Date:02/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/02/stories/2008110261051800.htm

Sport - Squash

PSA Indian Challenger from tomorrow

CHENNAI: Amidst the ongoing National sub-junior and junior squash championships, the SRFI will host a $15,000 PSA Indian Challenger, the first in a proposed series of international tournaments supported by the Union Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sport under the scheme for preparation of Indian teams for the 2010 Commonwealth Games.

The event will be held from November 3 to 8. Expectedly, all eyes will be on National champion Saurav Ghosal, ranked 39 in the world and as the highest-ranked among the entrants, he will be the top seed.

Ritwik Bhattacharya, ranked 57, is seeded two.

The 16-player main draw has entrants from Austria, Hong Kong, Malaysia and England. The other Indians in the fray are Siddharth Suchde, Gaurav Nandrajog and Harinderpal Singh (wild card). Four slots will be filled via the qualifying rounds.

Srivatsan Subramaniam, the new Secretary General of SRFI, has thanked the Union Government for the support as it will be a big boost for Indian squash with the Commonwealth Games in view.

The qualifying phase will also feature overseas players from Kuwait, Egypt, Iran and Jordan. Among the Indians in this phase are Naresh Kumar, Vikas Jangra, Sandeep Jangra, A. Parthiban and B. Balamurugan. — Special Correspondent