The outlook has changed

SQUASH HAS come some way in Asia. The sport itself has evolved from a club preserve at one time to earn a competitive element now. It was a discipline at the last Asian Games in Bangkok. It is accepted in the Commonwealth Games and what remains is its inclusion in the Olympic Games, which may not be far. And when that comes about, Asian challenge may not lag behind. The continent has produced a series of world champions, thanks to Pakistan, and also has a fund of talent reserves in the top bracket. Besides the junior level looks rosy.

Interestingly over three decades ago, India was looked upon as a leader in the sport. Talented Anil Nayar was one of the earliest to make a mark at the international level when he captured the British Under-19 title. Grabbing honours in the land which gave the world the sport of squash was a significant development.

Then for a long time Pakistan has been ruling the roost, taking it to dizzy heights. The pathans made squash a family tradition, so to say for each generation brought forth a world champion. What is heartening today is the improvement that countries like Malaysia and Hong Kong have shown, according to Maj. (retd) S. Maniam, Director (Coaching), Asian Squash Federation.

Maj. Maniam, who also heads the Coaching wing of the Squash Rackets Association of Malaysia, is known for the thrust he was able to give to the development of squash in his country. The structured system of development, which he had drafted for implementation has the support of the government and sponsors. Under the pyramid structure of the programme, the game is sought to be elevated from the grassroots with administrative and infrastructural backing at every level. What this ensured was a continuity in the training programme, raising the awareness at the same time and standards of the game that could produce results over a period of time. ``It is a programme requiring $500,000 investment every year in Malaysia.

The Government bears half the cost and sponsors the rest. Our aim is to see that by 2005, Malaysia is among the top four nations in the sport at all levels and in every arena'', said Maj. Maniam with a twinkle in his eyes, adding that this programme could be implemented in other countries too.

What has encouraged him to be an optimist has been the developments in recent times. ``Once squash in Asia was synonymous with Pakistan's achievements.

In 1998, Malaysia's Ong Beng Hee became the world junior champion, last year at the junior world championship in Italy, Malaysia's Nicol David was the junior girls champion and, Mohd. Azlan Iskandar, who has been crowned Asian junior champion, was a quarterfinalist, events that reflect the changing equations in Asia.

Further the Malaysian team finished sixth as against Pakistan's third position in Italy but in terms of PSA ranking, Malaysia today has the highest ranked player in Ong Beng Hee (14th). There are ten players from Malaysia including three women active in the professional circuit'', Maj. Maniam said.

The ASF Coaching Director said Pakistan had the depth of talent but if even that country has realised the importance of junior development programme and sought his advice for planned implementation then it should give an idea about the changing scenario. With 26 member countries in Asia, squash should reasonably have had a strong base in the continent but as Maj. Maniam was to point out, not all countries had adequate governmental or sponsor support for the game's development.

As ASF's key man, he has been doing his bit to spread the message of structured training programme or systematic coaching and it was his belief that in the coming years Sri Lanka, Korea, Chinese Taipei, China, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait would strengthen claims for recognition.

Incidentally, Kuwait was the surprise package at the Chennai edition of the Asian junior championship, when it got past Hong Kong and India to grab a bronze medal in the boys section.

The brightest thing to happen in Indian Squash is the ICL academy in Chennai. He felt this will have a salutory effect in the standards of the game in the country.

A badminton player initially who switched to squash after entering the Army, Maj. Maniam was for many years Malaysia's national champion. But even he admits that today squash, that four-in-one sport, as he calls it for its stress on fitness, psychology, tactics and technique, is a different ball game. From the rugged settings of Peshawar from where world champions in Pakistan rose to the ultra modern rainbow courts in metropolises, the ambience has changed as has the outlook of players.

Scientific training and systematic approach have given squash a new garb from being a sport for business heads and executives to remain trim, to a ballet like art. The breathtaking movements for executing the drops or the unbelievable reflexes to reach the ball form the high points of modern squash and a veritable feast to the eyes.

Maj. Maniam believes that the future of squash was bright not only because Asian standards were looking up but modern equipment (graphite rackets), facilities (all round glass walls) and white balls have lent an edge to the game becoming spectator-friendly and television-friendly. These in turn should attract more sponsors. Nonetheless what would thrill the AFC official more is the day when Asian countries will stand level with England, Australia, Canada, Egypt, etc., some of the big names in the game.

S. R. SURYANARAYAN

Chennai

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