Asiad Bronze winner Saurav holds out great hope: SRFI

Chennai, Dec 21 (UNI)''I am glad I won the Bronze medal atleast and I was the first Indian to do so'', India's Bronze medallist in the Doha Asian Games in squash, Saurav Ghosal said here today.

Addressing a press conference after being felicitated by Squash Rackets Federation of India (SRFI) Saurav, who is a product of the India Cements sponsored Squash Academy here said when he left for Doha, his target was winning the Gold. ''Not a realistic target'', but that inspired him to do well at Dhoa, he said.

Saurav said his target was to win a Gold next for India, may be in the next Asian Games.

SRFI Secretary General N Ramachandran said Saurav's feat at the Doha Asiad where squash was a medal sport for the first time, has helped SRFI to be elevated to Category A, by way of recognition in the Indian Olympic Association(IOA) and would now be eligible for funding to take part in multinational international competitions.

Hitherto, development of squash and exposure to talented players depended soley on sponsorship. IOA's recogntion means that our players would be able to develop fast and gain exposure with help from the government, he observed.

Earlier, speaking at the felicitation function, Mr Ramachandran recalled how squash had been developing nationwide with its base in the Academy here, thanks to the then Chief Minister M Karunanidhi allotting land to set up the academy in the year 2000.

''He asked me will we be able to win a medal and when I answered confidently in the affirmative the land was allotted'', he recalled.

''In five and a half years of its growth, the Academy has produced two junior British Open champions and Asian junior champions. Now we are thrilled to have the Asian Games Bronze winner in Saurav, who will serve as a source of inspiration to the other trainees in the Academy'', he added.

Sports Development Authority of Tamil Nadu(SDATN) Member Secretary Ms Apoorva, who presided over the function said the state government was confident that squash would definitely bring home one medal from the Doha Games.

The SRFI also honoured Saurav with a cash award of Rs 2.5 lakh for his fine showing in the Asiad.

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