed 60 seconds between games.

"Grasshopper," said the wise old man, "have you watched the British Open?"

"Yes Master. It is always at Wembley. Down the road they have an Indian tandoori restaurant, a mithaiwalla and a paan shop."

"Grasshopper, like every good official, you have your priorities right. Tell me, who do you think will win this year," asked the learned gentleman.

"Genghis Khan, Master. He's very good."

"Grasshopper," concluded the wise old man, "Everything that you know about squash can be written on an ant's kneecap. Genghis was a warrior, Jahangir is the world champion. But that has no meaning as far as you are concerned. 'Maybe, you can be as famous by having an exhibition of all those exotic gillidandas you bought from Wemblly Sports."
   

Calcutta's Grammy Award

Indian Express 21/4/1989
By Raju Chainani

DON'T worry, be happy, that's the clear cut message   from   Chowringee despite the revelation that it's going to cost nineteen lakhs to stage   next   February's   Asian Squash Championships. 

Staggering it may seen but when you take into consideration boarding and lodging for 150 players and officials, for ten days plus organizational expenses it's a realistic estimate.

Since the Asian Championships began almost a decade ago, India as one of the founder members, has been ducking and diving. The 1990 event was accepted and though Bombay politely declined the offer of staging Asia's biggest squash spectacle, Calcutta's polit-bureau were quick to snap up the opportunity.

Raising the funds is going to require a superhuman effort. Already, the construction of the two gallery courts is well under way and early September is earmarked as the inauguration day.

The Calcutta Rackets Club, where the two new courts have been constructed (they are to be known as the Wills Courts), will be the venue for the Asian Championships. Ideally located, in the heart of Chownngee, the club is very close to the Kenil worth Hotel where the players, politicians and chamchas will be housed.

Already, plans have been made to invite Qamar Zaman to play an exhibition match in September. The ageing maestro is still a box-office draw and his racket skills have often been likened to the genuis of Hashim and the late Abou Taleb.

RATHER    strangely,   the powers-that-be in Bombay haven't yet jumped on the band­wagon .    Zaman   can    be    a tremendous help to the talents that exist in the metropolis. Is anyone bold enough to take the cue or do the city's sporting public be left wondering yet again of what could have been? 

There's another interesting point regarding the forth­coming Asian. Today India's top three players Adrian Ezra, Meherwan Daruvala and Darius Pandole are very much part of the Bombay furniture, There's every reason to believe that this trio will spearhead India's challenge in the Asian Championships. So shouldn't they be given every opportunity to train with the likes of Qamar Zaman?

We seem to have developed an expertise in having yes men on committees. People who worry about their own game in the evening and want their photographs in newspapers. Take a close look at  the prize-distribution party snaps and you'll see pictures of people who wouldn't qualify even as the official water-boys. Yet they are prominent with their Monkey brand toothpowder smile.

Right now, with the Asian championship in the final planning stage, there's a lot of tout for the key posts right from "official barber for the tournament" to the "official supplier of chewing gum." Ana the grapevine suggests that some Bombay officials have been, axed because the dates clash with the National Snakes and Ladders Tournament.

"Grasshopper", "said the wise old man, "why have you changed your brand of paan masala."

"I am preparing for Calcutta, Master. It will take me time to get used to the Bengal Special."

"Very interesting, grasshopper. But next you'll be killing us that you're going to buy rasgollas from Aurobindo Road and shoes from Newmarket."

"Master, I am confused. What happened to the old market?"

"Grasshopper, at least you are beautifully, consistently dumb. Newmarket is an integral part of Calcutta just like you are part of the squash furniture. But I don't suppose they teach you these things in your geography classes under the banyan tree."
  
Rasgollas and squash (P40)

Indian Express 24/2/1989
By Raju Chainani

IT is a very tangy cocktail. The city with the Garden of Eden is putting up two glass-back squash courts which would make the Calcutta Rocket Club the best complex in the country. With the backing of ITC, who have pumped in Rs. 15 lakhs, the stage is set for the East to take over from the West as the Mecca of Indian Squash.

The new courts will each have a spectator capacity of 240 seats with the side galleries to accommodate the standing audience. The outside construction is ready and the glass-backs have already been shipped. In another three to four months the finishing touches will be put to the squash complex.

The brain trust behind this scheme have been Micky Chinoy (president of the West Bengal Squash Association), D.G. Rajan (vice-president, Calcutta Rackets Club) and Shishir Bajpria (secretary of the Squash Federation of India). Bombayites are quite familiar with D.G. Rajan. In days gone by, he was the secretary of Bombay Gymkhana squash and handled many a volcanic situation, particularly at the Inter-club event. He was also associated in bringing the Maharashtra State event from Deolali to Bombay under flagship pf Hong Kong Bank. The latest feather in his cap is something for everyone in India an squash to be proud of. It's been a splendid team effort by the trio.

Calcutta's reward for building this complex is the Asian Championships, scheduled for February 1990. Harry Nair, secretary of the Asian Federation, has already visited Calcutta to see how preparations are going ahead.

And so, there is a mouth-watering prospect of seeing the likes of Jehangir and Jansher play in India. But that is going to be in Calcutta and not in Bombay. Our politbureau have politely declined the offer of staging the Asian. It cannot be for lack of sponsorship.

Perhaps there is still time to do something about this. Surely, a tournament of this status can be staged at two venues. Since Calcutta has got first run on the event, maybe the Maharashtra Association can offer to hold the initial rounds of the team championships in Bombay. The final can be held in Calcutta.

This would give our locals a chance to see the superstars in action. It means a lot of orga­nisation and an additional plane journey but that is not a big price to pay for, being part of the Asian championships. We can organise the event, Reliance Cup style, so that the two cities get the benefit. And any spon­sor would thereby get double mileage.

THIS is going to be the first ever visit by the cities of Jehangir and Jansher to India. It's something we should capitalize on. So what if we have to eat humble pie and be the bridesmaids. Surely, that is no reason to deny Bombayites a chance to see the world's best. If Calcutta can have Adami, we'll have to settle for Eve.

Let me take this a stage further. Suppose, for arguments sake, the politbureau decides that the organisation part as too much for them to handle and let Calcutta do the honours. We still can hold something like a charity match or have a curtain raiser to the event.

An India-Pakistan encounter would be a sell-out. Suppose we had this in aid of the Prime Minister's Drought Relief Fund and followed it up with a charity ' dinner. Bombayites would see the top stars, the cream of industrialists would meet them and that could open a lot of doors. It's something that the two giants of squash, Mahindra and Mahindra and Sah and Sanghi might wish to ponder on.

Holding a major tournament in two venues is not a novel idea. Some years ago, the opening rounds of the Britain Open were shifted to Birmingham, Leicester and Sheffield. It gave the locals a chance to see Barrington, Hunt, Zaman and other top stars. It helped squash develop in areas outside London.

It, therefore, came as no surprise when ICI decided to hold a Masters Invitation in Edgbaston. Matches would go on into the late hours. People used to come up from London to watch. One can think of at least few occasions when Ananth Nayak and myself caught a packed midnight train back from Edgbaston Priory.

The Asian Championships is only a year away. There's a lot of work to be done and the likes of Chinoy, Rajan and Bajoria are well aware of this. Mean time, my official friend who was educated in the Garden of Eden (and not Eton) as he pronounces it, is all excited about his latest advertising slogan, "ITC, rasgollas and squash. Made for each other".

Little Danielle Comes a long way
The Star  6-10-1989
 

A Little girl who insisted on tagging along with her mother to her twice weekly social squash gatherings at the Southport Country Club has come a long way.

The tiny tot’s name was Danielle Drady. Now, she’s 21 and ranked number five in the world and aiming to take Australia to the top in women’s squash.

But Danielle always remembers mum Prunella who inspired her. The two are inseparable buddies now.

Her mother never pushed her to succeed in the sport.

“Playing to win all the time can destroy a child’s love for a sport. My parents didn’t pressure me, but they supported me when I decided to take it up seriously,” said Danielle who is in Malaysia to watch her companion, world number four Rodney Martin, in action at the Singer World Open.

“The world squash circuit is a tough one with the players hitting the road eight months in a year.

“It is especially difficult for women to be away from home and travel all over the world alone.

“Rodney has made things easier. I used to have mum with me before. Now I have Rodney to advise me and help me face the pressure and disappointment of defeat,” she said.

Danielle said she entered the Queensland Under-12 “just for the fun of it” when she was eleven.

“When I won, it was like, “Wow! Danielle you are the greatest.’ I was now ready to conquer the world.

She decided to take part in the Queensland amateur league, the youngest player in the league.

She won several Sate tournaments and was picked to join the Australian Institute of Sport where  she was coached by Geoff Hunt and Heather McKay.

She was named to the Australian senior women’s squad in 1987 and she turned pro.

“I began as world number 21 in early January and by the end of the playing season in April, I had gone up to 15th,” she said.

Now, she aims for the top. “I have had good games against the top four of Susan Devoy (New Zealand), Martine Le Moignan (Eng), Lisa Opine (Eng) and Liz Irving (Aust).

“I have beaten Sue or  Lisa but I have stretched them to five several time,” she said.

But Danielle need not worry. Age is on her side and if she keeps improving she can be number one soon enough.

“If I don’t succeed I won’t be heartbroken. I will at least know that I had given my dream a shot,” said Danielle who, even in Malaysia, is not taking things easy.

While here, she continues training under coach Mike Johnson.
 

In search of Gold : (P-45)
Indian Express  17-2-89

What makes you a world champion ? was a question asked to Jahingir Khan.

“To me, it’s the three P’s. P for Pathan, P for player and P for Professional,” was his reply. It amounts to dedication, positive mental attitude and hard work. Indeed, our illustrious neighbours have churned out champions by the dozen whilst we remain in the hangover given to us by the British.

Now the Indian Team has returned from the Asian Junior Squash Championships with a bronze medal. It is the best ever performance by out juniors in this tournament where the top Asian boys compete. This is something for all Indians to be proud of. It’s matter for the administrators of the game to develop on. Why can’t we win a gold medal in the next Championships?

For the record, our team had just five days of training together. They were cleared at he eleventh hour. They reached Bahrain at 2 a.m. on the day of their first match which was at 9 a.m. and yet the boys – Adrian Ezra, A. P. Singh, Akshay Joshi and P. Tiberwl proved their mettle in no uncertain manner.

India were seeded eighth in the team event. They came second in their group, losing only to Pakistan. In the semi-finals, the second-seeded Malaysians proved to be too string. There remained the match with Singapore to decide the bronze and here it was our boys who came through in style.

PERHAPS one ought to mention the preparatory work done by some of the other some of the other teams. Almost all the Middle East countries have employed the services of Pakistani coaches. Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait and Bahrain are prime examples.

The Kuwait team is coached by Fahim Gul, a former world ranked player. The team stayed in a five-star hotel for a month before the tournament.

Some of the Malaysian boys spent four weeks in London. They are under the watchful eye of Chris Foo, who, incidentally, is the chief referee for this year’s World Championships to be held in Kuala Lumpur.

The Pakistanis had the magic man Qamar Zaman to assist them. In terms of stroke playing ability, they could not have cottoned on to anyone better. Alas, only Abdul Rashid kept his record unblemished and played a major part in their success.

Hong Kong had the services of the popular coach Chris Clarke whist Zainal Abidin was in charge of the Singapore squash. For India, sadly, there was no one. And yet, the boys came back with glory.

This Asian Championships showed that the Pakistanis are beatable. The Malaysians came so close to proving that. Even in the individual event, Abdul Rashid (who is ranked at 10 in the Pakistani seniors) had to pull out all stops to beat Chris Chan (Malaysia). The gap between the latter and our champion Adrian Ezra is not very much. Given equal opportunities,  there is absolutely no reason why Adrain cannot become a major force in world squash.

In 1965 Anil Nayar won the Drysdale Cup, the symbol of supremacy in World Junior Squash. Nayar had the services of Yusuf Khan, but, today, Adrian has no such person to guide him. But he was proved with his own hard work that he can get to the top. Now it’s for the powers-that-be to help him in the cause. Surely, there can not be a better time than this to launch a programme to develop Indian squash at the grass roots level.

There is no language that every government understands and that is success. When you prove your  worth, as the Pakistanis have, there is enough backing and sponsors. True, politics and money also play a role but they do so every-where.

The next Asian Championships is two years away. Based on our performance in Bahrain, there should not be a problem (all things being equal) to get government clearance for the team. So, perhaps, we ought to think of how to develop our talent.

The team should be selected well in advance. I’m talking of say 9-12 months before the event. Call six boys to train regularly. We don’t have a Zaman or Zainal in our ranks but we can use the services of our top players. Meherwan Daurwla, Darius Pandole, Raj Manchanda and other have sufficient international experience to train the juniors. We have got to make the best of our own resources.

To ask for foreign coaches now is perhaps, being far fetched. But to train the boys in the best possible manner, even using the services of the Piramal Institue and of other sports medicine specialists, is well within our grasp.

Of course, there is a lost of work to be done in other spheres too like taking the game to the public and bringing up the professionals. In this land of ours, the country of 800 millions, nothing is impossible.

The answer lies in one word Attitude with a capital A. “If I fail,” said Alexender, “Who else shall succeed?” “If I succeed” says our sports official,” it’s because all of you have failed”. And away he went to watch “McKenna’s Gold”.

Press Report of Raju Chainani (1988)
 

Let us have public courts (P-25)

Indian Express 4/11/1988
By Raju Chainani

THE concept of public squash courts has gathered considerable momentum all over the world. The thought of this game being confined to the, rich man has gradually been done away with. Today over 10 million people in 100 countries play squash. Today squash has become a game for the masses. It has grown into an industry.

To the Indian public it has unfortunately remained a club game, confined to members of establishments. The powers that be have not had the foresight to think of the benefits accruing from taking the game to the masses.

The myth of squash being a rich man's game should be seriously examined. A squash court occupies a mere 672 square feet of playing area. It costs around rupees five lakh to construct and its maintenance is relatively simple. A reasonable Indian racket would cost you Rs.100 and a ball Rs. 25, (average life four weeks). Is this expensive?

Given that the government allots land tree of cost or at a nominal price, this game can really take off with the, common man. Our illustrious neighbors have shown it can be done.

To them squash ranks along with cricket and hockey. Our passions for the latter two sports remain high. For squash, it's a case of being seen and not heard.

MANY of the Pakistani stars, who have come up, are not members of elitist clubs. They come from the North West Frontier and are not masters of the English language. The point I am trying to drive home is that unless the game goes to the masses, the possibility of seeing it develop are remote.

Take this a step further. How many, amongst the common man in the street can afford a Rs.15,000 membership in the clubs? That too, after a long wait and with ever increasing charges. Instead, give them public squash courts with an annual membership of say Rs. 1000 and you will have them lining up from Nariman Point to Chowpatty.

There are several examples of how the game has developed overseas due to the public courts. In England, particularly in the last decade, courts have come up even in prime city locations.

The concept of providing the business executives with a sweat out during their lunch-break or early evening has gathered considerable momentum. A quick game and shower takes around  45 minutes, thus catering ideally for those with time constraints.

Not many people take up exclusive club membership which could burn a hole in the pocket. Instead they play at public courts. Many of London's squash courts are fully occupied from 9 a.m.- 8 p.m., catering for schools, housewives, office workers and executives.

THE concept of "a healthy body, healthy mind" has been taken very seriously in Singapore where each new housing complex is required to have a squash court. The Government has stepped in to promote the game.

The results have spoken for themselves. Today, Singapore have become no. 2 in Asia, behind the mighty Pakistanis. They have left the others, including India, runner-up in the First Asian Championship, lagging way behind.

A staggering five per cent of the Australians play squash. The land of the Kangaroos, with an estimated population of 16 million, have provided some of the world's top players Can Nancarrow, Ken Hiscoe and Geoff Hunt in the past decade, Chris Dittmar and Rodney Marting today.

To the Aussies, squash has become a national sport on par with their rules football and rugby. Again,  there has been help from the government to take the game to the common man.

Bombay can and should lead the way towards building India's first public courts. The history of Bombay's squash is a show case of silverware which speaks for himself. Anil Nayar won eight national men's titles, the U.S. Open, the North American Open and World Junior crowns, Fali Madon, Madhav Apte, Dinshaw Pandole, Nick Senapati, Ananth Nayak.... the list of trail blazers goes on and on.

TODAY, we have Meherwan Daruwalla, the national champion for the past five years. Alongside are Adrian Ezra, Darius Pandole and several others who have bold the Bombay flag high. The dominance in the national juniors is almost complete as our boys have swept just about every thing in sight.

Today, squash in India and in Bombay particularly has seen an influx of money. The public is becoming aware of this game, but much more effort is needed.

Next year, squash has been included in the  South-Asian Federation Games at Rawalpindi,  Also,  next year, Karachi play host to the world Championships for the first time. In the  1992  Barcelona Olympic Games, squash has been included as an invitational sport.

The world around us sees this game as suitable for the masses. It costs very little and doctors all over have recommended it. Isn't it time We did, something in Bombay?

As the Festival of Lights approaches let us ask our sports authorities for a special cracker. Allot us the land in South Bombay. The rest will take care of itself. Let Bombay lead the way. It always has been regarded as the Mecca of India squash. It is time we did something for our pilgrims.

'Electric' Adrian has it in him (P-22)

By Raju Chainani
Indian Express 2-9-1988

ADRIAN, Adrian", they chanted, almost in harmony. The glass back court at the CCI had never seen anything like it as the pony tails and buck teeth chorus made their presence felt. On stage was the boy wonder, just sweet sixteen. He had reached the finals of the juniors and men's events at the Western India Squash championships. It was a feat last achieved by the great Anil Nayar in 1965, some twenty-two years ago. Nayar did the historic double and it wasn't beyond Adrian Ezra to emulate the feat.

A sixty-five minute encounter with his close rival, Farokh Pandole, took its toll. Adrian won in five games but was a mere shadow of himself against Meherwan Daruvala in the men's final.

To talk of him in the same breath as Anil Nayar is a mere fallacy. Adrian has had the benefit of coaching in England under Abbas Kaoud, a former top ten world ranker, But it is in India that he doesn't have professional advice. Nayar was under the eagle eye of Yusuf. For someone at Adrian's age where immaturity and lack of finesse could make the difference between becoming a champion and remaining very promising, the requirement of a coach or professional manager is absolutely essential.

I put this question to Anil Nayar when he visited Bombay a few days ago. "We don't have a Yusuf in our ranks. So let's make do with the best available. I mean someone like Fali Madon or Ananth Nayak. Both have intimate knowledge of the game and what's more important, they know the opposition. They should be approached to act as professional managers". words of wisdom from India's greatest squash player.

Let's take this a step further. Champions train, analyse the competition and listen to their coaches. To beat Meherwsin Adrian needs to do just that. He's got the talent, the physique and the will to win. He new needs to be led to the water

LAST year, Adrian showed the progress he had made by beating Farokh Pandole in three finals. He then caused a sensation as he upset the explosive Nirjit Singh. Further victories over the Services' champion Ravinder Malik ensured him a place among the probables for the Asian championships. To don India's silks at sixteen is a tremendous achievement.

Perhaps Adrian's best squash lesson came in his encounters with Raj Manchanda, The fox, as he is known, tamed the lamb, with a delightful display of ball control, If ever there was a video recording of this, Adrian would learn a lot. He was made to run around whilst the veteran waited for the loose ball.

That was almost a year ago. Adrian has no business to lose to Manchanda this year. With Meherwan, the gap appears to be closing. The National champion is a superb athlete. He is fit  fast and gusty. He knows how to return pressure with pressure, the hallmark of a great champion. Five All India titles speak for themselves. Some time ago, it was Manchanda who had given Meherwan sleepless nights. On occasions the delightful tough and power play of Narjit have upset the applecart, Today, Meherwan's greatest rival appears to be Adrian. I don't think he's quite caught up yet.

As the curtain rises for another squash season, the boy wonder from Electric House has begun on a winning note. His West Zone Inter-Schools victory was a mere warm-up for him as he sliced through the opposition. There are bigger hurdles ahead.

With the boisterous support of his fan club and the backing of his spotting parents, the stage is set for an Ezra invasion. Add to this a professional manager like Ananth Nayak and you could have a winning combination.

 

Press Report of Raju Chainani (1987)

'Old Fox', wily as ever

28th Jan 1987 Sports week

THE talking point of the  Hong Kong Bank sponsored  Maharshtra  State   Squash   Championships was the defeat of the National Champion Meherwan Daruvala in the semi-finals. Up against the talented Nariit Singh (the Services champion), Daruvala's game went to pieces after two closely fought games. In fact, after he had won the opener comfortably, defeat looked beyond comprehension. It transpired later that Meherwan had been down with flu and was far from match fit. Yet this was a major upset perhaps the biggest of the season.

In the finals, Narjit faced the old fox', Raj Manchanda. The lob drop perfection of the 42-year old Lieutenant Colonel proved too much for the temperamental Ananth Nayak. As has happened so often in the past, Ananth found a major stumbling block in Raj. He hit the tin forty-two times in the four games. Whining the first and then recovering splendidly in the second to lead 6-5, Ananth hit upon his losing streak. In the third and fourth games. Raj kept the ball at a good length and calmly collected the points as his opponent made error after error. No excuses for Ananth. He was taken apart by the sheer alacrity and court craft of Manchanda.

So we came to the all Services final. Bombay's hopes had been badly bruised and shattered. The last time we had two .Army men in the final was over 15 years ago when Maj. K.S. Jain played Capt V.K. Sharma in the Western India final.

Manchanda won the final with a minimum of fuss. It was three straight games, the issue never in doubt. Narjit was outplayed as Manchanda gave, yet another fine display of courtcraft and ball control. Having beaten Narjft of fortnight earlier at the Central India, Manchanda confirmed his status as the best of the Services contingent

Bhuvaneshwari Kumari was far too good for her opponents. Perhaps the only redeeming feature of the ladies event was the splendid victory of Lata Talwar over the second seeded Honey Sherman in the semis. A determined player, Lata has room for considerable improvement The emergence of the Bombay girls, Sonan Sinha and Chitra Kapur, also augurs well for the game. Along with the promising Vanita Bhandari, they still need to put in a lot more hard work to come near Bhuvaneshwari. Still in the top four is the touch-play artist Deepika Chandratreya, a former India number one, albeit 15 years ago.

Rishipal Sethi won the sub-juniors title comfortably. His victim, Rishad Pandole has improved considerably in the last year and will no doubt find himself in the winners, enclosure soon. Rishad's cousin, Jehangir is another younster brimming with potential.

During the last six months, Farokh Pandole has made significant improvement He has beaten his arch rival, Arjun Singh comfortably in their last three meetings. Arjun had a tough encounter with Adrian Ezra in the semis. Just back after a bout of jaundice, Adrian won the first game and very nearly the second. Match practice began to tell thereafter, as a fitter Arjun scrapped through, it might be a different story at the CCI during the Nationals.

The juniors final was a big disappointment Arjun looked jaded and nonplussed. He was a mere shadow of what we had seen at Delhi. Farokh was allowed to look very good indeed. One point needs to be driven home. Pandole is explosive, strokewise and temperwise. He needs to curb his instincts else the referees fund will get generous contributions.

Hong Kong bank have made this tournament a standing order. With its elevation to art all-India ranking; event the Maharshtra eventgains a much earned recognition. The increased prize money (up 30 per cent this year), splendid hospitality and the hard work of Tournament secretary Harish Melwani and Arun Sethi have ensured the success of these championships.

The standard of behavior was a Vast improvement to what one saw. in Delhi a few weeks earlier. With the imposition of monetary penalties, players were held in check. The overall standard of refereeing was good and a difficult job .was made to took relatively easy.

Dawn of a new era

28th Jan 1987 Sports week

THERE was a time, not so long ago, when squash  was associated  with  oranges and lemons. The thought of  it as game was a restricted one. Bombay has led the way to a squash revolution. The glass-court the Masters Tournament, increased prize money and the debut of television cameras have made headlines. Alongside have come coaching camps, the Inter-School inaugural tournament an accent on the development of the game at the grassroots and the debut of Bhuvaneshwari Kumari in the Open event.

CCI took the bull by the horns by constructing the country's first glass-back court. It went through its trials and tribulations, through a stormy strike which brought work to a near stand still and through an inefficient architect. The end product, considering all that happened between 1981 (when the plan was first approved) and October 1986, when Raj Kumar Narpat Singh cut the ribbon, was something to be proud of. The flooring and the glass erection are up to international standards. Naval Pandole's efforts bore fruit after all.

The new court made waves even before it was fully complete. Bombay hosted the Masters Invitation, restricted to the country's top eight players. A staggering Rs. 70,000 was at stake with Rs. 17,500 as the winners purse. Co-sponsored by Mahindra and Mahindra and Sah and Sanghi, the tournament was a tremendous success. For the first time in Indian squash history, the spectators had an armchair view. One could see the expressions of the players, their moments of triumph and tragedy, their games manship and above all have a very close look at their styles of play.

The press came in full force. The front tin had an opening to capture a different view of the players. Packed galleries, at times exceeding two hundred watched the matches. Television cameras picked up the highlights of key matches which were later screened in the local sports round up programme.

Talking of prize money, Bombay alone offers nearly Rs. 150,000 in the three tournaments the Masters, Maharshtra State and Western India. It increases next year as do the tournaments. Calcutta, Delhi, Madras and Indore have also pushed up their stakes, making the squash circuit lucrative, competitive and good fun.

For the first time, the SRFI have come up with a ranking system. Players are now required to compete in five tournaments, This year, entering the Central India became, almost a necessity to pick up ranking points. It gives the organisers a boost as they get the top entries from the country. It also gears them towards hosting a National which has so far been confined to the major cities.

Coaching camps for the juniors have come into the limelight. Raj Manchanda took hold of some boys in Sonawar. Ananth Nayak, Darius Pandole, Cyrus Mehta and Bhuvaneshwari Kumari ran a series of schools for beginners, sub-juniors and ladies. Noticeable from this had been the progress made by youngsters like Rishad Pandole, Daniel Ezra, Rishipal Sethi, Chitra Kapur and others.

The standard of behavior has not improved a lot. The antics of the top players in particular, have left a lot to be desired. One cannot help think of the disgraceful, example they set to juniors. Fortunately, the Code of Conduct, brought into effect from October 86, has made an impact. Severe monetary penalties were imposed in Bombay. In Delhi, one was shocked to hear comments about whether the Code was in force, It would take another six months perhaps, before the effect of these guidelines sink in.

Calcutta has been, the hot seat of Indian squash for the best part of the last decade. Taking over from Anil Nayar, the SRFI was reorganized. In came N.N. Atal as president and Raj Kumar Narpat Singh as his deputy. Both love the game and bit by bit they began a reconstruction. They came through many a battle, kept their heads in political beckerings and did a thankless job gracefully. The time for a change has now arrived and on January 25th, it appears that Maharshtra will take over. Bombay has been the Mecca of Indian Squash and it is fitting that the SRFI comes back here, albeit to a very much more organised SRAM.

And so the show goes on. New ideas, better run tournaments, increased sponsorship and an emerging lot of youngsters augur well for Indian squash. At the top, a new committee takes over. The need for more courts, specially public ones, is at a saturation point The so called "rich mans game" must go to the masses. With umpteen plans in the pipeline, we look forward to a highly progressive 1987. Good judgement is needed to steer a safe course between Scylla of faint heartedness and the Charybdis of the phantom, but there are navigational aids.

Indian squash has gone forwards and backwards in the last decade. Certain people have exploited the situation purposefully, selfishly and for monetary gain. Unfortunately there remained pin-drop silence as situations were allowed to get out of hand. The bubble had to burst sooner or later. When it did the power-that-be were unable to deal with the situation. The buck was passed around. Hopefully, the new faces will not allow such selfish maneuvering to continue.

The need for a proper coach is rather desperate. The club markers have learnt the game the hard way, often rising from ballboys to coaches with limited ability. The younger brigade have the opportunities to come to coaching camps run by the top players. These schools are still a novel concept A lot more needs to be done at this level to ensure that the talents of the teenagers is developed properly. A start has been made in this direction and 1987 is sure to see a great many more coaching camps.

Twenty years ago, Yusuf Khan used to catch Anil Nayar and Fali Madon by the ears and make them sweat it out It paid off as both went to the top with Nayar winning (amongst his many trophies) the junior World title.

We've got the talent today. The interest in the game has increased tremendously. With more money coming in, there is every reason to believe that there will be some significant development all around. I think Indian squash is about to enter a new era.

Juniors Come of Age (P-24)

By Raju Chainani                                                                            Mid-day 14-12-1987
 

The packed gallery roared with appreciation. The heir apparent responded. Each point won was greeted with a thunderous ovation. The glass-back squash court revealed the pressures, pain and pleasure. The sponsors enjoyed it too. Squash was in limelight.

“C’mon Adrian, C’mon.” The pigtails, teeny-boppers and vociferous members of his fan club were there in abundance. The scene was the Western India Open final where the sixteen-year-old was attempting to win the juniors and news titles on the same evening. He pocketed the juniors after some anxious moments with his archrival Farokh Pandole.

Those 65 minutes on court were energy sapping. The relentless power of Pandole made many a dent in the Ezra shield. Yet is was the super fit younger man who proved to be stronger.

After this splendid encounter, Adrain just about went through the motions with Meherwan Daruvala. He had done marvelously to get so far. Narjit was defeated in five games in a match full of artistic strokeplay. That was not enough as Adrain comprehensively beat Ravinder Malik in the semis, never allowing the Services champion any liberties.

There was much to admire about the performance of the Bombay brigde. Darius Surti, written off by many, reached the last eight beating Arun Ganguly, Surti is a dangerous floater in any major tournament. He’s had a good season and his qualifying for the Masters drove home a point to his detractors.

There is a school of thought which suggests that both Chetan Panchal and Dev Malani are better than Surti. Neither played in Delhi and at Bombay they don’t do enough to write home about.

Manali is the only unofficial coach on the circuit. He can play good squash but consistency has never been his middle name. He lost in five games to Malik and Kapur. Both matches could have gone the other way. Maybe the nationals will tell another story. Manali is a beautiful mover on court but hasn’t made the big time yet.

The juniors has become a two-horse race. The colleagues from Sydenham have drawn clear of the rest. Indeed, it is a long time since Bombay has had such talent at the top. Farokh and Adrain have leapfrogged into the top six in the mews league an achievement to be proud of.

Bhuvaneshwari Kumari remains unsquashable amongst the ladies. The much improved Chitra Kapur the evergreen Deepika Chandratreya and the petite Rehaab Barodawala just couldn’t make an impression on the princess. Her exploits into the open event made the headlines. Here too she did enough to trouble the better knows.

The masters Invitation was always going to be a very tough tournament. As India’s top eight took the stage, there were already some weary legs after the exploits of the past two weeks. There was enough drama in store.

The powerful Narjit had a week which he would like to forget. He lost a very close match to Farokh Pandole, was outclassed by Manchanda, nearly got done by a rejuvenated Surti and let Malik slip past for an impossible victory. In between he had a cliff-hanger with Adrian Ezra, coming through from an almost hopeless situation.

There was however a match which many who witnessed will not forget. His clash with Daruvala produced squash of a very high quality. Narjit raised his game to a level worthy of a champion. He was glorious in defeat and deservedly the two players got a standing ovation as they left the court.

The old fix, Raj Manchanda, came to the scene as a wounded soldier. He lost tamely to Vikas in the Western India but the Masters had a lot more at stake. Malik managed only three points and Ezra eight. It was a lesion in squash. The precision and control of the maestro against the impulsiveness of the clubs.

Daruvala was too good for him and Farokh Pandole prevailed in a marvelous match which went the full distance. Surti and Narjit were no match for the lieutenant colnel who went on to clinch the second spot behind Meherwan.

The Bombay juniors did remarkably well. Farokh proved to be the better this time despite losing to Daruvala and Ezra. He was like a man possessed as he beat Narjit, Manchanda, Vikas and Malik on successive days, all matches going to five games. Farokh played a mature game mixing his aggressive strke play with some delightful drop shots.

Adrian Ezra too came through with flying colours. He finished fourth, just behind Pandole. It might have been different if he had not allowed Narjit to slip through his fingers. This was his first Masters, his first big test and he passed with honours.

Darius Surti took seventh sport ahead of the veteran Vikas Kapur. The latter had to withdraw on the penultimate day due to the sudden demise of his son.

There was no stopping the star of India, Meherwan Daruvala. He went through the week unbeaten despite a stern test from Narjit and some anxious moments. Yet he proved his fitness, ability and endurance. To return pressure with pressure is the hallmark of a champion.

Mehrewan did this exceptionally well. He played the big points with a sense of maturity. It will take something extra special to knock him off his pedestal.

For the home crowd, albeit a disappointing one compared to last year, the quality of squash was something to know about. The Masters, co-sponsored by Mahindras and Sah and Sanghi, had yet again proved to be a tournament for the very best only. It calls for an extra special player to win the eight-man round-robin. Rs.70,000 was at stake. Mahindras, Sah and Sanghi Meherwan Daruvala were crowned Masters of game.

Press Report of Raju Chainani (1986)
   

The unsquashable lady (P-21/24)

Mid-day 21-9-86                                                                  By Raju Chainani
 

BHUVANESHWARI Kumari. former Princess of Alwar. affectionately known to the sporting world as Candy. Undoubtedly. India's first lady of the squash court. Her first national title was won in 1977, her 10th this February. In between, her mantelpiece has been adorned by a constant supply of silverware from all over the country. Seldom has any sport seen such dominance. Her pleasing, outgoing personality makes her a popular ambassador of this game. Currently in Bombay for a coaching assignment with the

SRAM, the 26-year-old champion reflects on days gone by and, perhaps more importantly, on another 10 national titles. "I started playing squash in 1976, a fortnight before the Delhi nationals. Till then I was an ardent tennis player and participated regularly on the circuit.

"I went out on to the new surroundings determined to do my best." It was almost a fairy tale beginning. Sixteen-year-old Candy against the mighty Nandini Kumari in the national ladies final. The rookie lost... but the pundits knew a champion had arrived.

It was in the 1977 final that she avenged her defeat. Bombay was the stage for this historic win. Nandini was no ordinary player and the following year saw a dramatic five game affair between the two ladies.

There has probably never been a better ladies final in the past decade. Candy's victory confirmed her as the number one lady in the subcontinent, a position she has kept well within her grasp ever since.

Elegance

Today her elegance and natural stroke playing ability are taken for granted. Without framing a conscious thought on the subject. she has come to know, in the marrow of her bones, that her past, present and future are wrapped in one earthly object; a racquet. Its exploration, care, finesse and gratification have become principal concerns. "I love Bombay. Since 1979. I've been coming here regularly to play the Maharashtra and western India tournaments. To me, this is the Mecca of India squash. It has a charisma, a kind of romantic attraction," says the champion.

Candy has never lost a match in Bombay. Her only defeat in the last 10 years was at the hands of her archrival Honey Sherman at the 1978 Delhi State final. Whoever said hell hath no fury like a woman scorned. Between 1979 and 1983 Honey lost all five national finals to (who else?) and did not win a game on any occasion.

On the international front. Candy has figured prominently in the Malaysia and Singapore Open tournaments. She lost in both the finals she reached in Kuala Lumpur in 1979 and 1981.

Determined

"Ladies' squash is not given any encouragement. After years of breaking our heads against a brick wall, we finally got permission to participate in the 1986 Asian ladies championships, I lost in the quarter-finals." There is considerable disappointment with that effort. "Next year it will be different," says a determined Candy.

She is, at present, coaching a group of 20 ladies and juniors under-14 at the Bombay Gymkhana courts. Strangely, Bombay's domination of the men's and juniors' was not extended to the ladies. In fact, the last ladies' champion from the metropolis was over 15 years ago. "We've got to catch them when they are nine or 10. It's a slow, concentrated process, particularly nowadays. There are really no good promising girls around at the moment, which is a crying shame," remarks Candy.

"A camp like this is bound to throw up some talent, I am particularly impressed by two sub-junior boys. Rishad Pandole and Danielle Ezra. They can be your champions of tomorrow, if they keep up their present rate of progress." So Meherwan, Ananth and others, take a look over your shoulder.

Her 1978 final against Nandini was probably her toughest match. Seven years later, the veteran Pearla Monopole, caused a Mutter of heartbeats by losing a close four-game affair in Calcutta. "She is a superb player. Even though she's over 45, her strokes are still very good," says Candy of her worthy opponent.

Dramatic

False pretenders? There have been many. Often they've come out of the match barely in a sweat. Others have collapsed in a slack, dramatic scatter of limbs on the benches in front of the courts. "I cannot understand some of them. They give fancy press interviews and say they'll be the first to beat me. Vet on court, the scoreline has been love, love and love or 9-1, 9-0, 9-0. I think they should dial 100," remarks the national champion.

Candy's grandfather was the Maharaja of Alwar. Her father, Yashwant Singh, is manager of the Seoul-bound Indian tennis team for the Asiad. He was formerly president of the Cycle Polo Federation of India and is a highly respected administrator. Her brother, Yogendra Singh, is ranked among the top eight Indian squash players today. So there does exist enough sporting blood in the princess.

Two further points were clarified by her, "I'm not getting married yet," she says, and "I've definitely not got an offer from a film producer." So the path is clear for a long run at the top. In the meantime, there is talk about Robert Ludlum's new book. The Bhuvaneshwari Supremacy.
 

Press Report of Raju Chainani (1985)
 

The all-glass revolution

Sportsweek 20-2-1985                                                             By Raju Chainani

NOT so many moons ago, squash had very limited spectator appeal. The handful of dedicated followers knew the dramatis personae intimately. A reasonable crowd