The Hindu : Sport / Squash : I feel humbled, says Ramachandran

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Wednesday, Oct 22, 2008
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I feel humbled, says Ramachandran

Special Correspondent

CHENNAI: “It is a huge confidence reposed in me by the members of the World Squash Federation. I feel humbled,” said the newly-elected President of the world body, N. Ramachandran on his latest honour, the first for an Indian in a sport that is part of Asian and Commonwealth Games.

Mr. Ramachandran, who flew in on Tuesday from London (the elections took place at the Annual General Meeting of WSF held in Manchester where the World Open was held), said that he had considered the idea of contesting for the world body more than one and a half years ago.

“I was finishing my term as President with the ASF and the legendary Jehangir Khan was finishing his term as President in WSF. Having gained in experience as an administrator at the Asian level and after successfully working for the inclusion of team events in squash (in addition to individual competition) in the next Asian Games in Guangzhou in China, my confidence grew. I knew I was being well received by members,” he said.

Towards new high

Besides, there is this challenge of taking squash to a new high, to the Olympics. “My immediate goal is to achieve that and the work has already begun. Squash is clubbed along with softball, rugby, karate, golf and roller-skating in the shortlist and only one sport will get the nod from IOC. We have a presentation to make in November before the IOC sports commission in Lausanne and by May/June its assessment would be known and then in October in Copenhagen, IOC will make a final decision. It will be hectic times ahead,” Mr. Ramachandran said.

On the changes he planned for world squash, Mr. Ramachandran said, “We hope to sit with WISPA and PSA and work out ways to raise prize money for various tournaments and improve the lot of players the world over.”

As for India, he said “in view of my new position, the understanding arrived at the last annual meeting of SRFI was for Joint Secretary Srivatsan Subramaniam to take over from me as Secretary-General. He has been my understudy and this will help in keeping the continuity going in SRFI.”

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