30 September,2014 08:34 AM IST | | Kashinath Bhattacharjee
The squash ace, who returned from the Incheon Asian Games with a gold and silver medal says not having squash as a sport in Rio Games is frustrating as Olympics is the greatest show on earth
Saurav Ghosal with his Asiad silver medal in squash singles
Kolkata: Kolkata has found its new Saurav, and for a change he is not Ganguly, but Ghosal!
Saurav Ghosal with his Asiad silver medal in squash singles
The squash ace, who returned from the Incheon Asian Games with a gold and silver medal, had a tough time inaugurating Durga Puja pandals and appearing for live TV shows, hours after landing in the city on Sunday night.
"It's been a bit hectic, but one enjoys this new-found stardom. You play for such affection and adulation from your own people," said Ghosal.
He is disappointed that squash is not part of the 2016 Rio Olympics programme. "It is so frustrating for me not to be able to represent India at the Olympics.
I was hoping squash would be included for the Rio Games, but that did not happen. No matter how many tournaments you win, the Olympics remain the greatest show on earth. That, I cannot be a part of the Olympics, frustrates me," he added.
Speaking about his performance in Incheon, Ghosal said: "It would have been great to win the gold in the singles event. But in sport, nothing can be taken for granted and my opponent played exceptionally well to clinch the five-setter."
Not many know that Ghosal was an aspiring cricketer at Arun Lal's academy before he settled for squash. He still finds time to indulge in the sport when he is free from the gruelling training schedule under Malcolm Willstrop at the Pontefract Squash club in West Yorkshire.
