Former squash world number one Peter Nicol started a three-day coaching
clinic today in Mumbai with the goal to lift the physically demanding sport in
India to bigger heights than at present.
The Aberdeen-born Scot, world open champion in 1999, has joined the Mumbai-based
World Squash Academy as its head coach and founder member, it was announced by
its director Amar Haksar at a media conference today.
"I have joined hands with Peter to form the WSA in an
effort to promote the game nationally and internationally by creating development
programmes for those interested in playing competitive and/or recreational squash,"
Haksar said.
"We teach the beginners the fundamentals, while the advanced group are
trained how to cope at the competitive level, sparring with one another and
match play. We also emphasise on fitness," he added.
Nicol will visit India on two or more occasions each year to
conduct specialised and intense clinics for the WSA's competitive players.
The academy's programme is supported by top Indian players like Mahesh Mangaonkar,
Raghav Mehrotra and Vikas Jhangra, according to Haksar.
Nicol, who defeated squash legend Jansher Khan of Pakistan
to win the Mahindra Open here in 1997 and was the world number one for five
years, said that Indian players were talented but it will take some time for
them to reach the top.
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