Dhiraj Singh has come a long way in Indian squash. He was a player first, represented India for seven years, then turned coach before taking interest in refereeing and rising there to be in the Asian panel. Currently, he is also an office bearer of the Squash Rackets Federation of India as a joint Secretary in addition to being the Secretary of the Rajasthan Squash Association.
Indeed at age 42, the man has done enough but the road ahead is still there as he aspires for more. Becoming an international Referee (read WSF referee) and see a national champion emerge from Jodhpur where he is based are his goals ahead and his visage reflects a man fully confident of adding that too to his personal file!
Spotted in Chennai at the Indian Squash Academy where the selection trials were on to pick the Indian junior squad for the Asian and world championships, Dhiraj could not help being a touch emotional. “This academy carries loads of memories for me,” he opened up. It was here in 2000 that he had finished third in the national championship, the same year when Ritwik Bhattacharya was the champion. Then again his later career took roots here, he recalled.
The coaching courses and then the swing to refereeing all began here, inspired by Maj S. Maniam, the soon-to-leave Consultant Coach from Malaysia, the national coach Cyrus Poncha and of course the most important of them all Mr N. Ramachandran, the then Secretary-General and the visionary behind the ISA, who guided him to branch out.
Dhiraj has no hesitation in admitting that the ISA has made a revolution for squash in India. Everything has changed from coaching and playing to the way the players carry themselves in tournaments in India and abroad. “In our times, we did not know anything of scientific training techniques. None was there to advise us be it on playing techniques or for preparations prior to matches etc. Today it is so different. Video analysis itself has made such a difference in improving a player's strength. In fact, the whole concept of coaching has undergone a wholesome change,” he said.
An employee of the North Western Railway, Dhiraj is convinced that there is more to come for Indian squash. On his part, he has been finding time in Rajasthan to coach young aspirants in Jodhpur, Ajmer (Mayo college) and Jaipur. The Railway has been kind to him in sparing time for his squash activities and in improving his own stature as a rising referee. Interestingly it was his talent as a young performing tennis player that earned him a sports quota job with the Railways.
“My interest in squash started in my childhood days and this orientation in one racquet sport helped me grasp the nuances in the other (tennis). Since the achievements in tennis was what was recognised then, my good show in various regional and inter-school and later inter-University events came in handy,”he said with a chuckle.
The full involvement in squash came thereafter and the saga continues. An experienced hand now, a squash administrator too , Dhiraj spoke his mind on the issue that is bothering the squash fraternity most: the regular migration of young talents, purportedly for higher studies to places abroad. It is his view that the factor of insecurity of job was one reason that was driving youngsters abroad.
“Squash in India today is a big sport, a medal winner in Asian and Commonwealth Games. If the public sector institutions, banks and others take note of this and provide opportunities for squash players to grow with them there would be a big difference. It is time squash won this recognition in India,” he said with a stress of an appeal. Interesting thoughts that and why not for if sports is all about excellence then squash has lately been a perfect example of that in India. And there is promise of more in the seasons ahead.
