Ghosal calls for support

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Saurav Ghosal

India’s top squash player Saurav Ghosal has called for increased government funding and support to help the players make the country a force to be reckoned with in the world.

“It is my suggestion the government should shortlist potential players and hand them funds right on January 1 each year, so that they can plan in advance which tournaments to play and where to join the coaching,” Ghosal was quoted as saying on Wednesday.
“It would make things a lot easier for us. If the government wants, it can also set targets for players and their performances and the experts can review it.”
The world no. 20 said the government grant for squash players currently was more of a reimbursement with a lot of formalities.
“It is the Squash Racquets Federation of India which helps us getting grants from the government but it is too difficult for players to fill in all kinds of reports and prepare budgets.
“Moreover, it’s like reimbursement so only those who are well off can spend in advance and wait for reimbursements. There are too much of formalities,” said the UK-based Ghosal, who is in Jaipur to participate in the senior national championship.
Ghosal, who rose to a career-best ranking of 18 in February this year, said he wants to beat some of the top players on the PSA tour but agreed that it was easier said than done.
“I am the highest ranked Indian player ever. Ritwik (Bhattacharya) had reached 38th in world rankings. We too yearn to reach the top but we need to break the barrier and sustain the level of high standards.
“It’s only if you start beating them there’s an element of doubt in their minds when they play you. Only then you can keep it tight and can expect mistakes from them which can give you a chance to win,” he said.
Ghosal, who is coached by former world no. 1 James Willstrop’s father Malcolm, credited the Englishman for turning him into a better player.
“Malcolm has made me the professional player I am today. We have been working towards it for the past eight years and I wouldn’t be here at this stage without him.” Ghosal believes the emergence of a young crop of players augurs well for India’s future in squash.
“Indian squash has the potential to make a big leap in the world squash but there has to more money in squash and there should be a sports system in place,” he said.