Squash becomes the new rage in the metro
Call it the Joshna Chinappa influence or a genuine passion for the game, but squash is fast gaining the 'most-popular sport' tag. The new health-conscious generation believes squash improves physical well-being and mental alertness. Even builders have been affected by the craze for the game, as most customers insist on a squash court, and health clubs have become passé.
Many housing societies in the city have, in fact, built squash courts as value addition for the residents; visit Palm Court at Borivli and Chaitanya Tower in Worli. That's not all. There are four courts-three at Andheri Sports Club and one at Police Gymkhana, Marine Drive-where people can play for a nominal fee.
"We are ready to take all efforts to popularise the game. We have sponsors who are willing to build courts but we need land. We have imported squash racquets and are selling them at almost 50 per cent of the market rate," says Indian Squash Professionals president Ashish Garg.
Shweta Yadav and Pinky Soni have been regulars on the squash court since the age of 10 and 11, respectively, and play at tournaments. "We need to put in almost six hours every day but we enjoy it. With a fit body we can study better," says Pinky, who wants to be like Joshna. Some like Lakshman Joshi love the excitement of the game, but also find a job as "prize money is not sufficient to run the house. We need more sponsors and better recognition."
Even schools have set up squash courts to train children. Why this sudden craze for the game? Says Shweta Bapat, health zone manager at The Club, "Squash is the perfect way to keep fit. It needs loads of energy and quick reflexes to manage the game, otherwise one lands up with muscle injury. Also, since it is an indoor game, rain or shine, you can play on." For a city like Mumbai which dreads its 'floody' days, squash is the all-season fitness mantra. In fact, squash is part of the fitness regime for other games like cricket and football.
What makes it even more attractive is that it requires very little playing area: three squash courts can be built in the area required for one badminton court.
Says Pakistani player Khalid Atlas Khan, ranked 80 in the world circuit: "Squash means lots of energy, stamina and concentration and Indian players are showing this. People like Mahendra Agarwal are putting in a lot of effort to popularise the game. Today, many Indian players figure in the top ranks." Joshna has moved up to the top 10 while Ritwik Bhattacharya is currently 41 in the world.
Interest in the game is growing at such a fast pace that the available courts are not sufficient for the enthusiasts. "I wouldn't mind paying Rs 1,500 for a racquet but where do I go?" asks Neha Jalote. Lekha feels that it is a good, exhaustive activity and if she had a court in her society she would definitely play after work. "We are waiting for land from government. Once it is sanctioned, we will build a Mumbai Squash Academy," says Sanjay Goyal, secretary-general of ISP-an NGO that has been promoting the game in India, primarily in Mumbai, since the early 90s. The glamour quotient, too, may help create interest in the game. "We end the tournament with grand fashion shows," says Garg.
Until recently squash had a 'for the elite only' status. Now ISP is holding free coaching camps and conducting tournaments to take the game to the common man. It is also helping housing societies and clubs set up squash courts, says Garg.
ISP along with Squash Racquets Association of Maharashtra celebrated the 75th squash tournament in the last week of January; a milestone for the game in the country. The tournament, which had 18 categories, attracted top players from India and Pakistan.
Coach Sunil Verma of Jindal Squash Academy at Vashind near Mumbai says it is the middle-class that is now showing more interest and focus in squash. "Children from upper class families are more interested in computers and TV. Very few want to sweat it out on the courts," he says. "Till last year, all our 180 students were children of Jindal workers. We trained them and produced seeded players like Vikas Jhangra, Sandeep Jhangra, Rinky Soni, Ankita, Lakshman Joshi and Saumya Karky."
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