Press Articles of Raju Chainani (1993)

• 05-12-1993 : Mixed Magic
• 05-12-1993 : The Glass Court (Times of India)
• 10-11-1993 : Shift in world squash power base (Times of India)
• 26-09-1993 : What Ails Indian Squash? (Times of India)
• 31-08-1993 : Arjan goes down tamely (Mid-day)
• 13-07-1993 : Yusuf full of ideas for Indian Squash (Times of India)
• 11-07-1993 : Squash Juniors need help (Times of India)
• 11-06-1993 : Seattle Scene (Mid-day)
• 06-04-1993 : Helping hand (Mid-day)
• 06-04-1993 : The lucky ones (Mid-day) 
• 02-04-1993 : Junior squash players to be coached in U.S. (Times of India)
• 12-03-1993 : Times for radical rethink (Times of India)
• 06-02-1993 : Team of the Tournament (Mid-day)
• 05-02-1993 : INDIANS LOSE TIE, WIN FRIENDS (Mid-day)
• 23-01-1993 : Did the President misuse SRAM funds, authority?
• 02-01-1993 : Take squash to the public (Mid-day)

Helping hand

Mid-day 6^th April 1993

IT WAS almost 30 years ago that the combination of a Pathan and a Punjabi set the Indian squash world alight.

Yusuf Khan originally came from Noshera on the North-West Frontier. He worked as a tennis ballboy, learnt to play squash from his cousin and got his first big break at the Temple Hill Club in Deolali. He coached Capt K K Hazari and saw him win the National title in 1956. That was the beginning.

Yusuf then moved to Bombay and it was here that he came across what he has often described as a "rotund, pain-in-the-neck" youngster. It was the persistence of the junior that made Yusuf give in and soon there were regular training classes. There began the story of Anil Nayar. In 1965, he won the Western India junior and men's titles with his left-hand strapped.

Shortly thereafter, Nayar went to London and won the Drysdale Cup, the Junior World Championships. His cat like agility and razzle-dazzle has been something that has remained in a league of its own. There, in the gallery, was Yusuf Khan, watching the new kid on the block.

Yusuf was coach, mentor, friend and guide. The bond still remains. Today, both are well settled in America and have now come forth with a programme to help Indian juniors.

Their credentials speak for themselves. Anil Nayar, the eight-time National champion, winner of three US Inter-Collegiate titles and two US amateur events. Yusuf Khan, a coach with a knack of churning out champions and for the last three years, a dose confidant of Jahangir.

Yusuf took the traditional game to America in the early 70 and is now a highly respected figure worldwide. The love for India remains and this has prompted the guru and the disciple to do something for the emerging Indian juniors.

It's come in the form of the NRISA. It's come at a time when Indian squash badly needs a shot in the arm. "When you train with Yusuf, you learn what discipline is all about. He is very direct and will teach you a lot. Some of us, like Fali Madon and myself, had the privilege of learning from him and believe me, it's been a lesson of a lifetime," says Nayar.

A case of two thoroughbreds they have made their mark in India and abroad. Now, they want to share it and let their experience and expertise rub off on the shoulders of India's top juniors. Who knows, we may see our own Jahangir or Jansher emerge in the near future.

Take squash to the public (P-46)

Times of India 2/1/1993

GIVE me some of your hair and I shall teach you some squash", was Gogi Allaudin's suggestion to our junior national champion, Paul Ferreira. In days gone by, Allaudin was one of Pakistan's all-time greats, ho was runner-up in the British Open twice, to Jonah Barrington in 1972 and to QamarZaman in 1974. Those were the days of the wooden rackets, the relatively untried squash shoes and a winner's cheque of around Ł 1,000 in major events.

Times have changed. The current breed of players use expensive graphite rackets which retail around Ł 100 and have a range of shoes to choose from. In addition, there arc lucrative endorsements and exhibitions. Gogi Allaudin has seen the transformation in the last two decades. His message to Paul Ferreira was well meaning and aimed at making him understand that materialistic values should take second place.

Indeed, if one reflects on the champions of squash since the days of Hashim Khan, one thing sticks out like a sore thumb. The Pathans originated from little villages on the North-West Frontier. Their lifestyle was simple and the going was very tough for them. To have learnt the game on some courts without a roof and with broken rakels and on bare feet is remarkable enough. To have then gone on and taught it to the world is quite another thing.

The great champions came from villages, from humble surroundings, It has only been in the last decade, with the advent of western thinking, that others have offered a serious challenge to the Pathans. The Australian Institute of Squash is a prime example of changing times and, in England, there's a certain gentleman called Jonah Harrington who is their director of excellence. Despite these recent developments, the fact remains that it was Nawakille, A little village close to Peshawar, that came up with a Khan tribe who went out to dominate world squash.

Of course, the backing that the players received had a lot to do with their success. Hashim had the Pakistan Air Force behind him whilst Roshan (Jahangir's father) was sent to England by their Navy. In later years, PIA was 16 come on the scene and now it plays a major role in Pakistan squash.

Is there something for us to learn from this? Many of the Khans were ballboys at their clubs but, in time to come, they changed hings round and were accepted on par. This transformation from being accepted as a marker or a second-class citizen to a situation where one is respected as a coach and even called "Sir" has yet to come about in Indian squash. It's almost as if our professionals were children of a lesser God.

Considering    that   we    have millions of villages in the country perhaps there is still the chance of finding a potential champion from amongst them. As long as they are assured of a roof over their head and a regular income to sustain their families, there is ho earthly reason why we cannot attempt, to do what our illustrious neighbors have. Today, squash in India is regarded as an elitist sport and confined to a handful of private clubs. All over the world, it is an different story where the man off the street can even squeeze in a game at lunchtime.

A squash court occupies just 672 square feet. Since the game can be played throughout the year, it could find an appeal amongst the masses. Even If one look the cost of construction at around Rs 5 lakhs, it's peanuts compared to the good, that could be done. For Indian squash to really come up in those long term, the game has to be taken to the public, it is from the boys who have to run five miles to fetch a pall of water that we may see a potential champion emerge. It's a situation where materialistic values would come a distant see and and Gogi Allaudin's suggestion  would have even more moaning.

Team of the Tournament

Mid-day   6/2/1993

SINGAPORE, February 6 CLOSE BUT not dose enough. That is the story of India's performance at the sixth Asian Junior Squash Championships which concluded on Thursday at the Marina Centre. To have won the silver medal is very creditable. To have beaten Pakistan in the league match is something to savour. It has never been done at the Asian event. Yes, the boys have carried the country's colours with honour and dignity.

When one reflects on what happened before they got here, this performance becomes even more laudable. The powers-that-be were a stumbling block and the juniors came here under prepared. The mystery of sending a second official remains unsolved. It was said that he was being sent as a referee and here, he has officiated in only a handful of matches. Did be come to canvass for India getting a vice President's seat on the Asian Squash Federation? If that is so, it should be put on record that the only support we received was from Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Singapore and Malaysia. The other candidates got between nine and 12 votes. So perhaps the SRFI can explain why a second official was sent instead of another player?

The tournament referee, Muneer Shah, made it clear that there was no clinic for overseas referees. This was told to the countries in advance. Hence, SRFI's decision needs to be seriously questioned. Despite all this, the boys have cornered the glory and it is they who deserve all the credit.

There is the feeling that India have been the team of this tournament. Coach Ananth Nayak has worked well with the boys and has left the strange happenings in the SRFI in the locker room. On court, he has helped the boys considerably and has been like a friend and guide to them. India go back with more than the silver medal. They beat Pakistan and that is something that will remain in the record books forever. It's happened after 24 years and who knows, if things go well for the boys and there are no more official tamashas, there may be a gold medal for the taking in two years time.

Did the President misuse SRAM funds, authority?

The Observer Sunday 23/1/1993

THERE has been a startling revelation regarding the arrangements made for the Maharashtra 'A' team that participated in the Inter-State Championships recently. Reliable sources indicate that Adrian Ezra, Paul Ferreira, Rishad Billimoria,  Niraj Shirgaokar, Vineet Asthana and Manish Chothrani made up the original squad selected to represent the state.

For some reason, Chothrani dropped out. His air-ticket had been booked. Instead, Dev Malani was asked to make the trip. He hadn't played in any of the tournaments and apparently his win over Billimoria in a practice match turned the Issue in his favour.

It should be said that Billimoria had beaten Paul Ferreria in the Western India final and it therefore sounded logical for Malani to have a play-off with the junior national champion also.

But Harry Singh, the SRAM president had other ideas. Malani was sent to Madras as the number three player. He was unfit as was subsequently found out in the final against the Services. But that might seem insignificant in the light of what has transpired regarding his travel to Madras.

Malani to make the trip. Reliable sources indicate that Malani and his parents were repeatedly rung up and in the end consented to the request. Chothrani didn’t go but his ticket had been booked.

Malani travelled to Madras on December 19th on Chothrani's ticket. This has several implications

What if Malani had been caught? He could have been charged with impersonation and fraud by the authorities. Travelling under another person's name is also a violation of the airlines safety code. And one has to ask that God forbid, had anything unforseen happened, who would have got the insurance???

What has come to light is that Malani was coerced into making the trip. Knowledgeable people indicate that he would never have   gone   unless   it  was   a 'freebie'. His past record dearly Indicates that he is unreliable, as was  found  out  at  the  Delhi nationals   in   December   1981. Malani conceded his match a this tournament claiming he hat pulled a hamstring.

A couple of days later, he was found dancing away at a discotheque. There have been for too many tantrums as for as he is concerned and Harry Singh's act of including him in the team appears to be one of sheer desperation.

One has to ask, was Harry Singh acting arbitrarily or with the consent of the other SRAM members? Is he allowed to take unilateral decisions under the constitution? If this is not permitted,  why is the committee not doing anything about it?

The squash world is agog with rumours and the aficionados are asking these questions and more with a view to quell  the misgivings and apprehensions that have arisen. Would the president and the committee explain why Malani was allowed to travel on another person's travel documents?

Here we have a suave, man-about-town, Rotarian, industrialist (as the Swissair advertisement describes him) as the head of the SRAM. Equally, we have the fraternity, particularly in Bombay, who are disappointed with Maharashtra finishing runners-up to the Services for the 11th time in 13 Inter-State finals. Harry Singh's actions appear to be reprehensible.

Did Malani have the credentials to be part of the team? Was another player thereby denied an opportunity? Why wasn't Chothrani's ticket cancelled immediately when it was known that he was not going? Does this constitute a misuse of funds and authority by the SRAM President.

What Ails Indian Squash?

Times of India 26/9/1993

THERE are three Indian players  in  the   latest world rankings announced by the Professional Squash Association (PSA): Conor D'Cruz is at 101, Arjan Singh occupies number 182 and Dev Malani has slipped to 199. Amongst  the women, national champion Misha Grewal is ranked at 40.

The increasing international flavour of the leading men's players in professional squash is demonstrated in the rankings, with players from 10 countries in the top 20. If we go further down, there are 17 nationalities from five continents in the top 60.

From an Indian point of view, it is only Misha Grewal who has been getting a direct entry into some of the major events. She was at the Anchor Beer Singapore Open and lost to Danielle Martin (Australia) in the first round. Grewal was very nervous, but then her opponent is a former top 10 ranker and is on a come back trail. Grewal is due to play at the Australian Open and then flies to Philadelphia for the US Open.

She has had to fend for herself. There has been no help from the parent body or even the state association. It was the generous support of Hong Kong Bank that got her to Singapore. Here we have a young girl ranked amongst the top 40 in the world, a reasonable achievement for any country. Being a member of the Women's Professional Squash Association, her entries to major events get routed through them. She's got a racket sponsorship with Prince, another personal achievement.

Arjan Singh and Dev Malani are also PSA members. Singh has played in three ranking events this season and has moved up from 188 to 182 in the September 1 list. Malani has played four events but his score is lower than Singh's and he has slipped 24 places in the rankings.

Conor D'Cruz has never been to India. He has an Irish mother, an Indian father and is a professional at a club near Geneva. He has chosen to have India put against his name.

D'Cruz made history at the Brazilian Classic in Rio in May when he became the first Indian to qualify for the main draw of a major PSA event. He has played 13 ranking events this season and will no doubt be seen again in the forthcoming tournaments.

D'Cruz intends to try and qualify for the world open at Karachi in November. Being a member of the PSA, his entry would be routed directly. Whether he does make the cut is another matter.

At Singapore, Arjan Singh lost in four games to Gamal El Amir (Egypt), who is ranked at 64. It was a match Singh could have won. He loves to hammer the ball. With a bit of variety, he can do well. He has had the benefit of training abroad and we shall see the results in the coming domestic season.

Playing the international circuit is an expensive exercise. Our top players need the exposure to become match fit and have the toughness to take on the best of the Asians at least. It may not be at the Jansher, Zarak Jahan Khan and Mir Aman Gul level initially but there are several others who certainly can be beaten. We will never get anywhere by hitting the ball only at the club courts in the evenings.

In Hong Kong and Malaysia, there exists a tournament circuit and there are regular league matches. This helps the players when they are not involved in Asian or other international events. India, on the other hand, does not have a proper domestic circuit and, often, dates get changed at the drop of a hat. Misha Grewal and Arjan Singh have been able to play in a limited number of events abroad. Given the opportunity, they could participate in a lot more.

A similar situation exists for the juniors, with precious little being done by the parent body. After the splendid showing at the Asian juniors, a development programme planned over the next five years should have been immediately implemented. So far there has been a dignified silence. The solo acts of a few players continue. They wait with bated breath for something positive to happen from the parent body. Meanwhile the rest of the world progresses. As the good book says, 'Tomorrow never comes."

Mid-day 11/6/1993
By Raju Chainani

BREAKFAST TIME at Hillcrest Avenue, Seattle. Yusuf Khan, attired in a spotless Fred Perry sports jacket, is ready for the day ahead. Shondip Ghosh and Rohan Bbappu, India's two top players in the under-14 age group, have got their kit bags together. "Time to go boys," suggests the 61-year-old gum.

It's a twenty minute drive to the Downtown Seattle club where I Yusuf is the head pro. He started off coaching tennis at the Washington club and had a brief interlude at the College club too. Seven years ago, came the move to his present station.

On the walk are photographs of him with Jahangir, Hashim Hiddy Jahan and some of the game's other greats. They have all come here. Now it's the charge of the Indian brigade.

Shondip and Rohan have a warm-up session. Then it's tune to take the court with Yusuf. Even in his hey­day, there was an economy of movement. Yusuf did it all from the T, the centre of the court.

"Racket back, good, move forward, good, down the line, good, sidewall, good...". You could watch for hours and admire. Khan's touch and baa control are simply unbelievable. His eldest son, Ayub, is a full time pro and is also attached to this club. Three of his other children  (there are eight in all), have donned  the famous red and blue colours. Azam has played in two world team  events and his sisters, Shabana and   Latosha, have won National championships. They an took on the Indian juniors and for our boys, it was something out of the ordinary.

The Khan way to the top is a tough one, Shondip and Rohan had a three hour session in the morning which kept them on their toes. Then it was foe for lunch and the Khan wagon took them back for a brief intertude.' At around four o'clock, it was action time again. This routine was followed throughout as Yusuf tried to show them what the word discipline really means. As the evening came to a dose, it was time to go back for another home cooked meal. The boys were staying with Yusuf and they got on famously with the family. So much so that when they left Seattle, there was even a silent tear. "They have been marvelous. I hope they come back," said Yusuf.

The boys had an invaluable experience. They have grown to be stronger physically and have seen what it takes to train seriously. In a few days time, Paul Ferreira and Rishad Billimoria will take their places and over the next four weeks, they will be under Yusuf's care.

Six hours of squash a day can make Jack a dull boy. For both, Shondip and Rohan, it was quite the contrary. They both want to go back for more.

Yusuf has shown them how to go about things. The on and off court drills, weight training and exercise, have now been instilled into their system. Many a champion came from Yusuf Khan's yard. Hopefully, Shondip Ghosh, Rohan Bhappu, Paul Ferreira and Rishad Billimoria will add their names to this illustrious list.

Time for radical rethink

By RAJU CHAINANI
Times of India 12/3/1993
BOMBAY. March 11.

DURING the last eight months India's junior squash team has enjoyed the privilege of rubbing shoulders with some of the great names in the game. At Hong Kong, Jonah Barrington and Ken Hiscoe cornered the limelight. Barrington was six times winner of the British Open, whilst Hiscoe was a former world number two and a contemporary of Geoff Hunt. Also present at Hong Kong was Umar Daraz Khan, who nowadays coaches Jahangir. 

Today, Barrington, Hiscoe and Umar Daraz play key roles in the junior development programmes in their respective countries. The Indians had a chance to talk to them and watch these thorough bred, fulltime professionals in action. Top Asian coaches like Faheem Oul, Chris Clark and Major S. Maniam were accompanying their teams at the world juniors. In short, our boys had more than an eye opener.

Almost six months later, at the Asian juniors, the Pakistanis brought along one of their all time greats in Gogi Allaudin. It has to be said of our boys that they were extremely popular and mixed freely. Often, the casual chat at break­fast can be rewarding. The Indian coach, Ananth Nayak, knows most of his contemporaries well and for him too, this was a learning process,

All this has happened during the last eight months. Now the time has come for a long term development programme for the juniors along the lines that many others follow. The immediate need is for some full time official. The game cannot develop otherwise.

Hiscoe has a contract which began in 1989 and Jonah Barrington has been with the English team for around five years. The continuity factor has made a difference.

Barrington saw the juniors win the world title in 1990. Hiscoe is on a hot roll at present. The Aussie men's team took home the bacon in 1989, and repeated the feat in 1991. The juniors won at Hong Kong and again Hiscoe was the guiding light.

It is something that we should learn from. It's no good appointing a coach and then sacking him half way. There are important lessons to be learnt from the last two international events we have participated in. Our boys have the potential and the capability. Their recent performance at the Asian juniors is proof enough. Now is the time to implement a long-term policy. More important is that it should be put through by professionals Just like it is being done in Australia and England.

The Squash Rackets Federation of India has a key role to play. So does the NRI squash association. Perhaps, the whole programme could be put together by a sports, management group, bearing in mind that many an official has suggested that he or she has time constraints. The SRFI President, Mr K.C. Mehra, has gone on record suggesting that during his tenure he would like to see India produce a champion. It can and should happen. All it calls for a radical rethink. Otherwise we may have to remain content with champion officials.

Yusuf full of ideas for Indian squash

By A Staff Reporter
Times of India 13-7-1993
BOMBAY, July 13.

IT was an eye-opener", says Ananth Nayak, coach of the national junior squash squad about his 10-day trip to Seattle in the U.S. where he worked with the master coach, Yusuf Khan. 

"I have basically been a player with little coaching background. Watching Yusuf teach his wards and mingle with the boys was an experience," Nayak adds. 

"Yusuf has tremendous rapport with his wards. He is always buoyant and his whole approach to coaching is different."

Giving an example, Nayak said: "Paul Ferreira had the habit of crossing his hands while executing the backhand. I had pointed this out to him several times. Yusuf has enabled Paul to get rid of this habit."

Yusuf was the coach at the Cricket Club of India when Nayak had started playing the game as a boy. "He remembered me as a scrawny kid. In fact, he is full of affection for Indian players and is bursting with ideas to uplift Indian squash."

"Yusuf would like the Indian juniors, who have qualified for the world championships, to be in Seattle two months before the event so that he could get the players match fit."

Yusuf, who has produced top players like Jahangir Khan, has already taken up the players for short stints. Shondip Ghosh and Rohan Bappu spent a month with him and Paul Ferreira and Rishad Billimoria are now staying with him and are being put through the grind.

"Yusuf's entire family is involved with squash. Why, his wife strings the rackets uncomplainingly," says Nayak.

During his stay Nayak secured the levels one and two coaching certificates of the world squash federation.

He was prepared for the examinations by Abdul Shaikh, a well known badminton player of Bombay during the 60's and currently an established squash coach in Canada.

"I had to put in 60 hours with the course conductor to qualify for the examinations and Sheikh prepared me in five days, working from 9 a.m. to 11 p.m. and beyond," Nayak said.

The examination consisted of both theory and practicals. A candidate had to know the technique of teaching squash, mental as well as physical preparation and how to analyze a player's game.

Nayak hopes to do level three, the highest, next year. He will then be eligible to conduct examinations for aspiring coaches.

Mixed Magic

THEY are known in the squash world as "the adventurers", Their strokeplay has enthralled audiences all over the world, from the Putura World Trade Centre in Kuala Lumpur to the Standard Bank arena in Johannesburg, from the castle of Kiel to the Heights Casino in slew York. The magical stroke play of the Martin brothers, Brett and Rodney, has become a pan of sports lore.

They have me! seven limes in major events. Rodney's win at the recent Qatar International gives him the edge at 4-3. How long will this last? Only Brett as the answer They were involved in a classic five-game encounter at the World Open in 1989 at Kuala Lumpur, with Brett having the final say.

It was just over two years when they met again, this time in the US Open final. Rodney beat Jahangir in the semis and then accounted for his elder brother, was the first time the brothers ad met in a PSA final and New Yorkers simply loved what they saw. In the end, the champagne bottles came out and the audience rose to toast these two great athletes.

Last year, they met twice, at the World Open at Johannesburg and at the European Open at Kiel. Rodney was two games up and looked set for an early afternoon at the Standard Bank arena. Brett showed his class to win the third and fourth games, both . a 17-15 scoreline. and it needed a special effort from Rodney in the decider to win. This quarter-final encounter at Johannesburg probably ranks as their best match to date.

The concert hall at Kiel was exotic venue. The Martin brothers played to their own sym-phony and the squash was a joy watch, a fitting end to the 1992 season. This year, it's been different with Brett winning at the ISPA Super Series finals and then at the Cathy Pacific Unisys Open, the latter giving him his first major title.

When you look at the squash world today, there's a wide variety of playing styles. Jansher and Chris Dittmar have moulded their game on the fitness factor, Peter Marshall uses a double handed stroke. The Martin brothers have their own brand: uninhibited, free-flowing and out of the ordinary. There are limes when the strokes are invented, there are times when words cannot describe the execution of a particular shot and there are times when the opponent thinks the ball is coming as a crosscourt but it ends up somewhere else.

In contemporary squash, only Qamar Zaman played with such finesse. He had Geoff Hunt and Jahangir to contend with. The Martin brothers have also had Jahangir but he has been accompanied by the mean machine, Jansher. They have taken on the Khans, with Rodney in particular enjoying a fair amount of success.

Adelaide seems to be a happy hunting ground for the Australians . Geoff Hunt Qamar Zaman in the 1977 and 1980 World Open finals, both of which were held in Adelaide. The next II years saw the Aussies finish runners-up on lour occasions. 1991 ended this long. exasperating wait as Rodney Martin beat Jahangir Khan in the World Open finals at Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

Today, Rodney is ranked at number three in the world and Brett is a close fourth. Their mad show has made many a stop around the globe and there's hardly been a dull moment. Now, these two adventurers are headed for Bombay to play in the Mahindra International Challenge. Diwali may be over but for Bombayites, the Martin fireworks are yet to come.

Shift in world squash power base

By RAJU CHAINANI   Times of India 10-11-1993

BOMBAY, November 9. THE cancellation of next 1 month's $ 100,000 European Open has come as a big blow to the Professional Squash Association (PSA), the organisers of the international circuit. This event, held in the rather exotic surroundings of the Castle of Kiel's concert hall, was one of the most popular tournaments and had gone from strength to strength. Sadly, German Telecom, the sponsors, pulled out at the eleventh hour and the PSA were left with no option.

The depression in Europe is certainly taking its toll on the squash circuit. Having said that, there is very encouraging news from the other side of the world. Tokyo is to host a major prize money event in November, 1994. The Dubai classic held last month was a success and the PSA have confirmed it for next year's calendar. Another major event has been tied up in Abdu Dhabi and there are distinct possibilities of much more happening in the Gulf.

At last month's annual general meeting of the World Squash Federation, there were some very significant allocations over the next five years. Egypt, Hong Kong and Malaysia have successfully bid for the World Championships. There have been high-level discussions with Thailand, who host the 1998 Asian Games, in which squash has been included as a discipline.

The balance of power in world squash has shifted. Although the PSA operates out of Cardiff, it's tentacles have spread far and wide. There have been a few problems, like the late payment of the prize money at the Brazilian Classic and the sealed court floor at the Singapore Open. But, these have been resolved. Harry Nair, secretary of the Singapore Squash Association, has confirmed that next year's event is on. The Asians have been quick to respond to the need of the hour. Hong Kong have acquired a new all-glass court. It was a gift from the Royal Hong Kong Jockey Club. The $ 100,000 present was immediately put to use at this year's Cathay Pacific Unisys Open in August. It is also available for hire at around $ 15,000 for a week. It is this court that we may see in Bombay in December, if the big prize-money event comes through.

There have also been major .developments in Malaysia. They have embarked on a fifteen-million-dollar programme spanned over the next four years as their build-up for the 1998 Commonwealth Games. For squash, fifteen million dollars is a staggering sum but the Malaysians have been able to bring it about, thanks to private enterprise.

In 1989 Malaysia hosted the men's World Championships Chris Dittmar beat Jahangir Khan in an epic semi-final and very nearly put it across Jansher Khan in the final. The on-court action was superb and so too was the hospitality. It didn't quite end there because the Malaysians bid for more big events and kept up a very high level of expertise. The World junior women's championships were hosted by them in July this year. In January, they have the Asian seniors event and there's more to follow.

Hopefully, as far as a major PSA event is concerned, India will break its duck this year and add strength to the shifting power base. If Malaysia and Hong Kong can do it, why can't we? Like Bob Dylan suggested in his famous song, "The answers my friend, are blowing in the wind". No more need to be said.

Even when it comes to staging an Asian championship, we have had many a wild experience. Like the tournament t-shirts disappearing. How can one forget the prize distribution where the quality of the medals were such that they fell off the hooks. Or the extra large size tracksuits given to the Indian ladies team who were politely told that it was the latest designer wear!!

As far as Indian squash is concerned, it has sadly been a case of "So little done for so many by so few". Maybe, like the unseasonal rain, we could see things change. Maybe we shall take a tip or two from Suzy Wong. We have the talent, we have the need and we have the masters at making a mess. The grapevine suggests that the SRF1 President is going to take the bull by the horns. Hopefully he will and things will change. But the thought of it, Indian squash without any tamashas, does sound rather boring, doesn't it?

Squash juniors need help

By Raju Chainani ( The times of India 11-7-1993 )

BOMBAY, July 10.

DURING the last couple of months, Yusuf Khan and Satinder Pal Bajwa, coaches of international repute, have had some of our top players training with them. For these two gurus, there has been an immense satisfaction. They have a great, affection for India and are keen to help Indian squash. For them, this is just the beginning and a lot more can be achieved in the days to come.

Initially, there was a guarded reaction from the Squash Rackets Federation of India, the parent body, over the Non-Resident Indian Squash Association's junior development programme. However, Shishir Bajoria, the SRFI secretary, has met Anil Nayar, the NRISA president, in Bombay and New York and as a result, certain grey areas were sorted out.

The overall responsibility of the game in the country lies with the SRFI. What the NR1 body had done was to take the top juniors in the under-14 and under-19 category and put them under Yusuf's care, If anything, this should be construed as a positive sign and being solely directed at helping the juniors.

The proof of the pudding is there for the pubic to see. Shondip Ghosh, the National under- 14 champion and Rohan Bhappu, the number two in this age-group, have returned as better and much stronger players. Five times national champion, Meherwan Daruvala, was pleasantly surprised by Bhappu's progress. At the CCI courts, Ghosh is seen to be playing much better after his stint at Seattle.

The two boys have to be nurtured. It is from them that we can expect to win laurels. They have quite a few good years of squash ahead and, given the opportunity, should come up trumps.

The key word is opportunity. The top juniors in India today all come from Bombay. Apart from Ghosh and Bhappu, both under-14, the Asthana twins, Vinay and Vineet, are not yet 17. Paul Fererria, the current under-19 champion, graduates into the senior ranks this year. He has already made his mark, having finished runner-up in the Patel Masters last October. Rishad Billimoria, who has been to Seattle along with Paul, is very highly thought of and should do well this year. They have had some exposure, but what happens now?

The NRJSA has the services of Ananth Nayak, the former Indian international. But, there is an immediate requirement for the juniors to have courts for regular practice, even if it be at off-peak hours. The state association should play a key role here. There has to be a systematic approach whereby the juniors can play together. It makes a big difference and is even more beneficial from the coaching point of view. Else, the whole momentum of the coaching the boys have had with Yusuf would be lost.

Today, no city or state can boast of the depth and quality of junior talent that presently exists in Bombay. Think about it. And, if you add to the impressive list of juniors the names of national champions, Adrian Ezra (men), Misha Grewal (women) and Chandrakant Pawar (professionals), Bombay's stranglehold on Indian squash becomes even more evident. It's time something was done for them, perhaps by way of recognition as well.

A positive approach will go a long way in assisting the juniors. There is no earthly reason why they should be made to suffer. Bombay squash has the launching pad and something good can be achieved if all concerned with the sport work towards a common goal.

Junior squash players to be coached in U.S.

Times of India  2-4-1993.

THREE Indian teenaged squash players would undergo a month-long intensive coaching stint under renowned coach Yusuf Khan in the United States in May-June this year as part of the three-year junior development programme of the non-resident Indian Squash Association.

The New York-based body, formed just over a year back with former National champion Anil Nayar as its president, would sponsor the coaching stint of Shondip Ghosh, the National undcr-14 champion, and the National under-19 champion and the runner-up, respectively, Paul Ferreira and Rishad Billimoria, at the downtown Seattle Club, which has excellent facilities.

Nayar told reporters here yester day that some other juniors would be added to the list later based on their performance and commitment to improve the standard of Indian squash which, he said, had already shown marked progress recently when the under-19 squash finished runners-up to strong Pakistan at the Asian juniors championship in Singapore.

The NRISA has also reached an understanding with another well-known coach, Satinder Bajwa, who would come down to India three or four limes a year to provide training to top Indian juniors, who would be given regular coaching by Ananth Nayak and Fali Madon.

In addition, coach Nayak has been sponsored by the NRISA to go to Vancouver in Canada to undergo level two coaching course, which lays emphasis on the psychological and physiological aspects of the game. He would also be in Seattle when the juniors train under Yusuf Khan,

The NRISA would also assist in kitting the juniors who would participate in major juniors and seniors events in India as part of the programme, Nayak added.

Arjan goes down tamely

By Raju Chainani (Mid-day 31-8-1993) 

SINGAPORE, August 31 ASIAN hopes in the 24th Anchor Beer Singapore Open now lie solely with the four Pakistani players in the main draw of the mens event. This became evident after the Indian number two, Arjan Singh, lost to Gamal El Amir (Egypt) 15-13, 8-15, 15-9 15-13. He had to win this match to become one of eight qualifiers. Arjan seemed intent on trying to break the ball. There wasn't much by way of variety against an opponent who is known to be rather flam-buoyant. 

Arjan led 12-8 in the opener and somehow managed to lose it. He came back strongly to level and surprisingly played some very loose squash to give the Egyptian the third game. The six foot plus Sikh was always playing second fiddle in the fourth game and lost on a debatable penalty point. He had earlier beaten Singapore's Ernest Tan 15-6, 13-15, 11-15, 15-6, 15-6. 

The other Indian who tried his luck was Akshay Joshi. He has recently been training with Satinder Pal Bajwa (Jansher's coach) but had no answer to Australia's Byron Davis as he went out 15-11, 15-3, 15-10. Malaysia's Jay Lim was beaten by Daniel Sharpin (New Zealand) 15-12, 15-6, 8-15, 15-9.

Asian ladies champion, Mah Li Lian (Singapore) tries her luck in the womens qualifying round today. India's Misha Grewal, ranked 39 in the world, has a direct entry into the main draw. She meets Danielle Martin (Australia), the number five seed.

Surprisingly, Malaysia have no player in the qualifying ladies event. Singapore have six entries. They also fielded 22 players for the mens qualifying but nobody made the grade.

Ernest Tan came close as did another real character of the game, Zainal Abidin, who had surprised everybody by almost managing to qualify at Hong Kong.

Today the main event gets under way. Jansher has had a work out today. He appeared very calm and relaxed. In fact he had come to sec his colleagues play in the qualifying rounds. Along with him, Mir Zaman Gul, Zarak and Zubair Jahan Khan are in the main draw.

The Glass Court

Times of India 5-12-93  

INDIA was one of the founders of the International Squash Rackets Federation (ISRF); yet today the country scarcely figures on the world professional circuit. That may soon change as it gets set to host the Marinara International Squash Challenge tournament in Bombay next week.

Promoted by ProComm Sports Pvt. Ltd.. the Marinara Challenge will bring world-class squash to India for the first time, with eight top players battling it out for a total prize money of US $ 55000..

The five-day tournament, slated to begin on December 13 at the Bombay Gymkhana Club, is expected to attract close to 3.000 spectators each day. They will see a variety of world-famous playing techniques: the fabled shot making ability of Brett Martin (world number four), the four double-handed backhand used so effectively by Peter Martin (world number five), the incredible stroke play that won Rodney Martin (world number three) the world championships in 1991 and the perseverance that earned Chris Dittmar (world number two) the reputation for being the most intelligent squash player.

The other participants are Rodney Eyles, Ross Norman, Philip Whitlock, and Chris Walker world numbers six through nine respectively.

The game will be played on the portable Twin Vue court. Twin Vue courts or "fishbowls", as they are often referred to by the pros. are the latest addition to the game, aimed at revolutionizing squash and making it truly a spectator sport.

They are also tough. According to Gordon Hirst managing director and partner of Prospec, the world's largest squash court manufacturing company and sapling the glass at 6 feet 4 inches above the ground to shatter the walls of this court." Hirst was in Bombay recently to finalise arrangements for the match.

The court's walls are transparent in one direction only. So the players are not disturbed by the spectators.

The glass-back court was pioneered by Ellis Pearson back in 1969. In 1977 Prospec International took over and developed the Ellis Pearson system. Over the next decade and a half. Prospec's glass-back wall went through a process of rigorous testing. Today it is the only glasswall court recognised by the ISRF for its safety and performance standards.

Constructed of a glass-hack wall and acrylic side walls, the portable court weighs five tonnes, inclusive of the light and ceiling fixtures and the floor It takes a mere 48 hours to install. The walls are transparent, but only in one direction, allowing spectators to watch the game without the players seeing them.

In order to achieve this oneway effect, a thin plastic sheet, on which are superimposed minuscule black and while dots, is stuck onto the acrylic walls of the portable court. Specially made lights reflect off the white dots, enabling the players inside to see a solid playing surface. The black dots on the outside give the spectator a clear, unimpeded view of the game, as there-are no external light sources.

This revolutionary court offers camera angles never achieved before, and comfortable seating arrangements for spectators, as opposed to the cramped viewing galleries of the past. All these have contributed immensely to the game's popularity over the past decade.

Soon, the first Indian squash court construction company, Zyrex Corporation, an associate of Prospec International, will begin to build squash courts in India as per ISRF standards, a big step in the promotion of squash in a country like India, according to Hirst. Top-class facilities will eventually replace ancient squash courts, and with their improved safety standards they will soon be host to more international tournaments. Hirst emphasises that India needs exposure to world-level squash, and Indian players need 10 appear on the international circuit once again.

Hirst feels it is a great pity that India has only two or three players on the international circuit. "There is great potential for development of squash in India," he says. "This tournament is the perfect opportunity to launch a revival."

But progress can only be achieved once the need for a long-term investment is recognised. And who knows,' Maybe India will once again figure

INDIANS LOSE TIE, WIN FRIENDS (P-30)

By Raju Chainani ( Mid-day 5-2-1993 )

SINGAPORE, February 5 PAKISTAN AVENGED last Sunday s defeat as they beat India 3-0 to retain their stranglehold on the Asian Junior Squash Championships. It was a highly disciplined performance by them against an Indian side that played its heart out. Rishad Billimoria had a great chance to take a two games lead against Kumail Mahmood in the opener. Had that happened, the pressure would have been on the Pakistani who till then, had been comprehensively outplayed.

Billimoria made seven unforced errors in this second game. A backbreaking rally, over a hundred strokes, saw him put a forehand boast into the tin. This gave Mahmood the second game. He had trailed by a game and was 1-5 down before the revival began. One had to feel for Billimoria. He had given it everything and yesterday's hard semi-final was taking its toll. Mahmood won 2-9, 9-7, 9-2, 9-2 after sixty-four minutes.

Pakistan had dropped Imtiaz Khan, their number one player, from their team. Asghar Khan soon vindicated coach Gogi Allaudin's decision to do so as he beat Paul Ferreria 9-4, 9-4, 9-5 in 37 minutes.

Akbar Khan had a relatively easy time in the first and second games against Vineet Asthana. A brief flutter by the Indian saw him catch up at 5-5 in the second game, having trailed 0-4 and 1-5. Akbar led 6-0 in the third and it looked all over. The Indian hadn't given up. He took advantage of some careless play by the Pakistani and a penalty stroke gave him this third game. There was hardly any resistance from Asthana in the fourth and he managed just one point 9-5, 9-5, 7-9, 9-1 to Akbar after 43 minutes.Coach Ananth Nayak felt that Pakistan were the better side on the day. "It would be incorrect to make any excuses. This was a pressure match and they handled the situation better," he suggested.

The Indians had come here with just two weeks preparation, that too being interrupted by the disturbance in Bombay. They have earned the respect of the teams here and have shown that Pakistan can be beaten. 

Boys bronze medal play-off: Malaysia beat Hong Kong 3-0. 

Girls  round  robin:   Malaysia beat Hong Kong 2-1 to win the title.

The lucky ones

Mid-day  6-4-1993

PAUL FERRE1RA (National under-19 champion), Rrishad Billimoria (National under-19 runner-up) and Shondip Ghosh (National order-14 champion) are Seattle-bound next month. They are to train with Yusuf Khan, the former CCI professional.

This is part of a three-year junior development programme that has been put together by the Non-Resident Indian Squash Association (NRISA). Ananth Nayak, who coached the Indian juniors during the last two years, will also make the trip and during his stay be is to do a Level two coaching course.

Anil Nayar, the NRISA president, suggested that the current, lot of juniors needed encouragement. "They are very talented and I have seen a lot of progress in then- play. There are areas which need to be worked on and this is why we opted for them to train with Yusuf," he said. The NRISA has also reached an agreement with Satinder Bajwa ( Khan's coach) whereby he will  come down to Bombay three or four times a year.

"There has to be continuity in the training," said Nayar. "Our objectives are very dear and we would like to assist the boys in every way. We have launched a global appeal and are confident that our scheme will be acceptable to people who have the interest of the game heart."

Nayar revealed that be had received a far from the SRFI asking for his assistance. "As long as there is a dear cut understanding, I see no reason why the SRFI and the NRISA cannot work together. I would like to make it very dear that the NRISA is a non-political body and our objectives are dearly defined," suggested Nayar.

For the Indian juniors, this could herald the dawn of a new era. The soft-spoken Nayar hasn't minced his words. It's very much like the squash he played in his heydays. It was aimed at winning or very simply, to be the best.

Press Report of Raju Chainani (1992)

• 24-12-1992 : Juniors were below par (Mid-day)
• 20-12-1992 : Ezra, Arjan in final  
• 18-12-1992 : Local hope stunned by Bombay pro
• 09-12-1992 : Joshi to meet Ezra in semis (Mid-day)
• 05-09-1992 : Defeat yes, dismay no (Mid-day)
• 05-09-1992 : Triumphant Jansher at his best (Mid-day)
• 29-08-1992 : INDIANS LET SCOTS FREE (Mid-day)
• 28-08-1992 : HICCUPS AND HEROICS FOR INDIA (Mid-day)
• 27-08-1992 : INDIA CRUSH BERMUDA (Mid-day)
• 25-08-1992 : INDIA STRUGGLE TO WIN (Mid-day)
• 24-08-1992 : Scrappy show by Indians (Mid-day)
• 19-08-1992 : SOMETHING TO CROW ABOUT! (Mid-day)
• 17-08-1992 : Four Indians in second round (Mid-day)
• 15-08-1992 : Baptism by fire! (Mid-day)
• 29-07-1992 : Indians fumble at French hurdle (Mid-day)
• 19-07-1992 : Squash's merry men (Mid-day)
• 14-07-1992 : Squash emerges from the 'hole' (The Telegraph)
• 09-05-1992 : Giving squash an impetus (The Hindu)

Squash emerges from the ‘hole’

The Telegraph 14-7-1992

Glass-wall courts, graphite rackets and television coverage have transformed squash during the last decade. Increased sponsorship and the growing number of players have been but two off-shoots of  this phenomenon. Today there are over 10 million players spread over a hundred countries. The international circuit carries total stakes in excess of $2 million.

It was the advent of the all-glass court that really sparked off the revolution in the game. Wembley had seen the glass-back court attract the numbers, but the need to create more spectator space around a squash court hadn't quite been quenched.

As technology improved, the four wall glass courts made  their appearance. Very soon special lighting helped improve matters greatly, Television cameras made their debut, and in the last couple of years events like the world championships have been beamed to over 80 countries.

There had been problems with sighting of the ball on the idiot box. This played the way for a special fluorescent ball, white in color and easier to pick on television screens. Experiments continue to further develop this aspect and the next couple of years are likely to see more events being screened ‘live’.

The graphite invasion and the big rackets were on the anvil for some time. The big got Squash Rackets Federation (ISRF) restricted the hitting area last November to a maximum of 68 square centimeters. Other changes had also come through. The point a rally American scoring system has been used with good effect. It has ended the days of the long rallies, paving the way for attractive stroke play instead of attritional squash.

The last decade has seen the domination of the Khans.  Jahangir  took over from Geoff Hunt in November 1981 and remained unbeaten  at   the   British Open for the next decade. He won six world titles too, and it has only been in the last five years that he has been seriously challenged. That came from a wiry compatriot from Peshawar. Jansher won three world titles and, earlier this year, broke, his duck at the British Open.

The two Khans, particularly Jansher, may continue to dominate the squash world for some more time. But it has become increasingly evident that a powerful challenge is emerging from the Australians and some Europeans.

For most part of the Seventies, Geoff Hunt had reigned supreme. He was the complete squash player, and a splendid ambassador of the game. When Hunt finally retired, he left behind a big void in Australian squash.

In 1980, Hunt had won his fourth world open title at Adelaide. Eleven years later, his pupil, Rodney Martin, came up trumps at the same venue ended years of frustrating, wait for the Aussies, while Jahangir and Jansher dominated & Chris Dittmar, Chris Robertson and some others had come close, but never managed to get their hands on the gold.

Dittmar had actually been in four world Open finals, losing three to Jansher and the one to Jahangir. Even today, the Aussies occupy five of the top 10 positions, on the rankings, list but the No.l slot continues to include them. The Aussies have launched, big programme to boost their chances at the international level. The Australian Institute of Squash was set up in Brisbane and two of Australia's greatest players Geoff Hunt and Heather Mackay were asked to help develop talent Ken Hiscoe was appointed national coach, much on the same lines as Bobby Simpson in cricket. The results are already showing. In 1989, the Aussies won the world team title, beating Pakistan in the final. Last November, they retained the crown with an emphatic win over England.

A part from the world Open, the British A Open has been the  almost sought after title in squash. This has been so right from the days of Hashim, Roshan and Azam. England have attracted the best in the world and it has been some­what surprising that no British player, has consistently been at the top. Jonah Barrington, with some six British Open titles, was perhaps their best player. He has now taken on a new role as Director of Excellence.

Barrington's efforts to produce a British champion has seen the emergence of an effective development programme. Eight and 10 year olds are taught the ropes and now Simon Parke, Peter Marshall, Del Harris and others have made it into the top 15. They have some catching up to do with the Aussies, but there are clear signs that the British are on the right trail.

Elsewhere in Europe, Finland and Germany have shown their mettle. Squash has also spread into Spain, Italy, France and other countries. The Russians have asked for lessons. So too have some former Eastern Bloc countries. Major international events have become regular features in Europe. A good deal of professionalism has sat in and even the German league attracts top, international players now.

In Asia too, squash has made steady progress. Singapore Hong Kong, Malaysia and Pakistan are regular stops for the likes of Jahangir, Jansher and Dittmar. Last year's Pakistan Open had $100,000 on offer, It had government backing too. In fact, in Asian countries there is considerable support from the local and national councils.

Hong Kong's Abdul Faheem Khan is ranked No.26 in the latest world list, the highest position ever achieved by a player from this colony. Faheem, in fact, is Asia's  third highest ranked player, behind Jansher and Jahangir. It reflects a falling standard in Pakistan, as also the emergence of others in the continent.

Ladies squash has been dominated by Susan Devoy for the best part of the last decade. The petite Kiwi has kept her position as world No.1 for the last seven years. There was a time, in 1986, the year that Ross Norman beat Jahangir, that New Zealand has both world champions. Norman is still in the top 10 but there have not been many others to have come up from New Zealand.

The Australian ladies have always posed a dangerous challenge. Liz Irving, Michelle Martin, Daniella Drady and others have been in the top five. But they have not managed the perch at the top unlike he days of Heather Mackay, when the Aussies were considered invensible. Of late,  the Ausses have been challenged by the British. Martine Le Moignan, Lisa Opie, Susan Wright and Cassandra Jackman have been worthy adversaries. Many believe mat Jackman, the current world junior champion, will emerge as a future star. She is making life uncomfortable for the rest, including Susan Devoy, and in the next couple of years, could take over at the top.

As the game developed, other things have happened alongside, poping controls have come in. Although this does prove to be an expensive exercise, it has become a necessity. Regulations also make it compulsory now for players to attend the post match Press conference. They could get fined for not doing so.

The ISRF has been trying to spread the gospel of squash far and wide. Attempts are being made to get the game accepted as an Olympic discipline and this could become a reality at the 2000 Games. Meanwhile, squash was introduced to the South East Asian (SEA) Games last November and has got the nod for the 1995 Pan American Games. Kuala Lumpur, vying for the 1998 Commonwealth Games,   is   likely   to   accept squash as a discipline should their bid prove successful. The ISRF has its headquarters in Kuala   Lumpur   and   Tunku Imran, the president, is the son of    the    Deputty    King    of Malaysia.

Local hope stunned by Bombay pro

Mid-day 18/12/1992

MADRAS, December 18 BOMBAY GYMKHANA professional, Gopi  Mohite surprised leading local player, M Meyyappan to reach the quarter final of the Indian Bank National Squash Championships. Mohite won 3-9, 9-3, 2-9, 9-2, 9-7 and will, now meet Akshay Joshi tomorrow.

Bombay has its weakest representation at, this year's nationals. Out has to go back to 1969 to Calcutta where the advent of the Bangladesh war caused many of the top players to miss out and tennis are Akthar Ali won the event. Here, at the 39th nationals, it now become a case of Adrian Ezra fighting off the challenge from the services.

The defending champion took just 26 minutes as he swept Ben An Elias, 9-1, 9-0, 9-1. He faces I S Bains in the quarters. In match punctuated by traffic problems. Bains prevailed over Arun Ganguly, This was a late evening match and it kept refree Ali Ispahani, a former national champion, on his toes. Bains won 9-6. 7-9,9-5,9-3.

Ravinder Malik, the third seed, was too experienced and despite having to be tested by the occasional brilliance of Murugappan. He came though 9-0, 9-5, 9-5. He takes on the strokeplaying Narjit Singh.

Ezra, Arjan in final

Mid-day 20/12/1992

MADRAS, December 19 ADRIAN EZRA and Arjan Singh will contest the final of the Indian Bank National Squash Championships.

Ezra beat Akshay Joshi (Servi­ces) 9-4, 9-1, 9-0 in 33 minutes. In an all-Army affair, Arjan Singh beat Ravinder Malik 9-2, 9-1, 9-1 in 39 minutes.

The latter match was scrappy with the referee, AH Ispahani being called upon to make 32 deci­sions, five of which resulted in penalty strokes, while the others were called let.

Arjan led 4-0 in the opener. It had taken him seven minutes to get this far and there had been nine lets.

Malik appeared to be rather lethargic and couldn't get his act together. At 0-6 Malik wrong-footed Arjan with a superb crosscourt backhand, his first real stroke of some authority. He forced an error on the next point but thereafter hit two balls into the tin to give Arjan this game.

Malik was in better form during the second and third games. He missed out on winning volleys, particularly on the backhand and it proved to be costly. Malik won the first point of die third game, ending a superb rally with a forehand crosscourt.

Ezra started his semi-final convincingly. He was 5-0 up, having won the last point with a superb forehand that had Joshi going the wrong way. Three unforced errors from the defending champion saw Joshi at 4-6 but that's as far as he got.

Ezra kept the ball deep and was much quicker than the sailor. It was sad to see the SRAM secretary advising Joshi in between games. This could have a bearing on whether Ezra plays for the State team and a final decision will only be made tomorrow by the national champion.

Misha Grewal won the ladies' final with a 9-0, 9-0, 9-0 win over local girl Srividya Balinaswami.

Giving squash an impetus

Raju Chainani
The Hindu 9-5-1992

"Do you know how many Indians play squash overseas ? We have seen many international players but have rarely come across an Indian. I have been asked many a time why we cannot produce a top ranker", commented Anil Nayar. arguably India's greatest squash player He played for the country on several occasions. Back in 1965, he won the Drysdale Cup. the unofficial junior World Championship. Nayar won eight National titles, a record to-date He has tied in America and has been successful there. Three Inter-Collegiate titles, two U.S. Amateurs and victory in the North American Championships Even today, he competes (and wins) the over-40 age-group events Am! Nayar is a regular visitor to Bombay.

"I was born and brought up here. The CCI courts are a second home to me. This is the Mecca, as far as Indian squash is concerned", Nayar said Over the years, the game has developed rather slowly in India. A matter of politics and problems. Nayar had an idea and has now put his money where his mouth is. The Non Resident Indian Squash Association (NRISA) has been formed with himself and Yusuf Khan firmly behind it. 'We looked at the problems in Indian squash. Like the non-availability of graphite racquets or the difficulties experienced by juniors going abroad to tram and we felt that something could be done in this connection", said Nayar. In a few months time, the juniors go to Hong Kong for the world championships. "We are providing them with two Estusa racquets each and two pairs of shoes", he remarked. "You have to be properly kitted for a major event. Unfortunately, the top-of-the-line racquets and shoes are not made in India.

Squash shoes are particularly designed to give you the right grip and support. You cannot play in tennis shoes, as is being done by some of the players." he suggested. Nayar explained the role NRISA is likely to play. Essentially it was a non-political body and there was no conflict of interest. "We are helping areas where we feel that the SRFI has had problems. In effect this would take a load off their backs. Let me make it clear that we want the game to develop in India. We have asked Pah Madon to oversee the Indian side of things. He has been around for a long time and is well respected in the fraternity. More important is the fact that both Yusuf and myself have full confidence in him", remarked Nayar. It will not be a case of players asking for assistance. It will be the deserving who would be helped 'Otherwise it becomes a shopping trip and we don't want that situation to arise", suggested Nayar The NRISA was also helping the top Indian women. "Bhuvaneshwari Kurnan and Misha Grewal want to play in the world championships at Vancouver in October Yusuf has agreed to train them for a month prior to the event", he said. Nayar knows the value of Yusuf. the soft-spoken coach, who is today highly respected all over the world. He has had a knack of producing champions and when he left India in 1969. a void was created and it has not yet been filled. Yusuf

is sixty now but is still going strong at the Seattle Club. His affinity for India remains and time and again he has sent a racquet for some of his old friends Yusuf was a key player in Jahangir signing up for the Estusa racquets He has always wanted to do something for Indian squash and when this proposal was put before him, he welcomed it. Between him, Anil and Fall, there still exists a firm bond of friendship Now. the trio has set its sights on helping the game in India Nayar still believes that the world champion would come from "a village rather than a school or college".

It has been shown to good effect by our illustrious neighbours and there is no reason why we cannot do the same. Nayar gives the examples of many of our top juniors who got squash scholarships to America and are establishing themselves in the land of opportunities. "We have to look at the real reason why these boys left. More so. it was the academics which prevailed over squash. But. if you took on somebody from the village and assured him of an income, thing; could turn out differently. He would be dedicated to the game on a full-time basis and would have the satisfaction of knowing that a certain sum of money would go to his home each month If we could have the backing of somebody similar to PIA. there would be the chance to play in international competition regularly", said Nayar it's food for thought.

Defeat yes, dismay no

BY RAJU CHAINANI
Mid-day: 05-09-1992

THE COLOUR, culture and clockwork efficiency at the World Junior Squash championships will be remembered for a long time. Hong Kong were splendid hosts and the 24 teams that participated were given the red carpet treatment. India, debutants at this event, finished in fifteenth position in the team event.

There had been hopes of making the elite top twelve grade, a position that ensures direct entry next time around. With a proposed new format coming into being from November this year, India will have to go the regional route as one of the top three in Asia.

Looking back at what transpired during the fortnight is Suzy Wong country, the Indians promised much in the first week but were then found wanting. It isn't just a matter of being physically fit. Tournament and adaptability were required.

Paul Fererria can be good on his day. But this form eluded him at Hong Kong and he kept everybody on tenterhooks. This put additional pressure on the others since most of the team matches were played in a 2-1-3 order.

Rishad Pandole at number one, struggled in the later stages as a calf injury and tough opposition caught him out. Rishad Billimoria impressed many and like his colleagues, would have benefited considerably from the experience. He, along with Vineet Asthana. will be available for the 1994 championships allotted to New Zealand.

Between now and then, there's a lot of hard work to be done. It is the exposure that is most important. We went to Hong Kong woefully short on this front, all courtesy some strange administrative thinking. The boys played a few matches against a select senior squad in Bombay had few days in Kuala Lumpur en route where they took on the Malaysians, and then participated in the warm up event at Hong Kong.

Other teams like Egypt, Finland and Canada had planned out their strategy well in advance and their two and half years had put in considerable court. They had two 15 year old in their team and were good enough to humble us 3-0.

Hong Kong have full-time paid officials. There is considerable support from the government and the HSSRA has been able to find good sponsors. It is a professional set-up and the results speak for themselves.

This was a strong lesson. We cannot produce top level players if they are confined to participating only at club events here. The Indian circuit has very little to offer, therefore the juniors cannot improve to challenge the top Asians. We certainly have the talent. It is the planning, marketing and organisation that has been lacking.

Today, we are fortunate to have Ananth Nayak as the coach. He knows his job, is soft spoken but firm and at Hong Kong, made a very good impression with everybody. He has been with the boys for the fast eight months. Now it's time to build on this small foundation.

The quintet that went to Hong Kong were all Bombay boys. That is something to be proud of. Rather than make an extended autopsy of what happened at the World Juniors, let us take positive steps towards redressing the shortcomings.

This means setting out a development programme, finely defined and put together by those who know and those who care. We have to think positively and set out targets; ask ourselves why we finished lower than Argentina?

Maybe we were wrong in thinking that only Eva Peron, Diego Maradona and Gabriela Sabatini came from that part of the world.

INDIANS LET SCOTS FREE

BY RAJU CHAINANI
Mid-Day: 29-08-1992

HONG KONG, August 29 INDIA CAME perilously close to beating Scotland in the second stage of the Fuji Film World Junior Squash Championships. It wasn't good enough as Scotland won the first two rubbers and with it the tie.

Rishad Billimoria was on court for 57 minutes against Blair Christie. He started well, the backhand in particular working well as he led 6-1. The Scot is very fit and retrieves well. He made Billimoria run around the court and soon the errors began to creep in. Four tins were just what the doctor had not ordered and the advantage had slipped.

Billimoria was tiring and couldn't keep up the pace. He became erratic and it was soon match point to Christie. The Scot thought it was over and perhaps in his over-enthusiasm, got penalised twice as the score now read 8-8. He found the tin again and a superb backhand by Billimoria gave him the game. 

That was a splendid effort by the Indian but he was now almost on his knees. Christie took the fourth game easily dropping just one point. 9-7, 9-2, 8-10, 9-1 was the score as Scotland went one up.

Rishad Pandole must be wondering how his match slipped through his fingers. Cameron McMaster won the opener to love in just seven minutes with Pandole looking out of sorts. McMaster then led 2-0 before the Indian captain put his act on. The squash was a blend of good strokes, near misses and some of it was well worth watching.

Two backhand crosscourts by Pandole saw him in front at 5-3. McMaster replied with telling effect, going on the opposite flank and finding the nick twice. Pandole got a stroke to get to 6-4. A superb forehand volley made it 7-4 and Pandole showed he is just as good with his backhand volley too as he took this game 9-4. McMaster led 5-2 in the third, some careless play by the Indian left something in reserve.

Both players were showing signs of distress. Pandole surprisingly kept the ball on McMaster's forehand in the early part of the final game. This proved to be disastrous as McMaster had shown that he is very strong on this side. The Scot led 3-0 and from there on never looked back as he won this match, 9-0, 4-9. 10-9, 3-9, 9-1 after fifty-nine minutes.

What would have happened if Pandole had won that crucial third game remains a point to ponder. On came Paul Fererria and he started in splendid style against Matthew Morton. It was 9-1, 9-4 before the Scot could do anything. But the honeymoon was too good to last and Fererria lost the third and fourth game before taking a closely fought decider, 9-1. 9-4, 8-10, 2-9, 9-6 to India.

It was no consolation for what had transpired earlier. Now they find themselves in the play-offs for positions 13-16.

Results

Positions 1-8: Quarter-finals England beat Sweden 3-0, Canada beat Finland 2-1, Australia beat New Zealand 3-0, Egypt beat Germany 2-1

Positions 9-16: Hong Kong beat Ireland 2-1, Pakistan beat Argentina 3-0, Scotland beat India 2-1, Malaysia beat France 2-1.

Positions 17-24: USA beat Kenya 3-0, Singapore beat Switzerland 2-1, Spain beat Kuwait 2-1, South Africa beat Bermuda 3-0.

Indians fumble at French hurdle

By Raju Chainani
Mid-day 29-7-92

HONG KONG, August 29 IT'S THE battle for the Ashes tomorrow in the final of the Fuji-film World Junior Squash Championships.

England did the Houdini act against Canada who really must be wondering how they lost when it seemed all over, bar the shouting. Justin Rennie and Chris Clare were both 0-2 down in their respective matches and fought back superbly to win.

In the second semi-final, Australia easily beat Egypt to make their seventh consecutive final in the world team event.

It was another disappointing day for the Indians who yd again had a good-chance to beat France.

Instead they lost 3-0 and will play Ireland tomorrow to decide the 15th and 16th positions.

Out on court 18, India failed to make the French connection. Paul Fererria should have won the opener against Thierry Lincou.

Coach Ananth Nayak was at a loss for words at the 7-9, 9-7, 9-1, 5-9, 9-5 defeat in just under an hour. Half an hour later, it was all over as the French No I outclassed Rishad Pandole. There was some resistance by the Indian captain in the second game which he lost over extra points.

Christop Montagnier's 9-0, 10-8, 9-1 win gave France the tie. They completed the day with Renar. Lavigne adding to India's misery as he recovered from a 1-2 deficit to beat Rishad Billimoria, 7-9, 9-6, 6-9, 9-4,9-1.

It was a sad sight 10 see the Indian looking leg weary and playing some rather loose squash.

HICCUPS AND HEROICS FOR INDIA

BY RAJU CHAINANI
Mid-Day: 28-08-1992

HONG KONG. August 28 PAUL FERERRIA'S lackadaisical approach almost cost India a vital match against Kuwait in the Fujifilm World Junior Squash Championships. India eventually won the tie 2-1 but there were plenty of tense moments, particularly in Fererria's match.

His opponent, Ahmed AI-Majid, is sixteen years old and is the Gulf champion in his age group. The match had an oh-so-familiar beginning. Ferreira was 6-1 up. a couple of winners on each flank getting him there.

Instead of finishing matters off, he tried the spectacular and the results were disastrous. The advantage disappeared and he faced game-point as an attempted backhand boast never got very far.

Ferreira tried again, this time with success as his backhand volley found the nick. Service changed hands an agonising five times before Majid erred and the nineteen-minute game ended. The Kuwaiti was never in the third game when he won just one point. 1-9, 9-7, 9-1 to Ferreira after 42 exasperating minutes. Had he lost the opening game, one can only wonder what may have happened.

Just how important Fererria's win was can be underlined by what happened next. Rishad Pandole was up against the Kuwait number one, Faisal Sarkho In 36 minutes, the Indian had been shown the door as Faisal completely outclassed him.

Faisal won the opener 9-2 in six minutes, the second game 9-3 in fourteen minutes and despite some fight from Pandole in the third, took it 9-6. That made it a tie apiece and everything hinged on the decider.

Rishad Billimoria was far too experienced for the fifteen year old Ahmed Al-Sultan, winning 9-4, 9-1, 9-0 in nineteen minutes and ensuring that India qualify for the play-offs for positions 9-16. Ahmed hits the hall with tenderness, almost as if he was caressing it.

Tomorrow, India play Scotland and a win here should ensure that they finish in the top twelve and thereby get direct entry into the top pools for the 1994 championships. While all this was happening. Pakistan were being humbled 3-11 by Australia, a result that means’ that they are now in the play-offs for positions 9-16.

RESULTS

Group A: England beat Egypt 3-0. Finland beat New Zealand 3-0. Scotland heat Ireland 3-0
Group B: Australia beat Pakistan 3-0 Germany beat Malaysia 3-0, Canada heat Sweden 2-1
Group C: India beat Kuwait 2-t Hong Kong beat Switzerland 2-1 USA beat Bermuda 3-0
Group D: France beat Kenya 3-0 South Africa heat Spain 3-0 Argentina beat Spain 3-0

INDIA CRUSH BERMUDA

By Raju Chainani
Mid-day 27-8-92

HONG KONG, August 27 INDIA TOYED with little Bermuda, winning 3-0 in less than an hour us the round-robin group matches at the FujiFilm World Junior Squash Championship reached their concluding stage.

Bermuda, with a population of less than 60,000 has just 300 players in the country. They have only one club at the Bermuda Squash Rackets Association. The lour courts at the club were the venue for the recent Carribean Junior Championship where Bermuda won three medals. Here, it was a different kettle of finish.

Three players failed to score a point against Hong Kong and with the Indians, it was a similar story. They managed eight points between them and the only thing one had to do was to admire their fighting spirits.

It has cost the Bermudans US $15,000 for this trip. That's an awful lot of money but they believe it's been worth it.

Last night Rishad Billimoria started the rout by beating eleven year old Nicholas Kyme, 9-0, 9-0 9-0. Rishad Pandole won 9-2, 9-2 9-1 against Melrindo Cames and Paul Fererria went through the motions as he beat the violin player, Chris Darrell 9-1 9-2, 9-0. Coach Ananth Nayak chose to play the same team perhaps reminding them that they arc here to play serious squash and there should be no repetition of Tuesday night's fiasco. Today, India play Kuwait who struggled past Switzerland.

The Indians have to win this encounter to assure themselves of qualifying for the play off for positing 9-16. Finishing in the lop twelve here is of prime importance because it gives those teams direct entry into the next championship, scheduled for New Zealand in August 1994.

The ISRF have announced the new guideline for future world championships where a maximum of 24 teams would be allowed to compete. In addition to the twelve who get direct entry, the remaining dozen will come from Europe (4), Asia (3), Africa (2) and one each from Oceania, Pan-America and South America.

This is something for the Indians to aim at, having done reasonably well so far. There was no excuse, though, for the defeat by Hong Kong.

Now they have to put in a good showing against Kuwait who cannot be under-rated. Their third string, Ahemd Al-Sultan was thought to be schoolboy material hut he won a five game affair with Switzerland's Robin Straub which enabled his team to score a surprise victory.

Faheem Gul Kuwait's coach, has been around for some time and has been associated with a few top Pakistanis, He feels India will be hard to beat but so did the Hong Kong coach. Chris Clark.

It is sad to see this causal attitude from our boys. This however is a team effort and coach Ananth Nayak has been making that message get through clearly. They all have to get down to the idea of winning and not playing for the gallery. India has beaten Hong Kong comprehensively at the last Asian juniors and should never have lost . Anyway, that is water under the bridge now and a win today will in some    ways    make    up    for    this disappointment.

Meanwhile, Pakistan were humbled 3-0 by Germany. The highlight of this encounter was splendid performance by the German number one Edgar Sehneider who beat Mohammad Sadiq 9-2, 8-10  8-10 9-3 9-3.

Pakistan have so far been blanked by Canada and have struggled to beat Sweden and Malaysia, they now play the Aussies in their concluding match tomorrow Egypt continued to impress, this time with an emphatic 3-0 win over New, Zealand.

It's their fourth successive win in the group and they take on hug-land today, in a match that will decide who will top their section.

RESULTS  
Group A: England beat Scotland 3-0. Finland beat Ireland 3-0 Egypt beat New Zealand 3-0.  
Group B: Australia beat Sweden 3-0; Germany beat Pakistan 3-0 Canada heat Malaysia 3-0.  
Group C: India beat Bermuda 3-0. Hong Kong beat USA 2-1: Kuwait beat Switzerland 3-0.  
Group D: France beat Singapore 3-0 Argentina beat Spain 3-0; South Africa beat Kenya 3-0.

INDIA STRUGGLE TO WIN  

By Raju Chainani
Mid-day 25-8-92

HONG KONG, August 2 THE SCORELINE read, India Switzerland 0. It is a very deceiving one because there were plenty of heartaches en route to the India success. Both Paul Fererria and Rishad Pandole had their work cut out and were taken the distance by fairly ordinary opponents.

Fererria's ability has never been in doubt but he tends to let his concentration waver and it almost cost him and India the opening match. He started beautifully against Jan Harms and was hitting winner after winner. It was 7-1 in the opener, courtesy three backhand and two forehand winners.

Who would have imagined that he would keep finding the tin with regularity and let the game slip through. He had a chance at 8-4 but his forehand volley was wayward. Harms took his chances, got a penalty stroke at 7-8 and a lucky service nick took the game into extra points.

Fererria's love affair with the tin wasn't quite over yet. There were two more such strokes to come as Harms took the opener 10-8. A repeat performance was in store. This time Harms led 5-0, three of those points courtesy the generous Indian. A backhand drop by Fererria got him to 2-5 and a superb boast on the same flank got him closer.

Luck was with the Swiss number two as his serve again found the nick and now he was 2-0 up. He led 4-2 in the third and it looked all over. The Fererria touch had been sadly missing all along. He got to 4-4 with a penalty stroke another made it 6-4 and suddenly the complexion of the game changed.

Fererria   hit   a   beautiful   backhand boast and then, following a - fine rally, tucked away a forehand volley to make it 8-4. World he falter again? A forehand drop hugged the wall. Harms couldn't return it and there was some relief in the Indian camp.

Harms was tiring and a casual forehand return into the tin had him facing match point. Fererria was not to be denied this time as his backhand volley was too good and ended this 73 minute encounter, 8-10, 8-10, 9-4, 9-4, 9-3 to the Indian who for the second day running has been rather fortunate to escape.

Rishad Pandole was on next, his opponent being the Swiss champion Marcel Straub. Pandole started badly, being 1-6 down. A forehand volley and three unforced errors by Straub made it 6-7.

It wasn't good enough, particularly because of the careless play that followed and Straub was one-up after fourteen minutes. Pandole got to 5-2 in the second game with a superb forehand crosscourt nick. He went the other way at 6-2, equally well-executed stroke. But, Pandole at gamepoint could not convert and Straub won five points in a row and suddenly it was 7-8.

Straub lost his serve and then put a backhand out of court to give Pandole the game. The Indian led 4-2 in the third, should have gone to 5-2 but was disallowed a penalty stroke that looked fairly obvious. No let was given, much to the surprise of all, including the Swiss team manager.

A night backhand drop by Straub was very reachable and as he failed to clear the path of the ball. Pandole had to ask for a let. Surprisingly, none was given and it gave the game to straub at 9-7. Pandole was upset, quite understandably. He came out firing and six winners saw him wrap up the fourth game without dropping a point. They were tied together at 3-3 in the decider.

Straub inched ahead at 5-3 with a backhand winner. Pandole's serve was called down.

Straub was tiring and three errors gave Pandole the match. 6-9, 9-7, 7-9, 9-0, 9-5 after 59 minutes. True, he had some bad decisions but on balance, he did not produce the sparkle he is capable off.

Rishad Billimoria toyed with Robin Rambo Straub, winning 9-2, 9-3, 9-1 in half an hour. The Indians play Hong Kong today on the championship court.

Results:

GROUP A: England heat New Zealand 3-0; Finland beat Scotland 3-0; Egypt beat Ireland 3-0.
GROUP B: Australia beat Malaysia 3-0, Pakistan beat Sweden 2-1, Canada beat Germany 3-0.  
GROUP C: Hong Kong beat Bermuda 3-0; USA beat Kuwait 2-1. India beat Switzerland 3-0.  
GROUP D: France beat South Africa 2-1; Singapore beat Spain 2-1, Argentina beat Kenya 3-0.

Scrappy show by Indians

By Raju Chainani
Mid-day 24-8-92

HONG KONG, August 24 INDIA STUTTERED and stumbled en route to a 3-0 win over USA in their opening encounter in Group C at the FujiFilm World Junior Squash Championships.

Paul Fererria was first on court taking on Jason Jewell. The three o' clock start was something new for our boys (the Spanish, who were on the adjacent court had missed their siesta). Overall, it was a lethargic and unimpressive performance by the Indians. Paul Fererria was moving about as if he was in the Hong Kong Park, which incidentally is right behind the squash centre.

Fererria led 3-1, 5-3 and 7-5 in the opener. He kept making errors and his strokes lacked punch. He did find the nick with a forehand crosscourt to give him gamepoint and a sweet backhand went scuttling across the court to put him a game up after fifteen minutes.

Jewell made error after error in the second game where he failed to open his account. There were four occasions when his attempted volley found the top of the tin with Fererria stranded. Now it was the Indian's turn to reciprocate. He was penalised early, then made three unforced errors and the American led 5-1.

Back came the Fererria touch and a forehand crosscourt followed by a superb backhand got him level. Another delightful volley, this time on the forehand saw him 7-5 ahead.

It was 3-3 and 4-4 in the fourth game before Fererria decided to put the finishing touch on the 49 minute encounter. 9-5, 9-0. 7-9, 9-4 to the Indian and plenty of homework to do for the morrow. Out came Rishad Pandole, the calf injury having responded well and he was up against Mir Moshen.

Pandole took just seven minutes over the opener which he won 9-1. He was penalised twice in the second came for service errors, the ball being deemed to have been below the line. From a comfortable situation at 4-0 and 7-3, Pandole suddenly encountered rough weather. He was caught out wity a couple of tight forehand drops and had a penalty point awarded against him as the score became 7-7.

It was all over. 9-1, 9-7, 9-6 to Pandole after forty-four minutes.

It was time for Billimoria's 'Midsummer's Night Dream'. By the time he actually woke up to what was happening around him, Jack Wyant had won the first game 9-3 in ten minutes. Rishad Billimoria had to out the stops now and he began getting into the match slowly.

The Bombayite forced a forehand error; hit a delightful backhand crosscourt and then saw Wyant's return go out of court. 3-9, 9-3, 9-5, 9-5 to Billimoria after 61 minutes.

POOL RESULTS :
GROUP A: England heat Finland 3-0.New Zealand beat Ireland 3-0.  Egypt beat Scotland 3-0.  
GROUP  B:   Australia  beat  Germany 3-0, Canada beat Pakistan 3-0, Sweden beat Malaysia 2-1  
GROUP C: India beat USA 3-0, Hong Kong beat Kuwait 2-1, Switzerland beat Bermuda 3-0.  
GROUP D: France beat Argeblina 3-0. Spain   beat  Kenya  3-0,  South   Africa beat   Singapore 3-0

Juniors were below par

By Raju Chainani
Mid-day 24-12-1992

MADRAS, December 24 IT'S THE traditional battle between the Services 'A' and Maharashtra 'A' in the final of the Indian Bank Inter-State Squash Championships.

Despite spirited performances by M Meyyappan and V Laxman, the Services proved to be too strong for Tamil Nadu 'A' as they won 5-0. India's top two juniors, Paul Ferreira and Rishad Billimoria, were disappointing in the other semi-final in which Maharashtra 'A' beat Services 'B' 4-1.

Today it is the Services who will start favourites. They are up against a young Maharashtra side.

SOMETHING TO CROW ABOUT!

BY RAJU CHAINANI
Mid-Day: 19-08-1992

HONG KONG, August 19 CANADA'S JONATHON Power underlined his claim to be regarded as a leading contender for the world junior squash crown with a whirlwind 9-1, 9-1, 9-3 win over C Montagnier (France).

The Canadian took just 21 minutes over his demolition job. He had missed the warm-up event last week and preferred to stay back to prepare for this instead.

The winner of the warm-up event, Australia's Gavin Kadwell, is seeded fifth here and he needed to pull out a few stops before prevailing over. Markus Koppitz (Germany).

The match went to four games and Kadwell. having looked good in the first two, had to shake of the blues as he made the last 16 stage with a 9-1, 9-2, 3-9, 9-2 win.

Having been bundled out of the main event, the Indians were confined to the Classic Plate. They performed with credit last night, against opposition who were expected to win.

Vineet Asthana beat the Irish No 2, Neal Murphy, 9-5, 9-4, 9-3. He won comfortably enough, considering that Ireland arc amongst the fancied teams in next week's event.

Asthana has not yet learned how strict referees are with awarding penalty points and there were times when his inexperience showed.

Paul Ferreira's win over Ville Varryynen (Finland) was something to crow about. The Finn is ranked at No 4 in his country.

Along with team mate, Juha Raumolin (the top seed in the individual event), the Finns are strong contenders for both the titles here.

Hence, Ferreira's win should give our boys considerable encouragement. 9-6, 9-5, 9-7 after just 28 minutes was a vast improvement on the lethargic display by him Monday night.

Equally, Rishad Pandole had a fine win over Frenchman, Renan Lavigne, showed that on balance we are capable of challenging the Europeans.

Pandole won the opener easily but was lackadaisical in the second. He was a trifle lucky in the third which he scraped through at 10-9 and that seemed to finish off the Frenchman. 9-5, 1-9, 10-9, 9-0 to Pandole after 41 minutes.

Out, on court 8, little Rishad Billimoria was taking on the New Zealand No 2, Matthew Clarke. They shared the first two games and there was plenty of excitement in the third.

Billimoria trailed initially, caught up at 7-7 with a delightful backhand volley and then had gamepoint. He was a trifle unlucky with some decisions which appeared to upset his rhythm and Clarke edged to a 10-9 success in this vital game.

Both players appeared to be tiring thereafter and the Kiwi proved to be just the fitter. Nevertheless it was a gutsy performance by the Indian and he has shown why he is being talked about as our best player here.

Today, Paul Ferreira has a chance to avenge Billimoria's defeat. The Kiwis are seeded in the top eight in the team event and Billimoria's showing has certainly given our boys hope of better things to come.

Out on court, Pakistan's two southpaws made their way into the last sixteen. Mohammad Sadiq looked solid in an emphatic 9-4, 9-5, 9-2 win over Kiwi No 1, Chad Sunde.

Hamid Hussain needed four games and 62 minutes to account for Finland's Timo Tuominen, 8-10. 9-4 9-0 9-3.

Now it's heavyweight time and no-one knows that better than their coach, Umar Daraz Khan.

Dr Norman Gledhill, adviser to the International Squash Rackets Federation on doping control, said that 20 players would be tested during these championships.

They would be selected at random and only advised after the conclusion of their match. Dr Ciledhill pointed out that the most important aspect in the doping control was the actual collection of the samples. 

"People have to be especially trained for this. Otherwise, as you know, the top athletes turn up with lawyers and challenge the validity of the samples." he said. 

The samples taken here will be flown out to Montreal which is one of only 13 labs in the world accredited by the International Olympic Committee for doping control. 

"It is an expensive exercise. Each test costs US $250 and usually the analysis can be done in 24 hours. It is the actual flying out of the samples that does take the time when the country where the tests are carried out does not have an accredited lab," he suggested. 

Today, Dr Gledhill conducts a workshop with the players and officials.

Triumphant Jansher at his best

BY RAJU CHAINANI
Mid-Day: 05-09-1992

SINGAPORE, September 5 JANSHER KHAN put on a vintage performance as he destroyed Brett Martin in the final of the Anchor Singapore Open Squash Championship. 15-4, 15-6, 15-9 was his winning scoreline in a match which lasted just 38 minutes.

Both began cautiously, playing the ball deep and close to the glass walls. Jansher's backhand crosscourt sent Martin the wrong way and he was off the mark.

The rallies were long. After four minutes it was 2-2 as Jansher found the nick with a forehand volley. He went from 3-3 to 8-3 in one hand, a couple of strokes helping en route.

Martin sliced a backhand crosscourt into the nick and that really was the only latitude Jansher allowed him. The world No 1 won the next seven points, the last three courtesy Martin 15-4 to Jansher in just 13 minutes.

Jansher raced to 4-0 in the second game. Martin wasn't able to control proceedings as he likes to do from the center of the court. Jansher's retrieving had the packed house at the Bavtree Centre enraptured.

This was Jansher at this best, keeping the opponent back and moving him around. Jansher got to 7-2 with a glorious backhand crosscourt volley, lie tried a boast for variety and it had Martin stranded.

The Aussie tried his luck at 10-4, saw Jansher stroll back almost leisurely and flick the ball back off the glass wall.

Jansher returned the compliment and a loose return by Martin off the backwall was thumped into the nick to make it 13-5. He then wrong-footed the Aussie, the backhand crosscourt disappearing into the deep to give him the game at 15-6.

The seventh successive victory in this event was only minutes away. Jansher waltzed around the court and was volleying quite beautifully.

Martin wasn't done for yet. Three winners, the last one a superb backhand crosscourt, sliced into the nick, made the score 9-14. Jansher went down the line on the forehand with a service return and all that Martin could do was put the ball into the tin.

There was some joy for the Martin family though, when Michelle won the ladies final, beating England's Sue Wright 15-13. 17-16, 15-10 in 42 minutes.

And so, Jansher goes back with the trophy he's made his private property. As for Michelle Martin, it was a case of third time lucky.

Four Indians in second round

BY RAJU CHAINANI
Mid-Day: 17-08-1992

HONG KONG, August 17 (UNI) FOUR OF the five Indians marched into the second round of the Fuji Film World Junior Squash Championships yesterday with Paul Ferreira carrying out his victory in style.

Ferreira prevailed over Ireland's top seed Barry Hession, 10-9, 9-1, 9-2. He saved a gamepoint and gradually wore down his left-handed rival.

It was a field day for the Indians with the only disappointment coming from Ben Ari Elias who went down against German Markus Koppitz.

Rishad Pandole beat Jerome Goudio of Hong Kong 9-1, 9-0, 9-5 in just 16 minutes he now meets Pakistan junior champion, Mohammed Sadiq. Rishad Billimona scored and equally emphatic win as he trounced local player Wo Wong, 9-5,9-3,9-1.

The other Indian victory came from Vineet Asthana who beat a British player in four games.

Today, the Indians have much tougher opposition in the second round. Billimoria mets the fourth-seeded Australian, Joseph Kneipp, Ferreira is drawn against Edgar Schneider

Joshi to meet Ezra in semis

By Raju Chainani
Mid-day 19-12-1992

TOP-SEEDED Adrian Ezra will meet Akshay Joshi whilst Arjan Singh takes on Ravinder Malik in the semi-finals of the Indian Bank National Squash Championships. It took 106 minutes of fairly ordinary squash to decide the last four and reiterated the significance of the missing top Bombay juniors.

Ezra was first on court tonight. He took 23 minutes over beating I S Bains, 9-0, 9-4, 9-0. The defending champion was too quick for his opponent. What was noticeable was that he was not happy with his length.

There was much expected of the Ravinder Malik and Narjit Singh encounter. They have had some protracted battles in the past and tonight, it was felt that there would be some fireworks. Instead Malik won 9-4, 9-2, 9-2 in just 25 minutes.

Arjan Singh beat Rajdeep Brar 9-1, 9-4, 9-7 in the last match on the championships court.

Misha Grewal, the top seed in the ladies event, is through to her second national final. She easily beat Bangalore's Vasumati Srinivasan 9-0,9-3, 9-0.

Local girl Srividya Palaniswamy had a convincing 9-1, 9-0, 9-7 win over the fancied Sumangali Krishnan (Bombay).

  Squash's merry men

[By RAJU CHAINANI]
Mid-day 19-7-1992

ANIL NAYAR, Darius Pandole, Farokh Pandole and Adrian Ezra. Four of a kind. Ivy League, brilliant squash players, soft-spoken and well respected. There was plenty of gold and glory lor them whilst in India. The trails-Atlantic journey to Harvard University was to reap in even more laurels. Nayar began the trend, way back in the late sixties. The Pandole brothers. Farokh and Darius have come through with flying colours. Today, Adrian Ezra is carrying on in very much the same vein.

Squash to them is a way of life. They have given much joy to the audiences. When Anil Nayar joined Harvard almost twenty-five years ago. he was India's national champion. He had also won the Drysdale Cup. the symbol of supremacy in world junior squash. In the land of opportunity, he was to become one of the greats. Nayar won the Inter-Collegiate three times, the US Nationals and Canadian Amateur twice, and the Mexican Open once.

We only played hardball in those days. It was strictly on an amateur basis because during college days-you were not allowed in prize money events. I did later play in the North American Open and made the quarter-finals on three occasions. Hashim, Moibullah Senior and Sharif were dominating this event during that time, he remarked.

In his heyday, Anil Nayar was regarded as one of the quickest movers on court in the world. His strokeplay had an arrogant air about it. He was the Qamar Zaman of Indian squash. Today, Nayar is New York-based and still competes in the over-40, events. And he still wins major events in this age group, like the US Nationals. Also His record of eight All-India titles still stands.

Durius Pandole and his younger brother, Farokh, followed Nayar almost two decades later. There was plenty of squash blood in their family. Father Dinshaw Pandole, was a superb player and ranked amongst the top Indians during the Anil Nayar era. Darius won the National junior title in Jaipur in 1981, beating Meherwan Daruvala. He had a splendid array of strokes and it was no surprise to see him do well at Harvard. He won the US Softball Nationals in 1986.

Darius was equally adept at the American game and won the four major invitation events — the late Invitation, the Gold Racket, the William White Invitation and the Harry Cowles. It earned him a number one ranking in 1987, a splendid achievement. To be ranked as the top US amateur in softball in 1986, and then at hardball a year later, speaks for itself.

Farokh Pandole loves to wallop the ball. "The Thunderman" is 23 years old, three years younger to Darius. His six foot plus frame has enormous power. This year, Farokh won the All-American Status, an elite award in sport. He was just about to graduate and it is perhaps fitting that this fine player got his due recognition. Farokh had also won the Holt Bollington Invitational in 1990 and has been part of the Harvard team for the last four years.

The stage had been set for Adrian Fzra Three superb stroke players had preceded him and had done very well for themselves. With two National titles under his belt, Adrian had already became the youngest ever Indian to win this event, eclipsing a 23-year record established by Nayar in 1965.

Harvard saw him win the intercollegiate at both, hardball and soft-ball in 1991. The Boston Eye Opener, the Holt Bollington and the Yale Invitation were other successes in the 1991 season. Last year, Harvard's team was considered to be the best ever that had participated in the inter-collegiate. They didn't drop a match and both Adrian and Farokh were part of the winning squad. Now, Adrian remains to carry the torch.

They have together been four of India's best players. Anil Nayar set the ball rolling and the glory days have continued with the performances of Darius, Farokh and Adrian. It was a rare sight to see them together at the CCI this week. This was where it all began many moons ago. The four of them, still in great shape. The racket had done the talking. On the table outside, there was a leather-bound book. Its title spoke for itself. "What they don't teach you at Harvard Business School."

Baptism by fire!

BY RAJU CHAINANI
Mid-Day: 15-08-1992

HONG KONG, August 15 THERE WAS plenty of colour and culture as Governor Chris Pallen officially declared open the Fuji Film World Junior Squash Championships at the Hong Kong Squash Centre this afternoon.

Tomorrow it is all down to business as 64 first round matches get underway in the individual event.

For the Indians it is going to be a baptism by fire. Vineet Asthana plays Jago Nardell (England) Rishad Pandole plays Jerome Goulde (Hong Kong), Rishad Billimoria meets another local W C Wong, Paul Ferreira has to contend with Barry Hession (Ireland and Ben Ari Elias is up against Markus Koppitz (Germany)

The pundits predict an Aussie victory based on their impressive showing at the warm-up event at the Hong Kong Sports Institute.

The Indians have done quite well so far. They impressed the Malaysian national coach Major Maniam, in their warm-up game in Kuala Lumpur. 

They lost 2-3 to the Malaysians who are seeded seventh here. Paul Ferreira, Rishad Pandole, Rishad Billimoria, Vineet Asihana and Ben Ari Elias got through to the second round and later made the fourth of the Plate event.

Press Report of Raju Chainani (1990)

• 06-11-1990 : All agog for a squash spectacular
• 06-09-1990 : The Pathan fights back (Mid-day)
• 20-08-1990 : Malik out, Daruvala faces Habib (Mid-day)
• 24-01-1990 : Easy day for Indian teams (Independent) By Raju Chainani 

All agog for a squash spectacular

6/11/1990

COLD gray  morning with outside temperatures of 5C made it a rather chilly welcome at the Palais DC Sport 'A' Toulouse with the World Squash championships commence tomorrow. The finishing touches were being applied at the venue which will have the all glass court on center stage and a spectator capacity in excess of 3,000. There's US $100,000 at stake with a winner's purse of US $20,000. Even the first round losers take home US $1000 each, so everyone in the 32 man field has a share of the action.

The drama over the past two days surrounded Chris Dittmar. Apparently, his valid French visa was stamped in his old passport, and it took some eleventh hour maneuvering to ensure that the three times finalist makes it to Toulouse. The very mention of the venue makes Ross Norman the topic of conversation.

The Kiwi is now 31 and has taken out a pilot's license. He expects to hang up his boots soon, and what better way to bid advice than to do it at the very venue where in 1986 he toppled Jahangir. Norman faces the world junior champion Simon Parke in an awkward first round encounter and then could find Rodney Martin too hot to handle. That's all happening in the bottom half of the draw and if things go according to the form book, Jansher takes on Rodney Martin in the quarters, then meets Chris Robertson in the semis, and forces another challenge from Chris Dittmar to determine who's the world champion.

Three Kangaroos stand in his way, all very fine players. It's Rodney Martin's genius which has caused Jansher the most problems. Rodney appeared very released today. His girlfriend Danielle Drady is here too so there's a varied amount of beauty in the surroundings.

The Aussies have arrived early to get used to the climate conditions and the court. Jansher comes in tomorrow from London and in the first couple of rounds he really has some fairly ordinary competition. He comes on stage on Wednesday evening at 10 pm in the last match of the opening round. He and indeed many others would have improved their French by the end of the week! We' know by then how the Khan came to win at Toulouse.

The Pathan fights back

By RAJU CHAINANI 
Mid-day: 06-09-1990

A wounded Pathan is tike a cat on a hut tin roof Mir Zaman Gul his pride dented by two first rounds defeats on the circuit had a point to prove last night. Twelve winners flowed from his racket in the first game. The backhand worked beautifully. Be it the drop or the boast or that delightful down the line drive he plays with such arrogance. The world number eight can do very little wrong. A game up after 13 minutes promised much more to come. Instead we saw Mark Cairns keep the ball hack, unsettle Gul and level scores.

Then came an unbelievable period, Mir Zaman led 3-2, had two penalty points awarded against him, made six unforced errors and saw. Cairns hit four winners.

In one service hand, a 3-2 lead had changed to a 3-14 deficit. Mir Zaman looked dead and gone.

Though Cairns led 3-0 in the fourth game, it was becoming increasingly obvious that he was mentally shattered. From 3-4 down. Mir Zaman strolled to a 13-4 lead and polished off matters at 15-5. It had taken him fifty-nine minutes to avenge his defeat in Malaysia. 1540. 8-15, 15-14. 15-5 would have been music to his ears.

Easy day for Indian teams

By Raju Chainani                                                      Independent 24-1-1990

THE TEAM events of the Wills fifth Asian Squash championships came under starters orders Tuesday morning. It was a nice and easy beginning for our boys who swamped Sri Lanka 3-0, dropping just fourteen points in their three matches. The favourites, Pakistan did even better as their-opponents, Bangladesh could muster up just nine points between their players. Hong Kong's Patrick Coll was taken to four games by Nidal Gart (Jordan) and his colleague Jackie Choi had a similar experience with Yazeed Adas. It didn't stop Hong Kong winning 3-0. Singapore had no problems with Macau and took just over an hour to wrap up their encounter.

The Indian ladies strolled past Jordan with Bhuvaneshwari Kumari winning 9-0, 9-0, 9-0 against Tagreed Akasha. The Jordanian girl is a qualified pilot in their national airline. Lata Talwar had a close first game with Suheer Kaheb but Honey Sherman dropped just two points to 1 Leema Shankelte. The Indians have favourites Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Sri lanka to contend with. They should beat the Lankans but the other three are going to be very tough customers.

In the afternoon, the Malaysian girls played. Sri Lanka. Nilufer Philip Apasa-kumar, the number one Lankan girl accidently fell on court and dislocated her left shoulder. It took almost an hour for the doctor to arrive which is most concerning taking into account that a major event is being conducted here. That Malaysia were far too good is a different matter.

The shirts made specially for this event have at last been given to the teams. The Indians meanwhile are hiding their disappointment and are being good hosts. They are still awaiting the kit given by proline. Even the Puma track-suits meant for the officials are still in safe keeping. The fact of the matter is that we are into the fifth day of this tournament and as yet nobody has been seen wearing the shirts that were specially made for the event. There's no getting away from this as indeed it is sad that some of the boys are yet to be compensated for their travelling expenses.

Such a big tournament, such a marvellous atmosphere and like-it-or-not, more than one instance of a one-arm bandit show. K J Vohra plays a major role in deciding who referees the matches. Vohra gets a couple of plum matches for himself, including the men's final. You be the judge. The evening session saw the lesser knowns get thrashed again. The Indian men had no problems with Macau whilst Malaysia and Pakistan also won quite easily.

Malik out, Daruvala faces Habib

By RAJU CHAINANI
Mid-day 20-8-1990

SINGAPORE, Twenty -year-old Dominic Preece, trying in his first international event, easily beat Indian Ravinder Malik in the qualifying round of the 21st Singapore Open Preece is about to take up a coaching assignment in Abu Dhabi. He has never been ranked in either the juniors or seniors in England where he has played his squash in Plymouth.

He won 15-11, 11-15, 15-4, 15-4 in just forty-four minutes. Malik as usual started slowly and in the third and fourth games was no match for his opponent, conceding a number of unforced errors.

Earlier Meherwan Daruvala earned a crack at Pakistan's Tayyab Habib when his opponent failed to, show up. Meherwan is going to have his hands full this morning when he takes the court at 10 am. Habib has steadily come up in the world rankings.

In the last fortnight he lost to Chris Dittmar in the last 16 round of the Australian Open and a few days ago found Jansher too hot in the opening round of the New Zealand Open. Ghous U R Rahman lost the first game to Malaysia's Chris Chan before pulling up his socks against a rather unfit opponent. He now takes on Colin Payne for a place in the main draw.

Being a member of the International Squash Players' Association (ISPA) or its ladies wing, WISPA certainly has its advantages Ghous U R Rehman has only joined and finds himself ranked at 222. The Asian ladies champion has still to join up. As a result she has had to come through the pre-qualifying rounds.

At Calcutta, Mah Li Lian ran through the opposition. Here she finds Dawn Olsen, whom she beat in the Asian final, a direct entry whereas she has to come through at least five matches before she makes the main event. Right now she has safely negotiated the pre-qualifying matches and along with Josephine Choo has come into the qualifying round.

So far no mortal has beaten Jahangir and Jansher, both, in any tournament. The results of the Australian and New Zealand Opens have shown that these two superstars are human beings after all. Jansher was quick to avenge a defeat at the hands of Rodney Martin. The decline of Dittmar has resulted in both Martin and Chris Robertson taking over and keeping up a strong Aussie challenge.

Sadly both Robertson and Jahangir are not competing here. Since 1985, when the West Coast Recreation Centre was built, the Singapore Open has been held at this splendid complex.

The three-glass-wall court, with a creating capacity of 800 has seen some memorable finals. Jansher in fact has been in the winners' enclosure for the past four years. Qamar Zaman in 1986, Dittmar in '87 and '89, and Jahangir in 1988 have found themselves at the receiving end of the current world champion. He along with the top Australians arrived last night and from today the fireworks begin.

A word must be said for Perla Monapole. Many in India will remember her and today at the sprightly age of 50, she came very close to making it to the ladies qualifying round. Perla has been the only Indian lady in contemporary squash to give our thirteen times champion. Bhuvaneshwari Kumari a run for her money. Anyone who saw her play here will appreciate why this fine exponent of the game has been a popular figure on the Indian circuit in the past.