India have many upcoming geniuses in squash: Elshorbagy

Kolkata, Sep 26: World No.12 and top-seed here at the Kolkata Intertiol JSW Indian Squash Circuit Marwan Elshorbagy believes that India are producing some real geniuses in squash.

“I have been to India three times, they have so many genius coming up, they need continuous support,” Marwan told IANS on the sidelines of the squash meet.

The Egyptian, who has won two individual and two team world titles, stressed on the Indian players who were shining the brightest at the world stage.

“They (Indians) have Kush Kumar, Mahesh (Mangaonkar), Saurav (Ghosal) who I think is the best Indian player in the history of the game here in the country, and this is his home ground. I hope he gets the support he deserves because he is a great player.

“In women’s competition, you have Josh (Chippa), Dipika (Pallikal) who are good, they have great facilities, good coaches, they all live in India and that shows the coutnry is a great place for squash,” said Marwan.

Asked about his training regime, the 22-year-old said,”During the season , the training is different. During my summer training, I train twice a day, from four to five hours a day, but during the season it depends on the scheduling of games. Depends on how your body is coping with the training, Because u know the best about your body and if you want to keep going.”

“During match days I in train in the morning -two hours and then rest because you have to keep your body ready for the game,” Marwan said.

The squash ace, who trains in England and is still a university student, said the game is very close to making it through to the Olympics adding exhibition matches in a country like India will help in promoting the game.

“Exhibition matches help a lot in promoting the sport, (Gregory) Gaultier, World No.2 came here to play here against Saurav I guess, so the more tourments you have it’s gon help squash. Squash is growing it’s slowly getting there and some day you will find out we will get into the Olympics,” Marwan said.

Marwan is the younger brother of World No.1 squash star Mohamed El Shorbagy and he says both share a very close relationship. Marwan added his elder brother is making life easier for him by teaching him the tricks of the trade.

“We live together in England. We have a very close relationship, we are always there for each other. We support each other, train with each other. It’s an advantage for me to train with World No. 1, he is teaching me a lot , giving me a lot of his experience and making life easier for me.”

“He has played at such high level, he is always pushing me, I am pushing him as well. So we push each other and that brings the best out of us,” added the tall and lanky Egyptian. IANS