but
steadily people began noticing squash. Press coverage increased and money
started coming in.

The tide turned when glass courts were
introduced in India in the early 90’s. Squash was no longer closed
inside four walls. It was now a spectator sport fast, exciting and
thrilling. It started influencing the youngsters and its popularity was on
a rise. SRAM then invited Jansher Khan to play a few exhibition games and
needless to say, the legend drew capacity crowds. Things started to
change for the better. Gone were the days when sponsorship was an issue.
With the introduction of public squash courts, the game was no longer
elitist, meant only for those with membership to premier clubs. Squash was
now a professional sport that the masses took to. Anyone with the passion
for the game had a chance and SRAM made surethey were given the
opportunity to perform at a competitive level.

With every passing year, squash began
gaining popularity and SRAM, on its part, started organising more
tournaments every year with the number crossing 15 in the last few years.
Time had changed and so also people’s perception. The transition was
clear. Squash is no longer an elitist game it has changed in to the
fastest growing sport in the country.

Bombay's first
public squash court is ready and rolling. It is situated at the Andheri
Sports Complex (close to the international airport). The state body, the
Squash Rackets Association of Maharashtra (SRAM) wasted no time in getting
things under way. A free coaching camp has been organised from June 15 to
July 15 with local professional Yaqoob Shaikh.The public can hire rackets
free of charge. The response from the man-on-the-street has