The Harvard team, however, is without two of its top players Laura Gemmell (a top junior player from Canada), who is sick, and June Tiong of Malaysia.
A 14-member Harvard squash team with head coach Satinder Bajwa is on a 13-day, 12-night tour of India. Here they will take on top teams and players as a part of its international learning experience and exposure.
“Each team (men and women) is allowed one international trip once in four years. This time I decided to bring the team to India as I was born in Shimla and wanted them to learn about Indian experience, apart from playing with the highly talented junior players of the country,” Bajwa told DNA on the sidelines of the Indian Squash Academy courts.
The team after completing the first leg at Mumbai they played against a CCI team, will spend three days in Chennai before heading off to Delhi and Chandigarh.
“Sports are very big in American colleges and there are a lot of similarities between Indian and American sports wherein there is emphasis on education. The level of squash in India is very high in the junior category. The Indian junior players just need that extra push to reach professional squash.” Bajwa, who has mentored Pakistan legend Jansher Khan from 1990 till his retirement, remarked.
“In the last decade or so, the juniors have put India on the world squash map with a wealth of talent. I’m willing to work with Squash Racquets Federation of India to help the Indian players attain the extra bit needed to go into the next level so that they can be featured as a leading squash nation on a par with Egypt. I have coached Joshna (Chinappa) during her visits to the US and feel she has the potential to do much better in the circuit,” Bajwa said.
The team members would also involve in community service at Chandigarh. “It is a part of our mission to ensure that players do some community work such as teaching underprivileged children.
This is an educational, awareness cum learning exposure tour for the players. We will be visiting the Taj Mahal in Agra to learn more about history. The community service programme will be held under a programme called Khel Shala.
I left India in 1967, grew up in England and played professional
squash in North America. The Harvard men’s team is due for their tour in two years and hopefully I would be able to bring them to India,” he added.
The Harvard team, however, is without two of its top players Laura Gemmell (a top junior player from Canada), who is sick, and June Tiong of Malaysia.
The team comprises two Indians Alisha Mashruwala, former national junior champion from Mumbai and Vidya Rajan, whose parents are originally from Chennai.
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