Squash and shopping, a delightful combo

Even the Express Avenue Mall had hosted two World events in 2011 and 2012 while the Falaknuma Palace in Hyderabad also hosted a women’s tournament years ago. Hence in the city, it wasn’t anything different for the players and organisers during the ongoing Asian Championship. But there were others who had not seen the sport and for them it was a big surprise.

For the curious onlookers, the event is a getaway from the scorching heat. Scores of people lined up the corridors on the upper floors to get a glimpse of the proceedings. While the early birds get a seat, which is limited, in the gallery, others watch the game standing. 

Armed with four shopping bags, Nitin Bala walks in with his wife Meera, who instantly recognises Dipika Pallikal Karthik on the court. “I love sports and I keep a tab on many. I just know the names of popular players and if you ask me the rules, I will flunk instantly,” Meera said. And for Nitin, the tournament is a welcome break from carrying heavy shopping bags. “I can finally get a place to sit,” he gushed. 

For someone new to the sport, like Ramesh Srinivasan, it was a chance to understand the sport. “I was going to Wikipedia and a few other squash websites to understand the sport. I am watching it for the first time and I am fascinated by the sport,” Srinivasan said. Sadly, the sport’s existence in itself comes as a surprise to many. 

A group of college girls was debating whether it was ‘indoor tennis’ or ball badminton and one of them in the group, even thought it was a promotional exercise where anyone can go and try a hand at a ‘new sport’.“I only watch cricket and football. I never knew a sport can happen in a mall,” Suganthi said. The organisers feel they have succeeded in taking the sport to the fans. “It isn’t the first time we have organised squash in a mall. Looking at the numbers, I am happy that we have achieved our target. Now, a lot of people who have come here over the last few days know what the sport is all about,” said Poncha, the tournament director said. Poncha is right as there wasn’t an empty seat at the venue.