Squash: World No 2 Gregory Gaultier pushes for the sport's inclusion as an Olympic sport

World No 2 Gregory Gaultier said he wanted squash to be part of the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, in an interaction with the press in Mumbai on Tuesday.

The two-time British and US Open winner played an exhibition game at the Cricket Club of India (CCI) with India's top squash professional Saurav Ghosal, who is currently ranked World No 21.

"Being part of Olympics will be biggest boost for our sport. We still have a chance next year when it will be decided (whether to include squash or not) for the 2020 Games. That's (Olympic berth) the only thing missing from our sport. I am hoping squash makes it as an Olympic sport next year for 2020. The new IOC President (Thomas Bach) has said new sports will be introduced. It will give a big boost as the media would be more interested," Gaultier said.

Ghoshal talked about his expectations with 2016 Olympics."I made the quarters in 2013 and lost to Nick Mathew (of England) in the last 16 in 2014. If I can get back into quarters it will be big step forward. It's not the easiest thing to do as I have to beat one guy in the top eight to make it or even two, depending on the draw. It's still six months away. You can't just land there and say I am going to win it. It's a continuous process. I still have a good four- five years (of squash) left in me," he said.

Interestingly, the IOC have decided to include wrestling in place of squash for the 2016 Rio Olympics, which has left many tongues wagging. Gaultier has also egged on the PSA (Professional Squash Association) to try and make the sport more spectator friendly and help it shed off the 'elitist tag'.

"To be fair the investment PSA did, like asking ex- players to commentate to people who don't know the sport, has improved the situation. The game has also been filmed (televised) from different angles and they have done a good job to show our sport in an improved manner over the last 2-3 years," said Gautlier.

Interestingly Gaultier is trying to break the Egyptian stranglehold over the sport, and funnily laments at not being as 'popular' as football stars in native Epinal. Though he has admitted to people waving and recognising him at airports.

As for the Egyptian monopoly over squash Gultier remarked: "Over the last few years, more and more Egyptians have come to the top. I had to adapt my game as compared to 10 years ago. I had to work even harder. The game has become faster," said the Frenchman, who had played two competitive events in India in the past - at Delhi (Punj-Lloyd) and Chennai (World Team Championship)."

Related: Saurav Ghosal will break into top 10 soon

Sourav Ghosal also chipped in on squash's rise in India and wants it to be accessible to people across all walks of life. Hailing from Kolkata's, Ghosal was a part of the gold medal winning team at last year's Asian Games in Incheon. He wants to concentrate for the World Open tournament in November, in a bid to get back amongst the cream of world squash. 

As for Gaultier, he is well in the 'zone' for now and is firmly focused on winning the two tournaments he has not won so far— the Hong Kong Series and the World Final. He hopes to do so in the near future.