Dipika eyes junior hurrah

Dipika has an added incentive going into these two events. “I’m really looking forward to doing well in these two championships as they will be my last two major tounaments as a junior.

“I reached the semifinals in the last World Juniors. I’m looking to go one better, reach the finals and hopefully bring home the title,” said Dipika, in the city to promote the Sunfeast 10K.

“I’m flying to Egypt tomorrow to train with my (Egyptian) coach Amir (Wagih), and I’m sure the hard work there will pay off. Amir has been a really good coach for me and has helped me open up my game a lot,” the 18-year-old said.

Dipika disagreed with India coach Cyrus Poncha’s prediction that the country’s medal hopes at the Commonwealth Games lie in the doubles category.

“I’m going to look for medals in the singles competition as well. I know we’ve been doing well in doubles, but I think we have a very good chance at winning singles crowns too,” Dipika added.

Sounding upbeat about the future of Indian squash, she went on, “If you look two-three years back, there were not many Indians in the fray. Now though, it’s looking really good, with the junior batch coming up. Also, with the likes of Sourav (Ghosal) and Joshna (Chinnappa) doing well, I’m quite confident of us doing well in the years to come.”

Dipika officially unveiled the Nike performance tee that will be given away to the first 1,500 finishers at next Sunday’s Sunfeast 10K.

“I’m really happy there is such an incentive. Unfortunately, since I’m going to Egypt, I won’t be able to take part.”