The next big thing in Indian squash is here

Fifteen-year-old Mahesh Mangaonkar believes in love at first sight. It happened to him when he was seven and over these many years, it has just grown deeper. It’s a love story that doesn’t lack drama. He risks losing his love because of financial constraints but has a strong backing of his parents.

This love story, however, doesn’t star a girl. It involves a sport for which he is ready to sacrifice everything. While enjoying playing badminton with his mother Anjali at the Club Aquaria in Borivali, he was intrigued by the sport some of the members were playing inside a glass cubicle. It was the first time he saw someone play squash and that was it – he wanted to play the game. “He was very serious about it (playing squash). We thought, why not give him a chance?” Anjali says.

Since then there has been no looking back. This year, he won the prestigious Junior British Open and on Monday, he left for Chennai to play in the World Junior Championships. A lot has changed for him since he first picked up the squash racquet eight years ago, Mahesh says, except for the love for the game and the excitement when he steps on a court each time.

“It’s a cliché but sport does help you to mature as a person. Squash has given me everything in life. I have my own identity because of this sport,” the Standard X students says. “The fun part is that everyone in school knows me. It’s good to be a celebrity in your school,” he added.

Arranging finance has been the biggest hurdle for Mahesh’s parents. “With no sponsors, it becomes difficult to arrange for his trips, kits and other equipments. For the last five years, we have been investing around Rs 15-20 lakh a year,” Anjali says.

Mahesh has been having training stints with high profile Egyptian coach Amir Wagih, who also coaches Deepika Pallikal, Aditya Jagtap and former world No.1 Amr Shabana. “I have been travelling to Cairo for last three years.

Training in Egypt is completely different as it is the squash powerhouse. In India, I train under Waman Apte,” Mahesh says. Wagih feels Mahesh is the next big thing in Indian squash.

“I love working with him. He has a great attitude on court and always has a smile on
his face. When he gets bigger and taller, I am sure he will be the one to watch out for,” he said. Mahesh’s mother however feels if a source of funding is not found, a promising career will come to a premature halt.