Indian squash needs more government funding: Ghosal

Jaipur: India`s highest world-ranked player Saurav Ghosal feels that the Indian squash has the potential to make it big at the international level but needs increased government funding and support.

"It is my suggestion the government should shortlist potential players and hand them funds right on January one each year, so that they can plan in advance which tournaments to play and where to join the coaching. It would make things a lot easier for us. If the government wants, it can also set targets for players and their performances and the experts can review it," Ghosal told PTI here. World ranked 20 Ghosal said the government grant for squash players was more of a reimbursement which required a lot of formalities. "It is the SRFI which helps us getting grants from the government but it is too difficult for players to fill in all kinds of reports and prepare budgets. Moreover, it`s like reimbursement so only those who are well off can spend in advance and wait for reimbursements. There are too much of formalities," said Ghosal, who is here to participate in the Senior National Squash championship at the Jaipur Club Courts. The 27-year-old UK-based rose to a career-high 18th in February this year, largely due to his eighth title success in the Indian National Championships in December and a pre-quarterfinal appearance in the PSA World Championship in Qatar. Ghosal said he wants to beat some of the top players on the PSA tour but acknowledges that it`s easier said than done. "I am the highest ranked Indian player ever. Ritwik had reached 38th in world rankings. We too yearn to reach the top but we need to break the barrier and sustain the level of high standards. The top guys don`t give you a chance. It`s only if you start beating them there`s an element of doubt in their minds when they play you. Only then you can keep it tight and can expect mistakes from them which can give you a chance to win," he said. Ghosal credited former World No.1 James Willstrop`s father and coach Malcolm for turning him into a better player. "Malcolm has made me the professional player I am today. We have been working towards it for the past eight years and I wouldn`t be here at this stage without him," he said. Ghosal believes the emergence of a young crop of players augurs well for India`s future in squash. "The Indian squash has the potential to make a big leap in the world squash. The likes of Harinder Pal Sandhu, Mahesh Mangaonkar and Ramit Tondon can make it big but there has to more money in squash and there should be a sports system in place," he said. PTI