'Make nationals lucrative'

The 54th National Squash Championships will begin in the Capital from Wednesday but the players are far from being happy writes, Uthra Ganesan.

The 54th National Squash Championships will begin in the Capital from Wednesday, with the biggest names in Indian squash contesting for the title.

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But that is the only good thing about the event as the prize money of Rs 40,000 for the men’s winner is far from attractive, and things get worse for the women - their top purse happens to be just Rs 15,000!

"I am disappointed,” admitted Ritwik Bhattacharya, the current national number one and world number 41. "It is the most prestigious event in the country, so they should either make it totally money-free or take the lead in prize money. The Jaipur Open (after this) will have a winner’s purse of Rs 75,000.”

But money’s not the only grudge. Though he won’t say so himself, it is strange that for someone considered a trailblazer in Indian squash, he is still without any government support.

"I applied for talent scholarship for about two years but I am yet to get it,” he said, adding that after almost five years on the pro circuit, he continues to invest back into his training.

Bhattacharya is the third-highest ranked Indian in any racquet sport today. Though he refuses to state it, he knows that playing the nationals is the only way to ‘register’ his achievements. "It is because of the prestige associated with the nationals,” he insists.

"We are good friends, but yeah, I hope to settle scores for that defeat this
time around,” Bhattacharya said.'

Bhattacharya said he wasn’t really in top physical condition but hoped to get better. "It is competitive, professional sport and there is no excuse for taking part and then not doing your best,” he said.

A full draw of 128 has been made for the men’s event while it is a draw of 32 for the women.

In the women’s section, Joshna Chinappa will be the firm favourite for the title.