'It was a tough field, and I was nervous going in.' 'But once I stepped onto the court, I focused only on giving my best.'
The Mission Olympic Cell is also considering higher incentives for retired Olympians and world-class players who want to take up coaching, in an effort to retain top talent within India.
Will continue to play for India in multi disciplinary events
India pulled out of the Women's World Team Squash Championship scheduled to be held in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from December 15 to 20 due to "lack of preparation time" and "uncertainties" about travelling amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
14-year-old Anahat Singh was on Tuesday included in India's squash squad for the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, starting on July 28.
Saurav Ghosal created history on Wednesday as he won India's first-ever singles medal in squash at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Dipika Pallikal's exclusion from the Indian team for Asian Squash Championships may have kicked up a storm, but national coach Cyrus Poncha said the British Junior Open champion has only herself to blame for the omission by refusing to attend a mandatory trial camp.
Ghosal qualified in the first round when he defeated David Barnett of England 11-8, 11-8, 11-8.
He defeated Wai Hang Wong of Hong Kong 11-3, 11-2, 11-3 in Chennai on Saturday.
It turned out to be a dream tournament for India as the boys the medals, winning a gold, silver and bronze, in the U-19 category in the prestigious British Junior Open.
The legendary PT Usha will be officially elected as the first woman president of Indian Olympic Association (IOA) during the governing body's polls on Saturday, ushering in a new era in country's sports administration.
PT Usha set to get elected as IOA chief, first woman occupant of top job
Squash Racquet Federation of India (SRFI) secretary Cyrus Poncha said that he does not see any tournament being conducted before September.
Joshna Chinappa beat former world number one Nicol David 11-8, 11-8, 11-8 in the second round of the El Gouna International squash tournament in El Gouna (Egypt) for her first ever win over the legendary Malaysian.
Pallikal is aiming to create more history at the two multi-sporting events.
India were, on Friday, assured of three medals in squash competition of the 18th Asian Games with Saurav Ghosal, Joshna Chinappa and Dipika Pallikal Karthik advancing to the semifinals of their respective singles events in Jakarta.
India's world No. 21 Dipika Pallikal beat the United States' Olivia Blatchford 13-11, 11-6, 11-9 in 35 minutes to enter the women's semi-finals in the San Francisco Open squash tournament, a PSA World Tour event.
The eight players picked for the Asian Games have been training without a full-time coach and most of them don't train regularly with Kumari and Poncha, who has been a longtime national coach.
Teen sensation Kush Kumar won India's first gold medal at the second Asian Youth Games after defeating Malaysia's Mohammad Syafiq Mohd Kamal in the men's singles squash competition, in Nanjing, China on Monday.
Senior players Dipika Pallikal and Joshna Chinappa lost their matches against Joey Chan and Annie Au, 1-3 and 0-3, respectively. Sunayna Kuruvilla, who is Pallikal's cousin, kept India in the hunt with a fighting win over Tze Lok Ho in the second singles.
Dipika Pallikal Karthik and Joshna Chinappa had to be content with bronze medals in women's singles after losing to their respective opponents in the semifinals of the 18th Asian Games, in Jakarta, on Saturday.
Also seen in action for India will be the shuttlers, boxers, the women's hockey team and the table tennis players among others.
Summary of sports events and persons who made news on Sunday
A summary of sports events and persons who made news on Tuesday
© 2026 Rediff.com - Investor Information - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances