CHENNAI: Before the WSF World Junior Squash Championships began here, national coach Cyrus Poncha had said a top-16 finish in the individual category and and a top 8 finish in team event is the best that India could hope for. However, all the Indians in fray in the individual category crashed out in the Round of 32 on Thursday.
While the performance was below par, Poncha said this experience would help them when they prepare for next World Juniors. “What they have achieved is not extraordinary. But they are all 15 and 16 and can play the same tournament again. However, Velavan Senthilkumar, who reached the quarterfinals last year, was 18 at that time and had played a lot of PSA tournaments. That experience helped him and the current batch will be the top players next time they play,” he said.
With many kids looking at squash as a pathway to go abroad for academics, the chances of the next generation of Indians achieving the heights of Joshna Chinappa and Dipika Pallikal Karthik looks less likely. However, Ashita Bhengra, who is India’s senior most player here is optimistic. “Of course, we have to consider our future and studying abroad also helps us practice at the best of facilities. But these kids are young and have time. I’m sure this experience will benefit them in the next World Juniors,” Ashita said.
Selected Results: Day 2: James Wyatt (ENG) bt Yash Fadte (IND) 11-8, 11-6, 5-11, 11-9; Mostafa Asal (EGY) bt Veer Chotrani (IND) 11-9, 11-8, 11-6; Rowan Reda Araby (EGY) bt Ashita Bhengra (IND) 11-4, 11-8, 11-2; Ingy Hammouda (EGY) bt Sanya Vats (IND) 11-7, 8-11, 11-4, 11-9; Hania El Hammamy (EGY) bt Aishwarya Khubchandani (IND) 11-6, 11-5, 11-9.