Racket Ball
(Article in Mid-Day, Mumbai : 9/9/1997)
THE inaugural Jindal Cup squash was a fun event. The
reason was two fold. One, the players could get away from the tensions and
pressures of the city and relax in the salubrious surroundings the Jindal
recreational complex which has a swimming pool besides two squash courts and
facilities for other sport. Two, the handicapping was great leveler.
Organized by the Indian Squash Professionals and
sponsored by Jindal Iron & Steel Co, the tournament had 10 teams in the fray
or a total of 60 players, while the handicap was a challenge to the
established players to provided the less endowed with hope.
Understandably, some players were sore that they had to
carry a heavy handicap but class and application in the end.
Otters Club ‘B’ tided over the defeats sustained by key
players Amit Pal Kohli and Gaurav Juneja in the first two matches of theirs
semifinals against Jindal ‘A’ and took the winner’s cheque for Rs.20,000 by
trouncing Navi Mumbai Sports Association in the final.
The object of providing an opportunity for all was
achieved with Navi Mumbai, represented by middle aged enthusiasts having a
passion for the sport but not skill in equal measure, reaching the final.
It was a great
achievement for Inder Pal Singh, Leon
Emmanuel, Hari Shenava, Sandeep Mirani, and Shyam Wadkar. All are over 30
and had begun playing squash primarily to shed excess kilos. They are now
hoping that feat will inspire youngsters in NMSA to take to the sport in
earnest.
BOTH teams from Otters Club, Bandra won their opening
matches of the Jindal Squash Cup at the Jindal Recreational Complex today.
While Otters A defeated Kamath Club 4-1 in Group A,
Otters B won 3-2 against Jindal B. Abhijit Kukreja of Otters A was taken to
three games by Rajesh (plus 12) while Santosh More lost to Sunil Bhandari
(plus 12).
One game down and Amit Pal Kohli of Otters B clinched
the decider with 17-14 against Deepak Yadav of Jindal B. Kohli’s teammate
Gaurav Juneja was beaten by Vijay Jhangra (plus 11) 17-14, 12-15, 11-15.
Otters A have seven points Jindal B’s five.
Otters’s club ‘B’ gave a near-impeccable display to win
the inaugural Jindal Squash Cup, a handicap team event at the Jindal
Recreational Complex here on Sunday.
In the final, the Otters ‘B’ string trounced the
surprise pocket of the tournament, Navi Mumbai Sports Association, 3-0, to
take home the champions’ purse of Rs.20,000. Navi Mumbai received Rs.15,000.
The Otters players made light of their heavy handicap
as they had age on their side. Thus Amit Pal Kohli who was more than 20
years younger than Inder Pal Singh. 41, conceded
Just three points in
three games even though he carried a handicap of 11 points in the first game
and 12 and 13 in the next two. He won 15-11, 15-14, 15-14, moving his
opponent all over the court and making capital use of the drop shot.
Gaurav Juneja another leading junior of the country,
adopted the same tactics and conceded just one point each game while
defeating Leon Emmanuel, 15-11, 15-12, 15-13.
Vijay Sonawane, who is 20 years old, however, had a
time in over-coming Sandeep Mirani, 17-15, 15-14, 17-16, and wrapping up
the title, the rivals being level at 14 in each game. Sonawane carried a
handicap of just one point.
In contrast, Otters ‘B’ had a
tarried time in the
morning semi final against Jindal ‘A’ to whom they were 0-2 before winning
3-2.
Otters ‘A’ Otters ‘B’ and Jindal ‘A’
are set to make the semifinal grade in the Jindal handicap squash tournament
being conducted at the Jindal Complex at Vashind. In Saturday’s games,
Otters ‘A’ lost narrowly to Leela 2-3, but their cumulative points of 25
from 3 tie have assured them a semifinal berth. Despite a handicap of 13,
Abhijit Kukreja of Otters ‘A’ overcame a spirited fight by Rahil Shah to
clinch the tie for his team. He defeated Rahil 14/15, 15-13, 15-13.
Jindal ‘A’ defeated ISP 3-2 to take their cumulate team
points to 23, while Otters ‘B’ defeated Juhu Centaur 3-2 to
accumulate 23 points after 3 outings. Amitpal Kohli’s unbeaten record helped
Otters ‘B’ storm into the semis, while Ashish Bhagra was the star performer
for Jindal ‘A’.
The fourth semifinalist will be decided after the tie
between New Vashi Club and Willington Catholic Gymkhana.
Vashind: Otters Club, of Bandra and a great time with
both is teams winning its opening round matches on the first day of the
inaugural Jindal squash Cup, a handicap team event, Organized by the Indian
squash professionals (ISP) and sponsored by Jindal Iron and Steel Co.Ltd. At
the Jindal Recreational Complex here on Friday.
While Otters ‘A’ beat Kamath Club, 4-1, in group ‘A’
Otters ‘B’ prevailed over hosts Jindal ‘B’, 3-2, after a hard struggle.
In fact, thanks to the handicapping, both the strong
and youthful Otters teams were put through the grind. Thus Abhijit Kukreja
of Otters ‘A’ was taken to three games by Rajesh (+12), while Santosh More
lost to Sunil Bhandari (+12).
It was a near thing for Amit Pal Kohli of Otters ‘B’
against Deepak Yadav of Jindal ‘B’ (+12). A game down, Kohli rallied to win
the decider at 17-14. his teammate, Gaurav Juneja, however, went down to
Vijay Jangra (+11), 17-14, 12-15, 11-15.
The 10 teams in the fray are divided into two games
groups and the top two from each, after the group round-rob- in league,
qualify for the semifinals, to add another dimension of competitive spirit
to the event, besides the points for team victories, point is awarded for
each game won.
So Otters ‘A’ have a tally of 9 points to kamath’s 3
while otters ‘B’ gained 7 to five of Jindal ‘B’.
The event was inaugurated by k Kumar, vice-President
(works) of the Jindal plant at Vashind.
23rd
Tournament Organised by ISP
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Tel : 9122-28314425/26/27
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