New Delhi, Sept 11:
India’s squash sensation Dipika Pallikal rued the World Squash Federation (WSF) rules which will be followed in the upcoming Asian Games and may also result in an unfortunate quarterfinal face-off against her Commonwealth gold-medalist partner Joshana Chinappa.
As per the tournament rule, two players belonging to the same country can not be drawn in the same half. A similar situation had also arisen during the 2006 Doha Games where Saurav Ghosal beat compatriot Ritwik Bhattacharya to win an assured bronze, which led to allegations of rigging in the draw.
In the September 19-October 4 Incheon Asian Games, 3/4 seeded Pallikal is drawn to play her 5/8 seeded teammate Chinappa in the second round, which happens to be the quarterfinals.
In this scenario, India will be assured of at least a bronze for reaching the semi-finals. But it could have bettered its tally had either of the player reached the semis from the other half in the draw of 32. Dipika, who has been training with Chinappa since the Commonwealth Games, feels the rules should be amended as soon as possible.
“It (rules) is a very sad affair. I and Joshana have been training together and now we are pitted against each other. I really hope that the draws change,” Dipika told reporters here today.
According to the technical handbook for the Games, the squash competition shall be conducted in accordance with the WSF rules and regulations which state “optimum separation of players of the same nationality to be used e.g. drawn in different halves of the draw and if more than two competitors from the same nation, different quarters. Where players are drawn into the same section of a draw they shall be kept apart as far as possible”. India had earlier won a bronze in the team event of the 2010 Guangzhou Asian Games and Dipika hopes to break the jinx by winning medals in the individual category in the upcoming games.
“India had won a bronze in the last Asiad but it was a team event. We are really training hard and this time I really hope India to win medals in the individual events,” said she.
There are four gold medals at stake in squash – men’s and women’s individual and men’s and women’s team event. The Chennai girl feels Malaysia and Hong Kong would pose a tough challenge in the continental Games. “Malaysia and Hong Kong will be there but we are capable of doing well. On a good day anything can happen,” she concluded.
(UNI)
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