Indian squash’s golden girl

Chennai

Chennai: Dipika Pallikal is the first Indian woman squash player to break into the top 10 in the WSA rankings. She won 3 WISPA tour titles in 2011 that saw her attain a career best ranking of 13. In the 20th Commonwealth Games held in 2014, Dipika, along with Joshna Chinappa, won gold in the squash womenís doubles event. To date, she has won the German Open, Dutch Open, French Open, Australian Open and Scottish Open on the European Junior Squash Circuit.

"Apart from the fact that sport keeps you fit and in shape, it helps strengthen you not just physically, but mentally, too. Being on tour most of the year keeps you away from the family, but sport has kept me mentally strong. It has helped me develop a positive attitude under pressure. Sport has definitely taught me to be more patient. Traveling to different countries has given me the exposure to experience different cultures and traditions around the world. Meeting new people through sport widens your horizons, it offers you different perspectives and helps you grow. In India it is a challenge for girls to get into sports. But with parents being more proactive and thinking positively these days, we see even people from the villages putting their girl children into sport, which is a welcome sign. To every person who takes to sport -- dream big, your goal is just a step away."


As told to Swati Amar