Summer Camp Concludes

The Two Month Summer Squash Coaching Camp concluded yesterday – Saturday July 18th, 2009.

The organisers had decided and announced that the last days will be marked by competition and celebrations and that is exactly what happened. The last session begain without the regular routine warm-up and other stroke drills program and the fact that the Coaches EYES were not  tearing down participants backs were visible.

Relaxed, smiling it was nice to see participants try their best at stroking their way to Stardom. Ultimately, though there was only one winner but it was good to see some of the youngsters outdo themselves.

Noticable were performance by Mayur the nephew of Faculty Ms. Monica Katiyar who had traveled all the way from North Carolina to meet with his grandmother. This kid had not any sport leave aside racket sport, which came as a big surprise to the Coach – since it is assumed that growing up in the West does give everyone their space and opportunity to develop. This boy who had been until the previous evening only been dribbling the squash ball – managed to discover how to strike the ball. Mayur played two best of five and one best of three games and despite loosing Won his opponents and the coaches appreciation.

Mayur with Damini

Monika’s daughter who had joined the training rather reluctantly was seen showing distinct signs of improvement and confidence as she eventually beat Mayur to win the Junior’s Title. More than the title what impressed the Coaching Team was her confident carry and evolving interest in coming to the Squash Court and out performing others in certain sections of both physical as well as racket skills. This girl is tall and lanky that gives her great reach and if she continues to work on her game can actually learn it well enough to play regular competition.

Ashish, a student at IIT – Kanpur had been on the train until about couple of hours before the matches started. He came in to play the longest match of the evening the only five setter with Pranjal Joshi. Though Ashish lost the match he showed great fighting skill throughout and perhaps tierd his opponent Pranjal so much that his semi-final match with Prem Prakash turned out to be a one sided affair.

Ashish with Pranjal

Pranjal Joshi – the boy in “pink shorts” could be called the Pink Panther for his ability at lunging. A extremely dedicated and sincere student Pranjal has been the most participative and sporting of the students and therefore was given the award for most improved player of the camp. Pranjal lost the semi-final to the eventual winner and Top Seed Prem Prakash and will share the 3/4 spot with Vishesh Sood the other loosing semi-finalist.

Vishesh Sood who was starting from the lower half of the draw started well be beating the more faniced opponent and regular Kabir Varman. Vishesh has appeared to develop a flair for the game and it shows in his ability to strike the ball on court. Vishesh beat the another youngster Kabir Varman who until recently had been trying too hard to prove himself. Until the Coach sat with him and tried to sort this out and asked him to relax. Kabir only 12 years old went ahead and played some brilliant Squash with opponents 6 – 8 years his seniors.

Vishesh with Kabir

Though Kabir managed only 6th Position he played his best match with Ashish, where he took a game from Ashish. With a lot of physical fitness and sincere effort a t learning the fundamentals Kabir could take to the game in a healthy manner and perhaps in future even try his hand at regular competition.

Vishesh played his next match was with a fresh teenager Varun who received a bye in the first round. Perhaps, this was tough to handle for Vishesh who had already played three games with Kabir earlier. Varun won handsomely and reached the final to play with Prem.

Varun with Vishesh

Prem is a badminton player someone who is agile and more athletic than most in the camp. He had been playing squash before the start of the camp and the camp had only helped him tune up his game better than most. Prem Prakash had also played the U.P. State Trials where he played 3 matches with players better than him and the experience from that was reflective in  his performance in the finals.

Varun, who holds a lot of promise on the other side had his Father watching and was playing under some pressure. Do not know if this was his first final because the occausion of the final gets on to the most of us. First game was contested evenly though Prem won it, the second game appeared to be one sided with Prem winning easily. However, when everyone thought it would be a one-sided affair Varun pulled the third game in style and won it.

The last game saw the momentum with Prem and that meant the first 5-6 points were won by him easily. Varun tried to snatch the advantage back but by then it was too late and Prem Prakash won handsomely 3-1

Prizes for the evening were sponosred by the Coach and it was nice to see that almost everyone went back with souviners like t-shirts and headbands.

Runner-up Juniors – Mayur

Winner – Juniors – Damini

Runner-up Seniors – Varun

Winner Seniors – Prem Prakash

Most Improved Player

 

Together for a Group Photo

 The evening ended with heavy refreshments that included samosa’s, sandwiches, biscuits, chocolate and juice for all.

 

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