Harshit,Janet win squash title

Stamina,power,reflexes,mind games and perhaps all the ingredients of sport were present in what Janet Vidhi and Harshit Kaur were up to until recently.

Stamina,power,reflexes,mind games and perhaps all the ingredients of sport were present in what Janet Vidhi and Harshit Kaur were up to until recently. But squash provided them with a little bit more of every thing and they took up their fathers pastime seriously enough to win the under-15 national title for Delhi last month. Harshit returned with three prizes including gold in the individual under-13 category and the most promising player of the event. Just a year ago,however,Harshit was confused about taking up a sport after trying her luck in horse-riding,swimming,badminton and tennis.

I realised she wasnt enjoying it and started taking her to the squash courts along with me. She developed into a national level player in her age group within a year, Varinder Kumar,Harshits father,says. Today,she is the number one in the country in her category and dares rubbing shoulders with the taller and stronger,even the under-19s. In that,she is also living her fathers dreams. I couldnt continue with cricket because of my temperament and lack of assistance. Thats why I wanted her to take up some sport, Kumar says.

Janet,too,has an inspirational father behind her. From school-level badminton until a couple of years ago to bubbling thoughts of making a career out of squash,the DSOI courts near Dhaula Kuan have been her companion over the last two years. She was playing badminton earlier because the rackets were light. I always wanted her to play squash and waited until she became strong enough to hold a heavy racket, KK Verma,Janets father,says.

India players Deepika Pallikal and Joshna Chinappa were an influence too. Meeting Indias top players and getting tips from them at an early age also contributed to her development, Verma says.

The two combined for all the victories that Delhi registered during its run to the title. Harshit,with her top billing,was a straight favourite but Janet was up against some odds. Returning to the event after a years gap and a twisted ankle had riveted the hopes of the team before a crucial fixture against Aishwarya Kulkarni of Maharashtra. Janet won the tie in the deciding game of the best-of-five format and followed it up with a straight games win.

At one point we thought of taking her out because of her inured ankle. But I backed her merit that took her through the selection process and it paid off, Delhi under-15 coach Nikhil Pant says.

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