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Khelshala: World-Class Squash for Chandigarh’s Underprivileged

A rag-picker’s daughter, Priya Gupta, trained by Bajwa, who won the women’s open division of the National Squash Circuit in 2016 and 2017 grabbed the Young India Fellowship at Ashoka University and is now a Mentor with ‘Teach For India’…writes Sukant Deepak

In the small village of Attawa on the outskirts of Chandigarh, a revolution seems to be brewing. Attawa may be just like any other village in the vicinity of a city – broken roads, encroachments, open drains, and populated by those who ‘drive’ cities — electricians, janitors, migrant workers, and those who cannot afford the sky-high Chandigarh rentals.

But there is one exception — it boasts ‘Khelshala’, a world-class squash facility run by the former Director of Harvard University’s Squash Programme, Satinder Bajwa, who has also mentored eight-time world champion, Pakistani squash player, Jansher Khan.

When Bajwa returned to India in 2010, he knew he wanted to make champs out of the underprivileged, and spent Rs two crore from his savings to build Khelshala, which imparts coaching to the children of the economically backward section at Rs 100 a month (well, a squash ball costs more than that).

While the centre has imparted training to more than five hundred underprivileged children of ragpickers, rickshaw pullers, and watchmen ever since it was set up, it has been instrumental in changing the lives of many at multiple levels and not just excellence in sports.

A rag-picker’s daughter, Priya Gupta, trained by Bajwa, who won the women’s open division of the National Squash Circuit in 2016 and 2017 grabbed the Young India Fellowship at Ashoka University and is now a Mentor with ‘Teach For India’.

As many as sixteen underprivileged students have completed their graduation, thanks to their training in squash.

“Games like squash, tennis, and now padel, are not accessible to the middle class, let alone under-served communities. Around four girls trained by us are pursuing a Bachelor’s degree in Physical Education, which would not have happened, but for Khelshala. We have also produced seven coaches in squash, and tennis who now earn more than Rs 25,000 a month. One of our aims is to help deserving students with coaching qualifications so they can get employment,” Bajwa told.

Stressing that sport empowers people- no matter what background, the centre has now started a kitchen to ensure nutritious meals to its students.

“Conducted the Body Mass Index tests on our students revealed that 45 per cent were under-weight. Also, we have added Padel – a cross between squash & tennis – as an additional sport.”

Currently coaching 75 students, with 60 per cent being girls, Bajwa reveals around six former students are refereeing all over India with one of his students being the Head Coach at Hamdard University in Delhi.

He, however, adds that a sporting career as a professional is 15 years on average, thus education becomes a big part of even a world-class athlete’s life.

“Most of our students end up going to universities. We help and mentor them through their degrees. We pay their fees/tuition if they achieve 70 per cent marks. A set goal works wonders…makes them motivated to do well at college,” said Bajwa, who holds a degree in Avionics Engineering from England’s Southall Technological College.

For someone who still raises money through his cultivated network of NRIs and graduates from the US who want to give back to the sport that gave them so much, it has been hard to get CSR funding and government support. “Perhaps the fact that squash is now part of the 2028 Olympics might help. But frankly, I am not holding my breath,” he smiled.

This 68-year-old coach is also pondering how ‘Khelshala’ will survive him. Right now, his goal and appeal is to find a successor and funding that will sustain what he has built.

“We have proven that sports like squash, tennis, and padel can change lives. It can be a lifetime pursuit, be it to compete or remain healthy,” he added.

Even as players like Saurav Ghosal and Joshna Chinappa are at the twilight of their careers, he wishes them extended playing careers and hopes they make it to the 2028 Olympics. “That said, there are some upcoming players, though I would not like to name them. I pray that they shine when the time comes.”

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Dipika Pallikal shines on mixed day for India in squash

Dipika, who is married to India’s international cricketer Dinesh Karthik, talked about her return to squash after becoming a mother and said it was always her intention to start playing…reports Asian Lite News

India had a mixed day in the 2022 Commonwealth Games squash competitions here on Thursday with Dipika Pallikal Karthik and Saurav Ghosal winning their match while Joshna Chinappa and Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu getting knocked out in the Round of 16 matches at the Birmingham University Hockey and Squash Centre here.

There was success for India in the women’s doubles as Sunayna Kuruvilla and Anahat Singh won their match while the men’s doubles pair of Senthilkumar Velavan and Abhay Singh also advanced to the next stage.

All eyes at the squash court were on the seasoned mixed doubles combine of Dipika Pallikal and Saurav Ghosal after the latter bagged his first singles medal in the Commonwealth Games — a bronze. Dipika is playing her first Commonwealth Games less than a year after giving birth to twin boys. The pair had won the mixed doubles title in the World Doubles in Glasgow where Dipika partnered Joshna Chinappa to the women’s doubles title in April this year.

On Thursday, Dipika and Saurav got the better of Emily Whitlock and Peter Creed of Wales, winning 2-0 (11-8, 11-4) in the rather one-sided encounter.

However, a big setback was the defeat suffered by compatriots Joshna Chinappa and Harinder Pal Singh Sandhu to Donna Lobban and Cameron Pilley of Australia. Joshna and Harinder lost 2-0 (8-11, 8-11) in the Round of 16 match.

In women’s doubles pre-quarterfinals, Sunayna and Anahat got the better of Yeheni Kuruppu and Chanithma Sinaly of Sri Lanka. They won in straight games 11-9, 11-4 to advance to the quarterfinals.

It was quite easy for the men’s doubles pair of Senthilkumar Velavan and Abhay Singh to defeat Luca Reich and Joe Chapman of the British Virgin Islands, winning 11-3, 11-1 in double quick time. However, the focus was on the pair of Dipika Pallikal and Saurav Ghosal and they did not disappoint the crowd as they emerged as winners.

Dipika said they made a tentative start but got their rhythm in time to win.

“The first few points were a bit edgy. It’s my first time on a glass court for four years so I was worried about my length and rhythm, but we made it through. The knockout format of this competition doesn’t give you any chance of a breather. Every point is important,” said Dipika after their match.

Dipika, who is married to India’s international cricketer Dinesh Karthik, talked about her return to squash after becoming a mother and said it was always her intention to start playing.

“When I took a break the plan was always to come back. I was 27 at the time so I knew I had enough years left in me. Me and my husband made the decision to start a family and that’s what we did.

“The plan was always to come back for the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games, but unfortunately the Asian Games were postponed,” said Dipika.

Dipika found success soon after her return as she won the mixed doubles title at the World Doubles along with Saurav and the women’s doubles with Joshna Chinappa.

“I still don’t know how I did it. I had the right people around me, I was very focused and I’m a goal-driven person. I wanted to come back to the squash court after a four-year break, get fit enough for the Commonwealth Games and get selected for the team.

“Most importantly, I want to be able to match the calibre of Saurav and Joshana – her women’s doubles partner] and help them in their quest to win a medal,” she said.

Dipika and Joshna had won the women’s doubles title eight years ago at Glasgow in 2014 and silver medal in Gold Coast in 2018. She and Saurav had won the silver in mixed doubles title in Gold Coast.

So, with so much success, there will be questions about the possibility of a return to the PSA Tour soon but Dipika said she will have to discuss the matter with her husband Dinesh Karthik before taking that decision.

“Returning to the Tour is something that I have to sit and think about. I have to think about my body and having time with the boys. It’s definitely on the radar and I really want to do it. I think I have a few years left in me, but it’s a decision I will only take after the Commonwealth Games.

“With Dinesh being back in the [T20 international] team it leaves a lot more responsibility on my shoulders. I’m not thinking about it, I will make that decision in a week or so.

“For now, it’s just a great honour to be back,” said the 30-year-old.

Whatever the decision she takes, at the moment Dipika is focused on playing in the Commonwealth Games and hoping to convert her twin silvers from Gold Coast to twin gold medals.

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