PANJIM: Abdus Samad Shah, 15, the top ranked squash player in his age group in the State and among the promising stars in the country, has his eyes on the next Olympics in 2028, if the sport of squash is included in the summer Olympics.
The U-17 champion at the All-Goa Squash Championship is determined to make his mark on the sport in the country and on an international scale.
Father Altaf Shah said, “As a child, Abdus had a lot of energy and was running around the house. To calm him down he was given a mobile phone or TV. Realising it would have a bad effect on him in the future, Altaf decided to take him to play football where he loved watching his son running around the field with passion.”
After a year however, Altaf decided his son had to take up an individual sport where he could work on his capabilities.
He was encouraged by the fact that Vasco where he stayed had a squash court and had players like Yash Fadte, Akanksha Salunkhe and Rahil Pires playing there. There was also a coach Rehman Hubli, who was doing a very good job in training young sportspersons. Altaf took his son and within two weeks he saw his son fall in love with the sport. Abdus said, “I took up the squash game because I found it interesting and different from other sports.”
He said he loved football but wanted to do something on an individual level. For one so young he already has his plans in place. He practices every evening between 6 pm and 8 pm at the SAG facility at Chicalim.
He said that the win at the Goa Squash Championship had been a great boost for him. The sport in Goa did not have a high recall value but thanked the State association for supporting him.
Coach Rehman said, “Abdus is a very active player and has a bright future ahead.”
He said that the young player was very determined and was hoping he would fulfill his potential having trained him for six years. He has hoped to take Abdus to the top four or two in the country this year.
