Saurav Ghosal Economic Times interview

ET:How did you feel on winning the bronze at Doha?
Saurav:To win a medal in any of the multinational, multievent games is an achievement. But more than that, I am happy to be the first Indian to win a Squash medal in the Asian Games.

How confident were you on winning a medal before the Games?
Well, I always wanted to win the Gold. I still believe that I have in me the capability to win the Gold.

Then, what went wrong?
Nothing really. The quarterfinal against my teammate Ritwik Bhatacharya was a close encounter. After that, I was sure of my medal. But against Malaysian Ong Beng Hee, the eventual winner, the better player won. Though I played well, he was stronger on that day. So, looking back, I guess nothing really wrong. I am ready to take all the positives from the games’ experience.

And what are the positives
Well, at the end of this year, I have moved up to the rank of 49 in the PSA (Professional Squash Association). This means that I gain direct entry to some of the major events. Breaking into the top 50 is one of the positives that has emerged. With the cash incentives given to me (The Tamil Nadu Government has given him Rs10 Lakhs and the ICL Squash Academy celebrated his achievement by rewarding him with Rs 2.5 lakhs) I can train better

Sportstar: Saurav getting better

The National champion and former World junior No. 1, Saurav Ghosal, won the first Asian Games medal, a bronze, for India in squash. The 20-year-old student of Leeds University, trained by coach Malcolm Willstrop, bounced back from a demoralising start in the semi-finals to tease the Malaysian, Ong Beng Hee, before bowing out in four games.

Saurav Ghosal felicitated by SRFI

Sourav Ghosal, the first Indian to win a bronze medal for squash in the recently held Asian Games at Doha, aims to better his performance by picking a gold in the next Asiad and the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi.

Speaking after his felicitation by the Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI) here Thursday, Ghosal said: ‘My next goal is to win a gold for my country in the next Asiad and the coming Commonwealth Games. I hope to work hard in the next two years and improve my ranking, so as to be among the top 30 players in the world.’

The player is currently ranked 49th in the world rankings. Member secretary, Sports Development Authority of the Tamil Nadu government, Apoorva handed a cheque for Rs.250,000 lakh to Ghosal on behalf of the federation. Ghosal was Tuesday honoured by the state government with Chief Minister M. Karunanidhi presenting him a cheque for Rs. 1 million (Rs. 1,000,000).

‘I am enjoying my stay in England and my university is very supportive,’ Ghosal said, adding that more and more Indian youngsters needed to take up squash. ‘We will then get many more champs and win many more squash medals,’ he said.

Said Squash Rackets Federation of India consultant Major (Retd) S. Maniam, who coached Ghosal: ‘Saurav has had a remarkable career this far with a string of international titles and numerous awards. Having worked closely with him before, I certainly believe he has it in him to be a top 10 squash player in the near future.’

National squash coach Cyrus Poncha said: ‘When Saurav and his family moved to live here, they exhibited their commitment to squash and placed their faith in us at the ICL Squash Academy. Today we reap its reward.’

Hamdard Delton squash championships

Hamdard Delton All India Junior squash championships will be held in Delhi from 25th – 28th Jan 2007. Please click here for the entry form

World Squash Awards 2006

PSA Male player of the year: Amr Shabana
WISPA Female player of the year: Nicol David
PSA Young player of the year: Ramy Ashour
WISPA Young player of the year: Tenille Swartz
WISPA Most improved player: Nicolette Fernandes
Lifetime Achievement Award: Jonah Barrington