This six-year-old certainly won146;t squash father146;s sporting dreams

Very shyly, he says he studies in 2nd A at Jamnabai Narsee, and the big-button-eyed kid knows the word 8216;boast8217; a year or two sooner than perhaps anyone in any division of Class 2 would.

Very shyly, he says he studies in 2nd A at Jamnabai Narsee, and the big-button-eyed kid knows the word 8216;boast8217; a year or two sooner than perhaps anyone in any division of Class 2 would. Veer Chotrani has reasons to know much about the word, though the excessive pride is not out of any vanity but what the 6-year-old reckons is the best shot his father Manish Chotrani conjures on the squash courts.

There8217;s no dearth of pedigree in Mumbai8217;s squash circles, as children follow their parents 8212; mostly club-players at one of the city8217;s affluent facilities 8212; onto the court. Veer doesn8217;t necessarily stand out in the crowd 8212; not just yet 8212; but there are reasons to believe he won8217;t easily fritter away his squash-genes, at least not for lack of effort.

Father Manish, a former national champion, and currently raising his intensity on the court in preparation for the World over-35 Open in New Zealand next month, has long been known for his maniacal work-ethic. City youngsters 8212; even 10 years junior 8212; are still known to come a cropper when playing him, and Veer, Sr Chotrani promises, will be guided along the same path as far as the work-rate is considered in the coming years, if he shows the inclination.

8220;I started squash at 19, which was very late. He looks far better than me, and I8217;ll make sure he doesn8217;t miss out on anything that I did,8221; Manish, a member of Bandra8217;s Otter8217;s Club, says. 8220;It8217;s unbelievable hard-work day in and day out. And frankly, squash needs dedicated training, which can be very boring,8221; he adds. The key then would be just how much Veer can sustain his passion for a sport he is growing up around, having watched his father at it since the time he can remember.

8220;Everything in the house turns into a squash racquet and ball,8221; says Dr Meera Chotrani, who is dealing with another back-swing in the house in toddler daughter Jiya, already joining in at one-and-a-half years. 8220;It8217;s all the father8217;s genes. I8217;m a physiotherapist and my only association with the game is when dealing with injuries,8221; she says. The family is prepared for the spotlight that8217;ll invariably fall on Veer but the mother is sure he will remain unhassled. 8220;There8217;s already some pressure on him, but he8217;s a happy-go-lucky child,8221; she says after his first tournament, where he made the quarters in the U-9 section.

Veer remembers beating a buddy with his drop-shots in his first meet, and losing to another in the next round. 8220;But I like papa8217;s boast best,8221; he repeats, before rushing to watch the big-boys play in an adjacent court. 8220;He8217;s a bit lazy,8221; remarks his stern father, but he is decidedly pleased when adding, 8220;But he loves being on the court, all the time.8221;