Squash chief has an Olympic dream

By V. Balaji

Chennai

To help devise a path for squash to make the Olympics as a medal sport in 2012 will be the immediate and most important task ahead for the World Squash Federation said newly elected president of the WSF N. Ramachandran.

"It is important for the sport to be in the Olympics for the game to spread to wider horizons. As vice-president of the Indian Olympic Association and having interacted with the International Olympic Association previously I have a fair idea of what the expectations are and I am sure the WSF will be able to address them adequately. Entry to the Games will also help in bringing in more visibility and sponsors," said Ramachandran.

The administrator who was instrumental in starting the TNSRA in 1994 heads the world body now. Ramachandran who is also heading the Asian Squash Federation said he would quit the post when his tenure ends in January.

"I will be completing my second term there and it is time for someone else to take over. Technically I cannot be a part of the national federation as well and a new team will take over soon," said Ramachandran who has been elected on a two-year term to the world body.

The biggest challenge squash faces is to make the game more spectator-friendly. It has not been a success as a television sport mainly because of the speed of the ball and the path nearly being invisible. A few years ago there was an idea to bring in fluorescent balls to add to the appeal.

"Changes will be made as and when required. It is a slight disadvantage that the playing area is small and the ball travels at a great speed but the recently concluded World championship drew a decent TV audience. We are moving in the right direction," Ramachandran said.

The sprawling ICL Squash Academy in Chennai that boasts of a world class infrastructure is a tribute to Ramachandran’s single minded pursuit in placing player interest first. And as the president of the WSF he already has a road map in place. "It is important for the players to be secure. Only when there is enough money youngsters will pursue the game professionally. I have already had a meeting with officials from both WISPA and PSA and to offer increased prize money at all levels as one of the primary objectives."

With Indian players having reasonable success at the international level, Ramachandran notes the game is bound to grow in the country. "There is no doubt the game is making rapid progress. And I am sure the new team under Srivats Subramaniam (secretary general-designate, SRFI) will move in the right direction, I have utmost confidence in their abilities."

Ramachandran who is also head of marketing in the interim committee appointed by the Indian Hockey Federation thanked his well wishers and the media for playing their part in bringing him to the top post in the WSF. "It would have not been possible without the support from all and with the government grant for performers in the sport having increased I am sure the results will only get better," he said.

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Yannick, Rohan make round 2

New Delhi: Yannick Nelord and Rohan Gide kept the tri-colour flying in Islamabad ITF Future event as three other Indian players including second seed Sunil Kumar Sipaeya were shown the door in the first round.

Yannick pipped local hope Yasir Khan 6-4, 6-4 while Rohan came from behind to beat Peerakit Siributwong of Thailand 2-6, 6-4 6-4 in the first round of the $10,000 claycourt event. Sipaeya was ousted 0-6, 5-7 by Ukranian Gleb Alekseenko while Romanian top seed Bogdan-Victor Leonte outplayed Deepinder Bains 6-2, 6-0.

Rupesh Roy put up a good fight in the first set but then surrendered to Germany’s Patrick Taubert 5-7, 0-6. Local favourite Aqeel Khan also bit dust, losing his opening match to Slovakian Adrian Sikora 6-4, 1-6, 3-6. — PTI