Chris Walker.
| Photo Credit: Okay. Keerthivasan
“Where are the new white balls, coach?,” Abhay Singh screams to Chris Walker, the Indian squash team’s overseas coach, earlier than his apply periods with Saurav Ghosal on the Express Avenue Mall right here on Sunday.
Walker waits a minute or two and throws a ball at Abhay. Immediately, Walker goes in the direction of Tanvi Khanna, India’s second finest participant, after Joshna Chinappa, to have a dialogue. Later, Joshna begins chatting with the coach after her sparring session with Tanvi.
It’s the pleasant disposition and his capacity to pay attention and supply sagely recommendation that has endeared him to the highest Indian gamers.
Ahead of the Squash World Cup starting right here on Tuesday, the 56-year-old appeared in good spirits, and hoped India, seeded second, would carry out nicely within the event.
“I am excited for the event with a new format of seven points. The intensity and quality in every game will be great. On home turf, I hope the crowd will be behind us. We have a great team with lots of experience,” mentioned Walker in a dialog with The Hindu.
He mentioned the Indians are in prime form and if the gamers can play their finest squash, India can go all the way in which. “I think all our players are in good shape, mentally and physically. We still have to prepare, get ready and perform. If everything goes well, we can go all the way,” mentioned Walker.
On his stint as a coach with the Indian team for one and a half years, Walker mentioned it has been a useful expertise seeing the younger and previous era of gamers on the Indian Squash and Triathlon Academy. “It’s been great to spend time at the National Training Centre and see the young kids. There are several players bubbling underneath the National senior team. The path is presented to the kids, a path the kids can see. There is good potential for the future. Anahat Singh is a great example,” he mentioned.
Walker mentioned he was eager to see the event start with the group rooting for the house team. “I can’t wait to see it full. The atmosphere for the matches is going to be spectacular,” he mentioned.
