The fourth day's highlight for India at the XVII Asian Games has got to be the epic battle between world number 16 Saurav Ghosal and Abdullah Al Muzayen from Kuwait, ranked 48, in squash final. The British Junior Open under-19 champion in 2004, Ghosal took the first two sets 12-10 and 11-2 and was just two points away from a straight-set win and first ever gold in squash for India. However, that was not to be. Ghosal was in a position to finish the match but Abdullah, who was hanging in there by a proverbial whisker fought to win the set 14-12. Abdullah went on to win the next two sets 11-8, 11- 9.
But Ghosal deserves full credit for winning the first squash silver for India in an Asian Games. Gold will not elude the professional from Kolkata.
In the absence of Ghosal, India managed to beat Jordan in men's squash competition and will meet China in the next round. In the women's competition in squash, India will play against Hong Kong and Pakistan tomorrow.
Ten Sports did a great disservice to sports enthusiasts in India and Kuwait by not telecasting the thrilling final and instead were showing an inconsequential basketball match when the squash final was in progress. They would have earned the gratitude and respect of millions by responding to viewers' needs than sticking to their own pre-arranged programme schedule.
Abhinav Bindra had a disappointing ending considering his own high standards. The Olympic gold medalist was somewhat out of sorts and was fourth in 10m air rifle event and in danger of missing a podium finish. The Iranian, who was second in the standings, had a poor shot which took him out of the championship. But Bindra could not improve upon his score of 187.1 and had to be content with a bronze behind Chinese Yang with 209.6 and Cao, 208.9. The great champion and the only Indian gold medalist had expressed his annoyance and helplessness in administrative red-tape that was plaguing Indian sports when he landed for the Asiad.
Bindra also helped India win a Team bronze in 10m air rifle event with his colleagues Sanjeev Rajput and Ravi Kumar.
There is a rumor floating around that this may be Bindra's last Asian Games and he might retire. He said he might shoot only for fun also also mentioned he might reassess his position before the qualifiers for Rio Olympics. One hopes the great gold medalist continues to serve India for a long time and then athletes like Bindra take up administration and help turning things around for the benefit of sports persons.
Adille Sumariwala, who was a 100 m racer in 1980 himself in Moscow Olympics and is currently the chef-de- mission for the Games, is a good case of an athlete who has taken up administration. A sportsperson will understand another sportsperson better and this is what Indian sports badly needs.
Turning back to day four, Wushu players Santhoi Devi and Narendra Grewal won two more bronze medals. Santhoi and Grewal lost their semifinal matches in the women's Sanda 52kg category and Men's Sanda 60 kg category respectively.
India men lost to Philippines in basketball 76-85 and have to play against Iran next, another tough opponent in their draw.
Tamil Nadu's weightlifter Sathish Kumar Shivalingam, who won gold at Commonwealth Games at Glasgow, was distinctively unlucky when he took ill and had to withdraw from the Men's 77kg weightlifting event due to cold and fever. It is indeed bad luck for the 22-year-old Shivalingam.
India beat Oman 7-0 in their group men's hockey match. Rupinderpal Singh sustained a serious thigh injury while taking a penalty corner and could be in doubt for the game against Pakistan. Kodagu's drag-flicker VR Raghunath was disappointing today as he missed as many as 8 penalty corners which should worry coach Terry Walsh. What is more worrying is complete absence of moves either through the flanks or by the forwards which India is known for to befuddle opponents' defenders.
By adopting only the western method of long passes and hoping for an infringement within 'D' for penalty corners may not work all the time, especially with burly defenders. Good dribbling in tandem will create better chances to score field goals than relying too much on penalty corners. Oman goalie was very good and frustrated Raghunath time and again. Hopefully India will attack on all cylinders in tougher matches ahead.
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