Squash gets priority status: Federation elated

Chennai, May 10 (UNI) The Ministry for Sports and Youth Affairs has recognised squash as one of the priority sports in the country, thanks to the commendable performance of Indian players in international events.

Announcing this here, Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI) Secretary General N Ramachandran said the recognition, which comes in the wake of India winning its first medal in the 2006 Asian Games in Doha, means more funding from the government and opportunities for the Federation to improve the infrastructural facilites of the state associations.

''It is truly fabulous that Indian squash is getting the much deserved recognition,'' he observed.

Mr Ramachandran said the Federation was keen to harness the talent of the junior players by giving them exposure in all international tournaments.

Welcoming the recognition, national coach Cyrus Poncha said it would also serve as motivation for all the aspiring squash players and ''better scope for sincere participation to bring squash to the forefront of Indian sports.'' Mr Ramachandran also pointed out that there has been a steep rise in the participation of women players in squash, among whom the talented ones were junior players like Dipika Pallikal, Anwesha Reddy, Aparajitha, Anaka, Saumya Karki, Shria Khatri, Anaka Alarkamony and Haritha Omprakash. Anaka and Saumya were semi finalists in the British Open last year.

''There used to be days when matches were cancelled for non participation of women. But the situation is improving now with new possibilities in the current women's junior team'', Mr Poncha explained.

UNI