A COLLECTION OF ARTICLES WRITTEN BY RAJU CHAINANI.

Late Raju Chainani with his Singapore friend Munir Shah (Former Secretary, Singapore Squash Association).  

BEHIND every great man, they say, there is a woman. The history books give numerous examples of such happenings since the time of Adam and Eve. There have been Solomon and Sheba, Samson and Delilah, Anthony and Cleopatra, Napoleon and Josephine and many others. A case of woman inspiring man to his pinnacle. 

But, does the same apply in reverse?  Specially  when  you look at the sporting achievements of the ladies of the land, there's enough evidence to show that their success has been a result of their own doing. Today, one can say that P.T. Usha has had the guidance of Nambiar and more important has had 'a very considerable amount of political support. Without that would she nave achieved or been where she was is a matter of debate. 

Our squash queen, Bhuvaneshwari Kumari came up the hard way. She switched from tennis at a time when there was room at the top. But, the results to follow showed that she had made a wise decision. Bhuvaneshwari has won the National title thirteen times in a row. Can you thing of any Indian sportswoman who in her field has achieved as much? 

And yet, India's first lady of squash is subjected to the ping-pong battle that always exists in our politbureau. People argue that there is no competition amongst the ladies. Today, it has become a one horse race. The gap between Bhuvaneshwari and the rest reminds me of what Geoff Lewis said when he rode the wonder filly Mill Reef, "Daylight was second".

The politbureau will not tell you that it is their own dog mindedness and lack of fore sight that has hindered the development of ladies squash. Three years ago, Bhuvaneshwari came down to hold a coaching camp for juniors and ladies at the Bombay Gymkhana. It was a sell out. A little organization can help such camps occur again and again. Instead, we have people who love to enjoy their hot seats and eat pan paraag or wear Mickey Mouse shirts. 

TODAY in Bombay, there  exist sufficient facilities in the clubs to promote the game amongst the ladies. The powers-that-be will tell you about shapes and sizes and where the ladies changing room is but that's about all. 

Coming back to Bhuvaneshwari. Here is a prime example of a dedicated sportswoman who has let her racket to do the talking. She has been snubbed by the officials and for the record, was recommended for the Arjuna award only after her eighth national victory. Last year, she won the Kenyan Ladies Open, the first Indian to achieve an international success. Surely, it's time to recognize these achievements. 

Backing her all the way have been her father Yashwant Singh, a highly respected tennis administrator, and her brother Yogendra Singh, a former National level squash player. There were no Nambiars or political backing. Instead, it was a hard grind to get to a level where even in the men's event she causes a flutter. The Indian sportswomen owe their achievements to them selves. They are looked upon as also rans with the men taking the limelight. But can this go on forever? There comes a time when even the champions get fed up with officialdom. 

Bhuvaneshwari was livid with the National body last year for their delaying tactics. She let fly and "Operation cover-up" began in great haste. The under water queen, Anita Sood is another who has choice words for the Ganga Dinz. 

From Indian ladies squash and, indeed, any other discipline where the fair sex compete, it can be said that behind any champion there is usually a paanchewing ignorant official. He or she is looking for ways to lower the colors of the ladies. 

"Grasshopper", said the wise old man, would you prefer brains and brawn or boobs and beauty?" Master, that is a leading question. I'll have to scratch my brains for an answer."

"Grasshopper, you never had any. You don't know the difference between Oscar Wilde and Kim Wilde. So long as you get a free trip abroad, you couldn't care less if the ladies were cute, cuddly or cockeyed.” 

It’s sad but such is the state of our sport. Where power maniacs and egos matter most. Where favorites are in, real performers have to beg and plead. “ Did you known about the rather well built lady who was chosen as chief official of the team?”,asked the wise old man, “She was so well stacked that she could win the National Front award.