ISP Squash
 
Squash News | Legends | Padma Shri | Arjuna Awardees | Forgotten Heroes |
Squash in Armed Forces | National Professional Champions from 1994

* Joshna Chinappa selected for the prestigious Padma Shri Award

* The Sports Ministry of India, on Wednesday, conferred Harinder Pal Sandhu with the Arjuna award

* National Champions from 1994 : Professionals

* List of Indian Squash players who have received Arjuna Award

* History of Squash in Armed forces in India

* LEGENDARY SQUASH PLAYER BRIG. RAJ MANCHANDA

* HAVE YOU HEARD OF SQUASH PLAYER Shondip Ghosh? HE BEAT Ritwik Bhattacharya 2 TIMES

Karnasingh Ghorpade

* Joshna Chinappa

* Dipika Pallikal Karthik

* Legendary Squash Champion Major K.S. Jain
* Legendary Squash Player R.K. Narpat Singh (10 times National Champion)
* Squash Legend Meherwan Daruwala
* Squash Legend Adrian Ezra (6 times National Champion)

* DO YOU KNOW ? Mekhala Subedar

* DO YOU KNOW? BUNKER SANJIT ROY 3 TIMES NATIONAL SQUASH CHAMPION IN INDIA..
* DO YOU KNOW? Squash Champ Misha Grewal from 90's
* DO YOU KNOW? Squash Champ Arjan Singh from 90's

* HC revokes conferment of sports prize to IOA President : Article in PTI News
* State Government grants Rs.5 Lakhs to Mahesh Mangaokar

    
    JOSHNA CHINAPPA GETS PADMA SHRI: 26/1/2024
 
 
Joshna Chinappa has been selected for the prestigious Padma Shri honor by the Indian Government.

Joshna Chinappa, at the age of 37, has won multiple medals at the Asian Games and is a two- time Commonwealth Games medalist.  She has also won four medals at the World Championships in doubles, including a gold in 2022. She was the first Indian Woman to win the British Junior Squash Championship in 2005 in the Under 19 category. Chinnappa has won the national squash championship for a record 18 times, which is the highest by an Indian player.

The Padma Shri is the fourth highest civilian honor in the country, after the Bharat Ratna, Padma Vibhushan, and Padma Bhushan. It is conferred to individuals for their distinguished
service in any field.
    
    
    The Sports Ministry of India, on Wednesday, conferred Harinder Pal Sandhu with the Arjuna award : 9/1/2024
    
 
“I’m over the moon,” said squash player Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu, who is one of 26 sportspersons chosen for this year’s Arjuna Award “for outstanding performance in Sports and Squash Games 2023.”

The 34-year-old won two gold medals at this year’s Asian Games in Hangzhou in the men’s team event and the mixed doubles along with Dipika Pallikal.

The pair also won gold at the inaugural Asian Mixed Doubles Championships Sandhu will become only the sixth squash player to win the Arjuna Award after Bhuvneshwari Kumari, Saurav Ghosal, Dipika, Joshna Chinappa and Anaka Alankamony.

“The Arjuna Award is a reward for all the medals that I’ve won for the country and I’m grateful to each and every one who supported me throughout this journey of over two decades,” he said.
    
   National Champions from 1994 : Professionals
  2022 : DINESH R
2020: ABHINAV SINHA
2019: ABHINAV SINHA
2018: PARAMIT SINGH
2017: PARAMIT SING
2016: PARAMIT SINGH
2015: A. PARTHIBAN
2014: PARAMIT SINGH
2013: A. PARTHIBAN
2012: A. PARTHIBAN
2011: A. PARTHIBAN
2010: A. PARTHIBAN
2009: BALA MURUGAN
2008: A. PARTHIBAN
2007: BALA MURUGAN
2006: BALA MURUGAN
2005: BALA MURUGAN
2004: BALA MURUGAN
2003: MAHESH VERMA
2002: BALA MURUGAN
2001: BALA MURUGAN
2000: BALA MURUGAN
1999: BALA MURUGAN
1998: BALA MURUGAN
1997: BALA MURUGAN
1996: CHANDRAKANT PAWAR
1995: CHANDRAKANT PAWAR
1994: CHANDRAKANT PAWAR
    
  List of Indian Squash players who have received Arjuna Award
  1961 - CAPT K.S.JAIN
1969 - ANIL NAYYAR
1979 - MAJOR RAJKUMAR MANCHANDA
1982 -  BHUBNESHWARI KUMARI
1990 -  MEHERWAN DARUWALLA
1997 -  MISHA GREWAL
2006 -  SAURAV GHOSAL
2012 -  DIPIKA PALLIKAL
2013 -  JOSHNA CHINAPPA
2014 -  ANAKA ALANKAMONY
2024 - HARINDAR PAL SANDHU
     
History of Squash in Armed forces in India
        
SQUASH in India is blessed with some greats such as R.K. Narpat Singh, who won the National title 10 times without a break from 1946, Anil Nayyar, Maj. Raj Manchanda, Meherwan Daruvala, Adrian Ezra, Arjan Singh, Ritwik Bhattacharya, Bhubneshwari Kumari, Misha Grewal, Mekhala Subedar, Saurav Ghosal, Dipika Pallikal and Joshna Chinappa.

The most legendary figure ever to grace the Indian Squash scene from Armed Force, Raj Manchanda who started making his presence felt as a Captain from the EME, but it was as a Major that he achieved greatness through his exploits on the Squash Court.

He was Services Champion for an unprecedented 11 times and won 6 straight National open titles from 1977 to 1982. He also represented India in Asian Championships and World level tournaments during this period and made his presence felt through his patented use of the lob accompanied by a nagging accuracy of shots all around he court. He was also awarded the Arjuna Award in 1983.

Another notable player to emerge from the Services in the early 1980s was Capt Narjit Singh of 2nd Lancers (Armoured Corps). Narjit also holds the unique distinction of representing India in 6 successive Asian Championships from 1980-1990, which is a record.

The early eighties also saw in action the never say die Paratrooper from 17 Para Fd Arty, Major Vikas Kapoor who was ranked in the top four in India at this time and represented India in an Asian Championship at Jordan, 1986.

The other Services players to make a mark at this period were Capt LK Agnihotri, Capt Ashun Behl and who did well to make it in the top 8 of the rankings in India and were important members of Services teams for many years.

The late eighties saw fresh talent from the Services in the form of Capt. Ravinder Malik and Arjan Singh. Malik did remarkably well to win two back to back INDIA TODAY'S squash titles and represented India in the South Asian Federation games at Islamabad in 1989. Malik was Services champion from 1982 and in 1996 and accompanied the Indian team to the Cairo World Squash Championships (1995) as coach.

The early nineties belonged to Capt Arjan Singh who was Services Champion from 1991 to 1993 and National Champion from 1994 to 1996.

Represented India in Asian Championships in 1990, 1994 and 1996 and World Championship at Cairo, Egypt in 1995. He has left the Army now to seek greener pastures outside. Also prominent at this time was Lt Akshay Joshi of the Navy who represented India in the Asian Championships in Malaysia in 1996.

Some other notable players who were part of Services teams in the eighties & nineties were Capt A Ganguli, Capt IS Bains and Maj KJ Vohra (retired as Lt Col).

The Late nineties saw Capt Rajdeep Brar coming into his own and dominating proceedings at the Services and national Level. Brar, won Services Championships in a row from 1995-1999. He was part of Indian teams for Asian Championships in 1992 and 1996.(Jordan) and also played as India No 2 in the World team Squash Championships at Cairo, Egypt in 1995.

This gutsy Paratrooper from the Army Ordinance Corps used his never say die spirit and physical ability to the Stretch World No 10 Zarak Jahan Khan (Defending Asian champion) of Pakistan to five games and almost beat him in the Asian Championships at Jordan. This ranks as probably the finest performance by an Indian against a top players in those times.

Brar was also coach of the Indian Junior Squash team from 1995-1996 and coached the Juniors to the 15th position in the World Junior Championships in Egypt (1996) which is the best ever achieved by the juniors.

SOURCE:
https://eur04.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fdefenceforumindia.com%2F%25E2%2580
25A6%2Fgolf-plaguing-the-indian-a%25E2%2580%25A6%2F&data=02%7C01%7C%
7C25ff9303800c4609fcf908d7e1ab32ab%7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%7C1%7C0%
7C637225997713503495&sdata=IiiB9E4uzlYpEz03LhcToKSBHu%2FM5Yav%2BZ3VBC8ufu4%3D&reserved=0
     
  LEGENDS AND FORGOTTEN HEROES   
    
  LEGENDARY SQUASH PLAYER BRIG. RAJ MANCHANDA
  He was nicknamed "Old Fox" and was to Indian squash what Bjorn Borg was to International tennis "A MACHINE".
He was national champion six times in a row between 1977 and 1982.

The national title in 1978 gave him the much-needed boost and he was an automatic choice for the Indian team for the 1979 World Amateur Squash Championship in Australia. Two years later, in the Asian Championships, he faced Jahangir Khan, the man who was to dominate the World scene in the 80s.

Raj Manchanda lost to Khan but gave Hiddy Jahan, the world number three, a big scare in a later tournament in
Karachi.

Though India was never a power in squash racquets, Raj Manchanda himself had a fairly good run in the various international tournaments he represented the country. He was captain of the Indian team on a number of occasions
including the time when India won the silver medal in the 1981 Asian Championships at Karachi. His best individual performance was the fourth place in the Asian championships in Jordan in 1984 where the team under hisleadership won a Bronze Medal.

Since 1981 when the National teams championship, the Interstate event, got under way, till 1992 when he last
participated, he lead the services team to victory 9 times out of 11, many times against impossible odds as in 1988-89 when the country’s 3 best players were from an opposing team and the services team still won.

ACHIEVEMENTS:
6 times National champion from 1977 to 1982
1979: ARJUNA AWARD
1967: President's Gold Medal at Indian Military College, Dehradun.
1980-81: Best Sportsman in Services Award
1976: Member of Indian team for the World Team Championships in England. India finishes 7th position.
11 times Services Champion in Squash
1984: Won the silver medal in the 1984 Asian Championship at Karachi
1984: Captain of squash team which won bronze medal in Asian squash championship in Jordan.
Winner, Veteran, DDA OPEN 1999
Runner Up, Men’s Over – 45, DDA Open 2001
Winner, Over -45, The 26th Maharashtra State Open Championship, November 2001
Winner, Over-45, 58th C.C.I. Western India Open Squash Tournament, December 2001
Winner, Over-55, 58th C.C.I. Western India Open Squash Tournament,December 2001
Winner, Over-50, Hero Honda - Khar Gymkhana - ISP Golden Jubilee Squash, February 2004
Winner, Over 55: 29th Bombay Gymkhana-Maharashtra State Open, November 2004
Semifinalist, Over -45, The 29th Bombay Gymkhana Maharashtra State Open Championship, November 2004
Runner Up, Over-55, The 32nd Bombay Gymkhana Maharashtra State OpenSquash Championship September 2007.
Runner Up, Over-55, 64TH C.C.I. Western India Open Squash Tournament 2007, November 2007.
Winner, Men’s Over –55, ISP Platinum Jubilee All India Squash Carnival January2007
2015: Conferred Major Dyan Chand Sports Awards 2015 'Best Player Squash' award
At one time he was Vice President of SRFI and Indian Government Observer for Squash.

LINKS:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rJFppz8ULqM
https://www.indiatoday.in/magazine/sport/story/19820315-major-raj-manchanda-wins-28th-national-squash-championships-for-fifth-consecutive-time-771605-2013-10-17
https://www.translatetheweb.com/?from=fr&to=en&dl=en&a=https://peoplepill.com/people/raj-manchanda/
https://www.preservearticles.com/biography/short-biography-of-raj-manchanda-the-renowned-indian-squash-player/9304
https://delhigymkhana.org.in/manage/newsattachment/ClubLifeAugust2019.pdf
    
     
HAVE YOU HEARD OF SQUASH PLAYER Shondip Ghosh? HE BEAT Ritwik Bhattacharya 2 TIMES

53rd CCI-WESTERN INDIA 20-11-96 :
BOYS UNDER-19: SHONDIP GHOSH BEAT RITWIK BHATTACHARYA 9-1, 4-9, 9-0, 8-10, 9-4
Sub Junior - Junior National Squash Championship (9-10-1996) :
UNDER-19: SHONDIP GHOSH BEAT RITWIK BHATTACHARYA 3-0
Steelmade Junior Championship, Otters Club, Mumbai (06-09-1996) :
FINAL'S BOYS UNDER-19: Shondip Ghosh BEAT Gaurav Juneja 3-0
The Little Masters Junior Squash Tournament 1996 : Winner Boys U-19 :
Monarch-Continental & Khar Gym Open,Under-19, Mumbai,1995 : Semifinalist, Boy’s U-19.

HE IS AT PRESENT SETTLED IN USA AND AVAILABLE ON FACEBOOK.
 
Karnasingh Ghorpade

Karnasingh Ghorpade (born 1955) still plays squash 4 times a week at Residency Club, Kolhapur, Maharashtra, India. He studied in Mayo College Ajmer and was captain of squash team in 1971.

Achievements:
* Junior Champion Berkshire and Buckinghamshire in 1973

* Played for Kent Jr county team and Berkshire Senior County team 1973

* Played Drysdale Cup ( equivalent to Junior World Championship ) in 1973.

* Played US West Coast circuit in 1977 and 78. Ranked 2 in California.

* He returned to India in 1978 and played 1979 Nationals in Mumbai.

Stopped serious squash due to family commitments, but helped Indian Squash Professionals in organising a coaching camp and tournament in 2009 at Residency Club.
  
JOSHNA CHINAPPA BIOGRAPHY

Joshna Chinappa (born 15 September 1986 in Chennai) is an Indian professional squash player. She reached a career-high world ranking of World No. 10 in July 2016 and again in July 2020. She was the first Indian to win the British Junior Squash Championship title in 2005 in the under-19 category and was also the youngest Indian women's national champion.

In 2000, Joshna won her first junior and senior national championship titles. She became the youngest player to hold both titles at the age of 14 and current record-holder of most national championship wins, with 18 titles.

In April 2018 at EL Gouna International Squash Tournament Egypt, Chinappa defeated eight-time World Champion and former world number one, Nicol David in straight sets 11-8, 11-8, 11-8. It was her first ever win over the legendary Malaysian player.

The game of squash runs in the blood of this young National Champion. Joshna Chinappa family has been playing the game for the last four generations. Joshnas great grandfather, Field Marshall K.M. Cariappa, who was also the first Commander-in-Chief of the Indian Army, was a regular player of the game of squash. Joshna’s father, Anjan Chinappa, like her grandfather, also plays squash regularly and has also represented Tamil Nadu several times (he also coached Joshna).

COMMONWEALTH GAMES:
Gold medal – first place 2014 Glasgow Doubles
Silver medal – second place 2018 Gold Coast Doubles

ASIAN GAMES:
Silver medal – second place 2014 Incheon Team
Silver medal – second place 2018 Jakarta Team
Bronze medal – third place 2010 Guangzhou Team
Bronze medal – third place 2018 Jakarta Singles

SOUTH ASIAN GAMES:
Gold medal – first place 2016 India Singles
Asian Individual Championships
Gold medal – first place 2017 Chennai Singles
Gold medal – first place 2019 Kuala Lumpur Singles

AWARD:
Arjuna award in 2013

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS:

2011-2010
Winner, Brit Insurance Metro squash Windy City Open, Chicago , USA, Feb 2011
Semi Finalist, WISPA des Pyramids France,July-2011
1 Round, Women’s, Buler Challenge Cup, China April 2011
Women’s Qualifying Finalist, CIMB KL Open Squash Championships in Kuala Lumpur March 2011
Winner, Kingfisher-57th Senior National Squash Championship 2009.
Winner, PSA/WISPA Tour Event News 2009.
Winner , Womens, Maharashtra State Open Squash Championship, Oct 2009.
Quarter Finalist, Mixed Doubles, Commonwealth Games Squash Championships, Delhi Oct 2010
Women’s 3rd round, Commonwealth Games Squash Championships, Delhi Oct 2010
Qualifying Finals, The Soho Square Women's World Open Squash Championship, Sept 2010
Semi Finalist, the El-Kersh Women's Heliopolis Open, WISPA World Tour squash event , August 2010
Runner Up, 1st Round, Seventh WISPA Gold championship of the year - in Hong Kong, August 2010
Winner, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: July 2010
Semi Finalist, Women's WISPA Indian Challenger No.4 Indian Squash Academy, Chennai, Jan 2010.
Round 1, Creteil International 2010, France , Feb 2010.
3rd Place , Women's Doubles, Chennai Squash Open, March 2010.
Winner, Women, Senior National Championship 2010,Dec 2010.
Runner-up, WISPA Indian Challenger women's squash championship, April 2011
Winner, Germany Open Title, May 2010,
Semi-finalist, Women's Chairman's Squash Cup, Hong Kong, Jan 2010.
Semi -Finalist, Team Event, Malaysia , Pakistan wins Gold, while India men and women team settle for bronze in Asian games, Nov-2010.
Winner, Women’s, the 35th Bombay Gymkhana-HSBC Maharashtra State Open Squash Championship, Oct 2010.

2009-2008
Runner-up, Liberty Bell Open , USA , Jan 2009.
Semi-Finalist, International aux de Creteil 2009.
Semi-Finalist, NSC Series No.3, Mar 2009.
Winner, Second WISPA, kuala Lumpur 2008.
Semi-Finalist, First WISPA Title , Kuala Lumpur , 2008.
Semi-Finalist, Women, Maharashtra State Open Squash Championship 2008.
Winner, Women, 56th National Squash Championship 2008.

2007-2006
Winner, Women, 64TH C.C.I. Western India Open Squash Tournament 2007, November 2007.
Winner, Women, Isp Platinum Jubilee All India Squash Carnival January 2007
Winner, Women’s, National Squash Championship 2007, July 2007
Winner, Women, The 32nd Bombay Gymkhana Maharashtra State Open Squash Championship September 2007.
Winner, Women's Open, VI th Harish Chandra Golcha Memorial Rajasthan Open National Level Squash Championship 2008.
Winner, Women’s, 63rd C.C.I. Western India Open Squash Tournament 2006
Winner, Women’s Open, Jaipur Club Ltd. Harish Chandra Golcha Memorial, Rajasthan Open National Level Squash Championship Sept 2006
Winner, Women’s, South Asian Games Squash Championship, Colombo, Sri Lanka August 2006

2005-2004
Women's, Winner, 62nd C.C.I. Western India Open Squash Tournament November 2005
Women’s, Winner, 53rd National Squash Championship, Bombay Gymkhana, November 2005
Women’s Open, Winner, Rajasthan Open National Level Squash Championship, August 2005
Women’s, Winner, Otters Open Squash Championship May 2005
Winner, Girls U-19, British Junior Open Squash Championship, January 2005
Winner, Girls U-19, Sub-Junior / Junior National Squash Championship, November 2004.
Winner, Girls U-19, Harish Chandra Golcha Memorial Rajasthan Open National Level Squash Championship 2004
Winner, Women’s, Harish Chandra Golcha Memorial Rajasthan Open National Level Squash Championship 2004
Winner, Women, 61st C.C.I. Western India Open Squash Tournament, November 2004
Winner, Girls U-19, 61st C.C.I. Western India Open Squash Tournament, November 2004
Runner Up, Girls U-19, British Junior Open Squash Championship, January 2004.
Winner, Women’s Open, 1st National Doubles Squash Championship, December 2004
Winner, Women’s Open, 52nd National Squash Championship, December 2004

2003-2002
Girls U-19, Winner Natalia - SRFI Grand Final Chennai, December 2003
Women’s open, Winner, 28th Bombay Gymkhana Maharashtra State Open Championship, November 2003
Winner, Girls U-19, 28th Bombay Gymkhana Maharashtra State Open Championship, November 2003
Winner, Girls U-19, Sub-Junior / Junior National Squash Championship, October 2003
Winner, Girls U-19, The Little Masters Junior Squash Tournament 2003, September 2003
Winner, Women’s Open, Otters Open Squash Championship, June 2003
Winner, Girls U-19, Otters Open Squash Championship, June 2003
Winner, Girls U-17, British Junior Open Squash Championship
Winner, Girls U-17, Complan Junior Squash Open, November 2002
Winner, Girls Under-19, Junior / Sub-Junior National Squash Championship, November 2002
Winner, Girls U-19, The 27th Bombay Gymkhana Maharashtra State Open Championship, November 2002
Runners Up, Women’s Open, The 27th Bombay Gymkhana Maharashtra State Open Championship, November 2002
Runner Up, Women, ICICI Lombard Otters National Squash Championship, December 2002

2001-1998
Runner Up, Women’s Open, 58th C.C.I. Western India Open Squash Tournament, December 2001
Winner, Girls U-19, 58th C.C.I. Western India Open Squash Tournament, December 2001
Winner, Girls U-19, Sub Junior / Junior National Squash Championship 2001
Winner, Women’s Open, National Squash Championship
Winner, Girls U-19, The 26th Hsbc Maharashtra State Open Championship, November 2001
Runner Up, Girls, Asian Juniors Squash Championship Feb 2001
Runner Up, Women’s Open, The 26th Hsbc Maharashtra State Open Championship, November 2001
Winner, Women Open, National Squash Championship, December 2000
Winner, Girls U-15, 57th CCI Western India Open, November 2000
Winner, Girls U-19, 57th CCI Western India Open, November 2000
Winner, Girls U-19, 25th HSBC Maharashtra State Open Championship November 2000
Runner Up, Women’s Open, 25th HSBC Maharashtra State Open Championship November 2000
Runner Up, Girls U -19, Junior National Squash Championship, October 2000
Winner, Girls U-15, The Indian Junior Open Squash Championship 2000
Runner Up, Girls U-17, The Indian Junior Open Squash Championship 2000
Winner, Girls U-19, The Little Masters Junior Squash Tournament, September 2000
Semi Finalist, Girls U-19, The Little Masters Junior Squash Tournament, September 2000
Runner Up, Women’s Open, SWITCHER-THE LEELA Squash Tournament, February 2000
Winner, Over -45, National Squash Championship, December 2000
Runner Up, Girls U-19, 56th CCI-Western India, November 1999
Runner Up, Girls U-19, All India Otters Club Open, August 1999
Runner Up, Girls U-17, Sub Junior & Junior Nationals, October 1999
Winner, Girls U-14, Junior-Sub Junior National Squash Championship, October 1998
Semifinalist, Women’s Open, National Squash Championship, 1998
Winner, Girls U-14, Singapore Jr. Open Squash, July 1998
Runners Up, Girls U-14, Sub Junior - Junior National Squash Championship, 1996
  
 
 
 
 
DIPIKA PALLIKAL KARTHIK

Dipika was born to Sanjiv Pallikal and Susan Pallikal in Chennai on 21st September 1991.

Dipika got her sporting genes from her mother who has represented the Indian women’s team in international cricket.

Dipika started her International career in a promising fashion. She reached the final of the Chennai Open in 2008, beating the first seed (Orla Noom of Netherland) and third seed (Christina Mak of Hong Kong) on her way.

ACHIEVEMENTS:
* No 1 RANKING at European Junior Squash at the age of 17
* WON German Open, Dutch open, Scottish Open, British Open and the French Open (age 13 to 19 years)
* WINNER in Hong Kong Crocodile Challenge Cup 2011
* QUARTER FINALIST in Netherlands World Open 2011
* WINNER in United States Dread Sports Series 2011
* WINNER in United States Orange County Open 2011
* SEMI FINALIST in Australia Australian Open 2012
* RUNNER UP in United States Tournament of Champions 2012
* ARJUNA AWARD IN 2012 (first Female Squash player to be conferred with the Arjuna Award, India’s second highest sporting award in that year)
* PSA WORLD NO 10 IN DECEMBER 2012 (FIRST EVER BY INDIAN SQUASH PLAYER)
* WINNER in China Macau Squash Open 2013
* WINNER in Canada Meadowood Pharmacy Open 2013
* BIG STAR Most Entertaining Sportsperson of the Year 2013
* TEAM MEMBER OF India wins its first historic Gold in Women’s Doubles squash in Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow 2014
* WINNER in Canada Winnipeg Winter Club Open 2015
* PADMA SHRI 2014 (YOUNGEST IN INDIA)
* DIPIKA was the first woman squash player to be the face of reputed brands and various endorsements.

COMMONWEALTH GAMES
Gold medal – first place 2014 Glasgow Doubles
Silver medal – second place 2018 Gold Coast Doubles
Silver medal – second place 2018 Gold Coast Mixed doubles

ASIAN GAMES
Silver medal – second place 2014 Incheon Team
Bronze medal – third place 2010 Guangzhou Team
Bronze medal – third place 2014 Incheon Singles
Bronze medal – third place 2018 Jakarta Singles

ASIAN INDIVIDUAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
Silver medal – second place 2017 Chennai Singles

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS:
* 2011-2010
Semi Finalist, WISPA des Pyramides, France,July-2011
Semi Finalist, Buler Challenge Cup, China April 2011
Women's Qualifying Finalist, CIMB KL Open Squash Championships in Kuala Lumpur March 2011
Runner-up, Brit Insurance Metrosquash Windy City Open, Chicago , USA, Feb 2011
Semifinalist, WISPA Indian Challenger women's squash championship, April 2011
Quarterfinalist, Women’s; 16th Asian Individual Squash Championship 2011.
Qualifying Finals, The Soho Square Women's World Open Squash Championship,Sept 2010
Runner Up, 1st Round, Seventh WISPA Gold championship of the year - in Hong Kong, August 2010
Runner Up, 1st Round, Women's Australian Open, Canberra, Australia, August, 2010
Winner, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: July 2010
1st Round, Women's WISPA Indian Challenger No.4 Indian Squash Academy, Chennai, Jan 2010.
3rd Place , Women's Doubles, Chennai Squash Open, March 2010.
Winner, Pallikal Powers To Historic Tour Title In Nepal , Team Event, Nov 2010.
Team Event, Malaysia, Pakistan wins Gold, while India men and women team settle for bronze in Asian games, Nov-2010.
Winner Mixed Doubles, Chennai Squash Open, March 2010.
Semi-finalist, Swedish Open 2010, Sweden , Feb 2010.
Quarterfinalist, Punj Lloyd Squash Masters 2010.
Semifinalist, World’s Junior Individual Squash Championship, Cologne , Germany 2010
Runner Up, Women's Sheikha Sheikha Saad Al Sabah International in Kuwait Oct 2010
* 2009-2008
Semi-Finalist, Internationaux de Creteil 2009.
Runner-Up, Asian Junior Squash Championship 2009
Semi-Finalist , World Junior Individual Squash Championship Women's Event 2009.
Quarterfinalist, Quarters of coronation Squash Open, London , England , Nov 2009.
Semi-finalist, Mc Wil Courtwall Women’s Austrian Open Squash Championship, Vienna, Austria, Dec 2009
Winner, Girls U-19, Sub-Junior/Junior National Squash Championship 2008.
Semi-Finalist, Women, Maharashtra State Open Squash Championship 2008.
Runner-Up, Women, 56th National Squash Championship 2008.
Winner, Women's U-17, British Junior Open, Jan 2008.
Winner, Girls, (HongKong) Asian Seniors Individual Squash Championship 2008.
* 2007-2006
Runners Up, Women’s, National Squash Championship 2007, July 2007
Winner, Girls U-19, Sub-Junior / Junior National Squash Championship, October 2007.
Winner, Girls U-19, Sub-Junior / Junior National Squash Championship October 2006.
Runner up, Women, Isp Platinum Jubilee All India Squash Carnival January 2007
Runner Up, Women’s, South Asian Games Squash Championship, Colombo, Sri Lanka August 2006
* 2005-2004
Women’s, Runner Up, 62nd C.C.I. Western India Open Squash Tournament November 2005
Winner, Girls U-19, 62nd C.C.I. Western India Open Squash Tournament November 2005
Winner, Girls U-15, 62nd C.C.I. Western India Open Squash Tournament November 2005
Winner, Girls U-19, The Daly College Indian Junior Squash Open ,October2005 , Indore
Runner Up, Girls U-19, Sub-Junior / Junior National Squash Championship, October 2005 Chennai
Winner, Girls U-19, The Little Masters Junior Squash Tournament, September 2005
Winner, Girls U-15, The Little Masters Junior Squash Tournament, September 2005
Winner, Girls U-17, Rajasthan Open National Level Squash Championship, August 2005
Women’s Open, Runner Up, Rajasthan Open National Level Squash Championship, August 2005
Winner, Girls U-17, 1st Southern India Squash Championship August 2005
Winner, Girls U -17, Chelmsford Delhi Open Squash Championship, June 2005
Women’s Open, Runner Up, Chelmsford Delhi Open Squash Championship, June 2005
Winner, Girls U-17, Northern India Squash Championship 2004
Winner, Girls U-15, Harish Chandra Golcha Memorial Rajasthan Open National Level Squash Championship 2004
Winner, Girls U-15, The Little Masters Junior Squash Tournament, October 2004
Runner Up, Girls U-19, The Little Masters Junior Squash Tournament, October 2004
Runner Up, Women’s Open, Northern India Squash Championship 2004
Runner Up, Girls U-15, Sub-Junior / Junior National Squash Championship, November 2004.
Semifinalist, Women’s Open, Harish Chandra Golcha Memorial Rajasthan Open National Level Squash Championship
* 2004
Winner, Women’s Open, 1st National Doubles Squash Championship, December 2004
Semifinalist, Women’s Open, 52nd National Squash Championship, December 2004
* 2003-2002
Winner, Girls U-15, Natalia - SRFI Grand Final Chennai, December 2003
Runner Up, Girls U-13, Sub-Junior / Junior National Squash Championship, October 2003
Winner, Girls U-13, Indian Junior Squash Open, September 2003
Winner, Girls U-19, East India Junior Squash Championship 2003, August 2003
Semi Finalist, Girls U-19, East India Junior Squash Championship, August 2003
Winner, Girls U-15, Otters Open Squash Championship, June 2003
Winner, Girls U-13, Otters Open Squash Championship, June 2003
Winner, Girls Under-13, Junior / Sub-Junior National Squash Championship, November 2002
Semifinalist, Girls U-13, Complan Junior Squash Open, November 2002
* 2001-2000
Quarter Finalist, Girls U-13, Sub Junior / Junior National Squash Championship 2001
  
Legendary Squash Champion Major K.S. Jain
   
He was national champion for six years continuously (1958 to 1963) and was awarded Arjuna Award in 1961.

In the late 50's and 60's he won CCI Western India championship for 6 or 7 years before he was defeated by another legendary squash player Anil Nayyar.
  
  
Legendary Squash Player R.K. Narpat Singh (10 times National Champion)
  
Legendary squash player from India R.K. Narpat Singh won the national titles ten times without a break from 1946 to 1955.

His record was broken by Saurav Ghosal in 2016 Nationals (11th title).

Saurav beat HarinderPal Sandhu in the finals of 73rd NationalChampionship which was held in July 2016 at Otter Club,
Mumbai, India.

Raj Kumar Narpat Singh even dominated 1st CCI Western India tournament which was held in 1943 (during British rule).

In the early years before the Independence (1947), it was mostly the British squash players and a few Indians (Pakistan was not yet formed).
 
Squash Legend Meherwan Daruwala
 
Squash player from 80's Meherwan Daruwala was 5 times national champion from 1983 to 1987 and was Arjuna Award winner in 1990.

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS:
Winner-Central India Squash Open - 1987
Winner - Western India Open/Bombay Masters Open - 1987
Winner -East India Open/Northern India Open - 1987
Winner - India Open - 1988
Winner - Central India Open - 1988
Winner - Northern India Squash Open - 1988
Winner - Indian Open/Bombay's Masters Tournament - 1989
Won - Bronze Medal for India in Asian Squash Championship - 1990
Winner - Maharashtra State Open/ Western Indian Open - 1990
Winner - Madras Open/Calcutta Open - 1991
Winner - Western India Open - 1991
Winner - Captain of the Maharashtra team, which won the Inter -State Championship - 1995
Awarded the Level 1, Level 2 Coaching Certificate for squash by Canadian Certification, recognized by WSF. - 1995
Semifinalist, Over-35, ICICI Lombard Otters National Squash Championship, December - 2002
  
Squash Legend Adrian Ezra (6 times National Champion)
  
EZRA was national squash champion continuously for 6 times from 1988 to 1993. After his squash stint in India he went to Harward University and emerged as top squash player there.

He won Ivy League player of the year award in 1992 and 1994.

A hard working and tenacious player on the court, Adrian was the 1994 co-recipient, with fellow "HALL OF FAME" inductee Michael Giardi, of the Bingham Award for Harvard male athlete who has best served the purpose of Harvard Athletics.

He says "What I have taken away from Harvard and Harvard Squash is so much more than becoming a better squash player. The experience has made me a better friend, teammate, athlete and student and I would like to thank my family, friends, coaches and teammates for being involved in that process over the years. My desire to win has not faded in the 15 years since I left and I am grateful to all the people I have mentioned, and to so many I have not, all of whom made my time at Harvard unforgettable".

Adrian Ezra was honored with MID-DAY LIFE TIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD by His Royal Highness Tunku Imran, Prince of Malaysia in 1999 in Mumbai.

Adrian organised many international squash tournaments in Mumbai from 2006 to 2010 to help Junior squash players.
     
  DO YOU KNOW ?
MEKHALA SUBEDAR (SRIVASTAVA)
      
  Mekhala is a 4 time national squash champion.. A living legend in ladies squash, hails from army background. Initially her father was her coach. She moved to squash from other game when she was 14 years old. She is married to Ankur and has a son who also plays squash (Vivaan Srivastava).

ACHIEVEMENTS:

* 4 Time National Squash Champion - 1997, 1998, 1999, 2002
* Recommended for the prestigious Arjuna award - 2001, 2002
* Gold Medal - Womens Team event and Silver medal - Womens individual event: SAF games, Islamabad, Pakistan, 2004
* Silver Medal at the Asian Womens Squash Team Championship, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia in May, 2002. Was Captain of the team.
* 4th position, 13th Asian Games Individual event in Bangkok, 1998
* Captain of the first Indian Womens Team to qualify for the World Squash Championship held at Odense , Denmark in Oct 2002
* Winner of the National level, D.D.A open squash tournament at Siri Fort Sports complex 11 years in a row from 1995 to 2005
* Winner of the Delhi Open (a National level tournament) continuously from 1995 to 2004
* Winner of National level tournaments - Maharashtra State Open and Western India Open continuously from 1997 to 2003
* Qualified Level 2 Coach - Asian Squash Federation, 2012
* Certified International Woman Referee
* Captain of the first Indian Womens Team to qualify for the World Squash Championship held at Odense, Denmark in Oct 2002
* Indian team coach for the British Junior Open, Sheffield, UK in Jan 2012
* Indian Team Coach at Asian Youth Games in Nanjing, China as well as the Asian Junior Squash Championship, in Iran, 2014
* Indian Senior Team Coach for the Asian Squash Championships in Kuwait, 2015
      
  DO YOU KNOW?
BUNKER SANJIT ROY 3 TIMES NATIONAL SQUASH CHAMPION IN INDIA..
  Mr Roy was national squash champion in 1965, 1969 and 1970 and he is an Indian social activist and educator who founded the Barefoot College. He was selected as one of Time 100's 100 most influential personalities in 2010 for his work in educating illiterate and semi literate rural Indians

ACHIEVEMENTS:


The Jamnalal Bajaj Award – 1985 – "Outstanding Contribution in Application of Science and Technology for Rural Development"
The St Andrews Prize for the Environment – 2003
Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship – 2003 – one of 20 people recognised for Social Entrepreneurs of the Year for 2003.
The Robert Hill Award from the global Solar Community – 2009 – for his work in the promotion of photo-voltaics
The Distinguished Educationist honor by Rocheston Accreditation Institute, New York - Jan 2017
"Archives – 1985 Science and Technology". Jamnalal Bajaj Foundation. Retrieved 23 November 2012.
"Swiss award for Bunker Roy". The Hindu. 22 September 2002. Retrieved 23 November 2012.
"Memorable Points – National". Pratiyogita Darpan. Pratiyogita Darpan. November 2009. pp. 34–. Retrieved 23 November 2012.
Distinguished Educationist Honor - Rocheston Accreditation Institute, New York .

Links:
https://www.qualityoflifeconference.com/…/sanjit-bunker-roy…
https://peoplepill.com/people/bunker-roy/
https://www.thebetterindia.com/…/sanjit-bunker-roy-tilon…/4/
     
  DO YOU KNOW? SQUASH CHAMP MISHA GREWAL FROM 90'S
     
  Misha Grewal Soni has the distinction of being India’s National Squash champion for 5 consecutive years from 1992 -1997. She rose as high as No.27 in the world and was elected to the Board of the Women’s International Squash Players Association from 1994 - 1998.

She is the only Indian, till date, man or woman, to serve on the apex committee of an International Squash Association.

In 1996 Misha won Silver at the Asian Squash Championships. In 1997 Misha temporarily stopped competing, solely due to the absence of sponsorship support.

She worked in Star News TV for sometime before getting married to India's top designer Ashish Soni from New Delhi.

When she was 28 years old she wanted to play in Asian Games in Bangkok and did her 3 weeks training stint in New York.

She now has a 19 years old son Neel who is into wild life photography and has published a book "a walk on the wild side".

ACHIEVEMENTS:
National Champion and ranked No.1 in India 1992-’97.
Silver medallist at the 1997 Asian Squash Championships and currently ranked No.2 in Asia.
Member of the Indian team that won bronze at the 1992 Asian Squash Championships.
Career highest ranking of 27 in the World

PHOTO : http://www.tnq.in/images/Misha.jpg
     
  DO YOU KNOW? SQUASH CHAMPION ARJAN SINGH FROM 90'S?
     
Capt Arjan Singh was Services Champion from 1991 to 1993 and National Squash Champion from 1994 to 1996.
The Early nineties belonged to him.

He also represented India in Asian Championships in 1990, 1994 and 1996 and World Championship at Cairo, Egypt in
1995. He has left the Army now to seek greener pastures abroad.

When he was just 22 years, the 6 ft 3 inch tall army officer beat defending champion Lt. Ravinder Malik (28) in INDIA TODAY Masters Squash Championship held in December 1990 and won the 1st prize of Rs 10000/- (which is big prize money in those days).

ACHIEVEMENTS:
National Championship 1997 - Runner-up
East India Open 1997 - Winner
DDA Open 1998 - Winner
Bolzano Open 1997 - Pre-Quarter Final
Milan Open 1997- Pre-Quarter Final
Varese Open 1997 - Quarter Final
Mexico Open 1997 - Pre-Quarter Final
Malaysian Open 1997 - Pre-Quarter Final
Central India Open 1997 - Winner
South India Open Championship 1996, Madras - Winner
North India Open Championship 1996, New Delhi - Winner
DDA Open Championship, New Delhi 1996- Winner
Central India Open Championship 1997, Indore - Winner
Chandigarh Open Championship 1997, Chandigarh - Winner
Ist Perrier Open Championship 1995, Malaysia - Quarter-Finals
3rd Perrier Open Championship 1995, Malaysia - Semi-Finals
DDA Open Championship 1995, New Delhi - Winner
North India Open Championship 1995, New Delhi - Winner
Chandigarh Open Championship 1995, Chandigarh - Winner
South India Open Championship 1995, Madras - Winner
National Squash Championship 1995, New Delhi - Winner
Chicago Open Championship 1994, USA Pre - Quarter Final
Flagship Open Championship 1994, USA Pre - Quarter Final
Florida State Open Championship 1994, USA - Pre-Quarter Final
Los Angeles Open Championship 1994,
USA - Pre-Quarter Final
DDA Open Championship 1994, New Delhi - Winner
North India Open Championship 1994, New Delhi Winner
Chandigarh Open Championship 1994, Chandigarh - Winner
Ahmedabad Open Championship 1994, Ahmedabad - Winner
Maharashtra State Open Championship 1994, Bombay - Winner
National Squash Championship 1994, Calcutta - Winner
Germersheim Open Championship 1993, Germany - Winner
Denzlingen Open Championship 1993, Germany - Winner
Gros Zimmern Open Championship 1993, Germany - Winner
Rose Festival Pro-Am Championship 1993, USA - Winner
Services Squash Championship 1993, Bombay - Winner
Central India Open Championship 1993, Indore - Winner
National Championship 1993, Bombay - Finalist
Maharashtra State Open Championship 1993, Bombay – Winner
Attained 5th place in the 2nd Asian Junior (Team) championship, 1985 at Hong Kong
Won the silver medal at the 4th South Asian Federation Games, 1989 at Islamabad.
Won the bronze medal at the 5th Asian Squash Championship, 1990 at Calcutta.
Attained 4th position in the 7th Asian (Team) Championship, 1994 at Kuala Lumpur .
Attained 4th position in the 8th Asian (Individual) Championship, 1996 at Amman .
Runner’s Up, Men’s Open, National Squash Championship (CHENNAI) Dec 1997
Winner, Men’s Open,54th CCI Western India Open Squash Tournament 1997
Winner, Asia Sugar Delhi State Squash Championship 1996
Winner, Mens Open, 5th Pune Open Garware - Wall Ropes
Poona Open Squash Tournament 1996

PHOTO :
http://www.mahendraagarwal.com/images/celebrities/img4.jpg
 
  
SQUASH NEWS
  
HC revokes conferment of sports prize to IOA President : Article in PTI News
  
 

HC revokes conferment of sports prize to IOA President

Article in PTI News

New Delhi, Aug 31 (PTI) The Delhi High Court today revoked the conferment of Rashtriya Khel Protsahan Puraskar (RKPP) 2011 to Indian Olympic Association President N Ramachandran, saying it was finalised without "proper inquiry and application of mind." 

The Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports had instituted the RKPP in 2009 for contribution to sports by individuals, corporates or institutions. Ramachandran was awarded RKPP award in the category of "Establishment and Management of sports academies of excellence." 

"This court therefore holds that the award of Puraskar to the fifth Respondent (Ramachandran) was finalised without a proper inquiry and proper application of mind, no attempt to verify the claims of achievement of the fifth Respondent were seriously made. The said decision, based on the Selection Committee's recommendation, is therefore unsupportable in law," a bench comprising justices Ravindra Bhat and R K Gauba said. 

It said the manner in which the whole selection took place, with respect to Ramachandran not only reveals a "casual and uncritical acceptance of whatever was and offered by the applicant, but also exemplifies what is wrong in such matters in Indian sports." 

"Sportspersons and where they function and the general public they entertain, are a world apart, it so seems from the world of sports administrators! This disconnect is deeply thrown up in sharp relief in the facts of the present case where regardless of the facility which was claimed to have been developed, the ultimate user, i.e. the squash players/ coach etc. had no voice in the selection of Puraskar or its awarding," the bench said. 

The bench directed the sports ministry, Sports Authority of India (SAI) and Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadufirst to pass consequential orders, revoking the grant of Puraskar to the Ramachandran, within four weeks from today. 

It also asked Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports to include eminent sportspersons in the selection committee of RKPP for 2016. 

"This Court holds that ? first, the exclusion of eminent sportspersons from the Selection Committee of the Puraskar was without any basis; and directs the first Respondent to make appropriate provisions for the same in the Scheme of the Puraskar for 2016," the bench said in its verdict on a plea filed by one Tatpal Singh Jaggi who challenged the conferment of the award to Ramachandran. 

Source : http://www.ptinews.com/news/6444637_HC-revokes-conferment-of-sports-prize-to-IOA-President.html 

Click here to view judgement copy : http://lobis.nic.in/ddir/dhc/SRB/judgement/31-08-2015/SRB31082015CW29892013.pdf

  STATE GOVERNMENT GRANTS RS 5 LAKHS TO MAHESH MANGAOKAR
     
 

Thanks to SRAM’s (Squash Racquets Association of Maharashtra) constant efforts, Mumbai’s young, talented and established squash player Mahesh Mangaonkar has received a grant of Rs five lakhs from the Maharashtra Government, late last year.

Ministry officials from the state government handed over a cheque to the player at his residence recently.

The 20-year-old Mahesh has steadily risen from the junior ranks into a top class player and is currently ranked at a career high of 44 in the world professional circuit. He has done exceptionally well last season winning two major titles on the PSA Tour and finished runners-up in three other events. Earlier last year, he clinched the $5,000 Men’s Open du Gard 2014, at Nimes, France and back home, won the $10,000 Men’s JSW PSA Indian Circuit No2 2014, at Juhu Vile Parle Gymkhana Club, Mumbai, last October.

Mahesh’s mother Anjali was quite satisfied with the cash award her son received and was all praise for SRAM. “SRAM has been promoting squash for a long time and have been supporting Mahesh from a very young age. SRAM has taken care of Mahesh throughout his entire junior career, his training and now they have used their good offices to push his credentials which helped to obtain this grant of Rs 5 lakhs,” mentioned Anjali.

SRAM Treasurer, Mahendra Agarwal, mentioned that this was just a small gesture for a player who has brought laurels for Mumbai, Maharashtra and someone who is a bright future for Indian squash. “Mahesh deserves this award. He has done very well from the junior ranks and now at the world level. With his achievements we approached the state government and they agreed to sanction this sum, with a promise to offer more funds later,” he pointed out. 

Agarwal further stated that the SRAM is confident the new government in Maharashtra will soon confer Mahesh with the Shiv Chhatrapti Award, the highest award given to a sportsperson from the state. “He (Mahesh) is eligible for the award and I’m 100% confident that this new Maharashtra Government will recognise the achievements of Mahesh and give him the Shiv Chhatrapati Award very soon. It would also be the first time a squash player receives this award,” stated Agarwal. 

“This funding from the government is not much and we are now looking forward to support from the Central Government. We are also looking to rope in sponsors and are confident that the SRAM and ISP, who have done a lot for the game, will help to get a sponsor. I will be grateful if corporates come forward to support Mahesh,” Anjali said modestly. 

The tall, dapper Mahesh is currently in Boston, USA training under coach Shaun Moxham preparing for his first major event, the Tour Champions, starting in New York later this month. 

source: http://www.magzmumbai.com/state-govt-grants-rs-5-lakh-to-mahesh/