Ghosal aims top-20 rank to brighten CWG medal chances

New Delhi: India’s top squash player Saurav Ghosal is aiming to break into the top 20 rankings in the world before the Commonwealth Games next year which he said would brighten his chances of winning a medal in the sporting extravaganza at home.

“The Commonwealth Games is very important for me and I am doing everything I can to break into the top 20 before the event starts,” Ghosal told reporters. “Being top 20 in the world would give me a better draw and that would considerably help my chances of winning a medal for India,” he said. World number 32 Ghosal, however, is aware that the journey to fulfill his dreams would not be easy and he has to perform consistently at the professional circuit. “I have to continue to do well in the PSA circuit and am working hard both on and off the court to improve my game. I want to win a medal in the Commonwealth Games. It will be a brilliant achievement if I win a medal as the draw is going to be very tough.”“Winning a medal is not going to be easy but I will do everything to win one. It’s not out of my reach,” Ghosal explained. Ghosal is unhappy that the Indian players might not get enough practice on the squash courts to be used for the Games as the work is still underway at the venue. “I doubt if we will be able to play a great deal on the courts in Delhi before the Games because they are not ready yet. So, that’s not ideal,” Ghosal said.“But I think at the end of the day it is the job of the organising committee to get the venues completed in time and I’m sure they will get the job done eventually. My job is to train hard and play well so that I win a medal,” said Ghosal, who will be next seen in action in the Kuwait Open starting from November 1. Ghosal, who had recently clinched the Maharashtra Open men’s title, said his game has improved a great deal in the last two years and he feels like a more complete player. “My game has improved a lot over the last two years and I feel like I’m a more complete player now. I have added a lot more variety and am now capable of playing different types of games depending on who I play.” “However, the learning never stops and I am learning every day and constantly adding new things to my game. I’m also physically much stronger now which helps me compete against the top players,” he said exuding confidence. Ghosal will participate in the men’s singles, men’s doubles and mixed doubles category in the 2010 Commonwealth Games here. Bureau Report