Small wonder eyes boy zone

The little champion ordered for a chicken club sandwich at the coffee shop, and CCI regulars stopped by and congratulated her. Father Tushar said, “Because of her performances, others are now willing to play with her. Earlier, I used to be her only sparring partner.”

Alisha’s win at Hong Kong last year, in her first ever under-10 tournament, prompted Tushar and mother Jyoti to ask India coach Cyrus Poncha to oversee her progress. “This year she worked much harder,” Tushar said.

Hong Kong’s Leung Shin Nga would vouch for that. She lost toAlisha in the final at Hong Kong on both occasions and must be sticking pins into a voodoo doll bearing a distinct likeness to Alisha’s pretty frame.

“Forget the girls, I could have won the boys’ final too. I used to beat Marcus Phua, who won the boys under-11 title, 3-0 in practice matches,” said Alisha between mouthfuls of sandwich. She speaks sensibly, without exaggeration, with a reassurance that could only have come from the three title wins.

Her words could ring true at the city’s first open under-11 tournament, at Otters Club next month. As there is no separate event for girls, Alisha will contest with the boys. Mumbai lads, be warned.

The girl who “loves to win international titles” will then compete in Under-13 Nationals at Delhi “to see her standing in her own country”, and is certain to be seeded number one at the Sri Lanka Under-11 Open in October.Till then, homework comes first.