New Delhi: Saurabh Ghosal, India’s best squash player, had no chance of playing in his 40s, but the sport’s inclusion in the 2028 Olympics, after decades of waiting, has pushed the 37-year-old to reconsider his future ambitions.
Ghosal’s ability to stay at the top of his game for the most of his professional career, which began as a youngster in 2003, is a testament to his incredible longevity.
The world number 18 has a slew of gold from six Asian Games and was the first Indian to win a singles medal in the highly competitive Commonwealth Games last year.
However, all of his achievements were washed away by the disappointment of squash being rejected for the Olympics for the past 20 years. The announcement on Monday gave relief and ecstasy for Ghosal and his generation, who grew up dreaming of winning a medal at the Summer Games.
It doesn’t get any bigger than the Olympics, so Ghosal is inclined to continue for another five years.
“I need to talk to my team and family about whether it’s a possibility for me to go that far and try to win a medal for India.” It would be the pinnacle of my career,” Ghosal told PTI from Mumbai, immediately after the IOC approved squash as one of five new sports for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“I need to sit down and figure out how to proceed.” There was no way I would have continued at 42 if it hadn’t been for today’s significant development, but now I’m sure there are others who are 40-year-olds like me who would contemplate continuing till the Olympics.” Eight-time world champion Nicol David of Malaysia worked tirelessly to bring squash to the Olympics, but it was not possible in her time. Ghosal is of the same generation as Ghosal and experienced a range of emotions after the sport’s Olympic inclusion was confirmed.
“It’s a mixture of relief and ecstasy.” They say there is a time for everything, and this is most likely the time for It is a sense of relief and ecstasy. In life they said there is time for everything and this is probably the time for squash. I wish I was 10 years younger. We are very appreciate of the IOC and LA28 for giving this vote of confidence. I am sure the sport will put up a great spectacle